<p>The first Founders' Day Ball took place on November 13, 1911, on the 60th anniversary of the Denny Party landing at Alki beach. From its inception the event was a historical costume ball, hosted by Emily and Morgan Carkeek at their First Hill mansion. Guests were asked to donate artifacts or documents related to Seattle history, which led to the establishment of the Seattle Historical Society (SHS) in 1914. After Emily Carkeek's death in 1926, SHS evolved from a private club into a more broadly-based civic organization. Beginning in 1945, the annual Founders' Day celebrations were public luncheons co-sponsored by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Meanwhile, SHS's collection grew and in 1952 the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) was built in the Montlake neighborhood to house and display the collection.
This photo shows a group of Seattle women posing in historical costumes in front of Carkeek mansion at the Founders' Day Ball. </p>
<p>Stamped on verso: Webster &amp; Stevens Commercial Photographers, 436 Arcade Annex, Seattle, Washington

Identifications included on a separate sheet: 1. Mrs. David Kellog; 2. Mrs. E. L. Blaine; 3. Mrs. Livingston B. Stedman; 4. Mrs. Wm [William] (Flora) Prosser; 5. Mrs. James B. Howe; 6. Mrs. Charles H. (Alice W.) Rollins; 7. Mrs. George Donworth; 8. Mrs. W. D. Perkins; 9. Mrs. Geo. [George] Heilbrau; 10."; 11. Mrs. Maurice McMicken; 12. Mrs. John Collins; 13. Mrs. Thomas Green; 14." 15. Mrs. Hawley; 16. Mrs. Mills; 17. Mrs. M. J. Carkeek; 18. Mrs. Peyre [Pierre] Ferry; 19. Miss Ada Hanford; 20. Mrs. Wm [William] Redfield; 21. Miss Edith Young; 22." 23. Mrs. Samuel Cranford; 24. Mrs. Thos. [Thomas] Pruech; 25. Miss Stella Webster " 26. Mrs. H. H. Gowen; 27. Mrs. Chas. [Charles] Burnett (May Goodfellow); 28." 29. Mrs. N. H. Latimer; 30. Mrs. Baxter; 31. Mrs. Geo. [George] Kittenger; 32. Mrs. Frank Black; 33. Mrs. Harriet Foster Beecher; 34. Mrs. A. W. Engle " 35." 36. Mrs. H. </p>
<ul><li>Subjects (LCTGM): Founders' Day commemorations--Washington (State)--Seattle; Masquerades--Washington (State)--Seattle; Seattle Historical Society</li></ul>
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Webster &amp; Stevens</div>
Taken on 1 November 1914
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/imlsmohai/search">Museum of History and Industry</a>