Golden Potlatch: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Circa 1911 Golden Potlatch card .jpg|thumb|Golden Potlatch card showing images of [[Chief Seattle]] and his daughter [[Princess Angeline]].]] |
[[File:Circa 1911 Golden Potlatch card .jpg|thumb|Golden Potlatch card showing images of [[Chief Seattle]] and his daughter [[Princess Angeline]].]] |
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The '''Golden Potlatch''' (or '''Potlatch Days''') was a festival in [[Seattle]], [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]], [[USA]] in 1911–1914 and 1935–1941. The |
The '''Golden Potlatch''' (or '''Potlatch Days''') was a festival in [[Seattle]], [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]], [[USA]] in 1911–1914 and 1935–1941. The idea of an annual Festival in Seattle followed the success of the [[Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition]] in 1909. The 'Golden Potlatch' event was conceived to keep Seattle in the public eye.<ref name=Wilma /> Seattle wanted to have an event that would challenge the [[Portland Rose Festival]] and gain national attention.<ref name=Seafair>unknown, [http://www.seattlecommodores.com/commodorehistory.html Seattle Seafair Commodores History], Accessed online 2009-05-05.</ref> Seattle’s Potlatch festival was also a way for a certain class of Seattleites—specifically, the city’s new commercial elite—to tell stories about the city and its history. Called a “triumph of symbolism” by one observer, the Potlatch appropriated Native imagery to create a regional vision of civic development.<ref name=Thrush>Col Thrush, [http://uwashingtonpress.wordpress.com/reviews/ Excerpt from Coll Thrush’s Native Seattle, 2007. Accessed online 2009-05-05.</ref> |
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The name derived from the ''[[potlatch]]'', the [[Chinook Jargon]] name of a festival ceremony that had been practiced by [[indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast|indigenous peoples of the region]]; "golden" reflected Seattle's role in the [[Klondike Gold Rush]] in the late 1890s.<ref name=Wilma>David Wilma, [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=2422 Seattle holds Golden Potlatch festival beginning on July 17, 1911], HistoryLink, 2001-05-12. Accessed online 2009-05-05.</ref> |
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===First Golden Potlatch, July 17-21, 1911=== |
===First Golden Potlatch, July 17-21, 1911=== |
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[[File:Potlatch19110019.jpg|thumb|100px|Golden Potlatch logo, Kopf Bros. Pub. 1911]] |
[[File:Potlatch19110019.jpg|thumb|100px|Golden Potlatch logo, Kopf Bros. Pub. 1911]] |
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| ⚫ | The first Golden Potlatch took place July 17–21, 1911. It used Klondike imagery: the presiding figure was King D’Oro, the avatar of golden wealth, who arrived on the Portland with a retinue of hoary prospectors and rambunctious dancing girls.<ref name=Thrush /> Roughly 300,000 people attended parades, concerts, [[automobile]] races up [[Queen Anne Hill]], and a flight by an [[airplane]] piloted by [[United States Navy|Navy]] pilot by Lt. [[Eugene Ely]]. There was also a reenactment of the 1897 arrival of the ''Portland'' with its legendary "ton of gold". |
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Water events have always been a feature of Golden Potlatch (and later [[Seattle Seafair]] events. The first Golden Potlatch in 1911 had a small United States Navy Fleet; the British sent a sloop of war. There was even a hydroplane exhibition run by the “Triad" owned by [[Glenn Curtiss]] of airplane fame. <ref name=Seafair /> |
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| ⚫ | The first Golden Potlatch took place July 17–21, 1911. Roughly 300,000 people attended parades, concerts, [[automobile]] races up [[Queen Anne Hill]], and a flight by an [[airplane]] piloted by [[United States Navy|Navy]] pilot by Lt. [[Eugene Ely]]. There was also a reenactment of the 1897 arrival of the ''Portland'' with its legendary "ton of gold". |
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In 1911, Robert A. Reid, Seattle, published a number of Postcards as part of his Pacific Northwest Photographic Series to publicize the Golden Potlatch. These postcards identified Seattle as a destination available by 'sea, land and rail'. |
In 1911, Robert A. Reid, Seattle, published a number of Postcards as part of his Pacific Northwest Photographic Series to publicize the Golden Potlatch. These postcards identified Seattle as a destination available by 'sea, land and rail'. |
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The Hopf Bros Co. of Seattle published another series of postcards by Edward H Mitchell. These postcards focused on scenic views such as Mt Rainier from the West Short of Lake Washington; historic views such as Totem Pole, Pioneer Square; commercial aspects of Seattle including Colman Dock and Grand Trunk Pacific Dock; and downtown street views such as First Avenue looking north, Second Avenue looking south from Spring Street, Second Avenue Looking North, Third Avenue looking north, Fourth Avenue looking south and Pike Street looking East. |
The Hopf Bros Co. of Seattle published another series of postcards by Edward H Mitchell. These postcards focused on scenic views such as Mt Rainier from the West Short of Lake Washington; historic views such as Totem Pole, Pioneer Square; commercial aspects of Seattle including Colman Dock and Grand Trunk Pacific Dock; and downtown street views such as First Avenue looking north, Second Avenue looking south from Spring Street, Second Avenue Looking North, Third Avenue looking north, Fourth Avenue looking south and Pike Street looking East. |
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=== Second Golden Potlatch, July 15-20 1912=== |
=== Second Golden Potlatch, July 15-20 1912=== |
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[[File:Potlatch19120003.jpg|thumb|100px|Golden Potlatch bug, Kopf Bros. Pub. 1912]] |
[[File:Potlatch19120003.jpg|thumb|100px|Golden Potlatch bug, Kopf Bros. Pub. 1912]] |
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The second Golden Potlatch was held July 15-20 1912. Once again postcards were distributed as 'Official Invitation to Seattle's Golden Potlatch'. |
The second Golden Potlatch was held July 15-20 1912. Once again postcards were distributed as 'Official Invitation to Seattle's Golden Potlatch'. The Klondike image of D’Oro was succeeded by Hyas Tyee Kopa Konoway (the Big Bug).<ref name=Thrush /> "The Golden Potlatch," was promoted as a 'free' feast spread for the whole world and its brother. On the water, Jean Romano's wingless hydroplane, which looked like a giant spider, thrilled spectators with a 30 M.P.H. exhibition run off Harbor Island.<ref name=Seafair /> |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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File:Potlatch19120001.jpg |
File:Potlatch19120001.jpg |
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On July 19, 1913, Mayor George Cotterill, responding to street riots the previous evening during the Potlatch Days festival, declared an emergency, and assumed direct control of the police, closed saloons, banned street speakers, and attempted to temporarily close down The Seattle Times, which he believed provoked the riots.<ref name=McRoberts3>Patrick McRoberts, [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=2542 Mayor Cotterill declares state of emergency in midst of Potlatch riots on July 19, 1913], HistoryLink, 2000-07-13. Accessed online 2009-08-23.</ref> |
On July 19, 1913, Mayor George Cotterill, responding to street riots the previous evening during the Potlatch Days festival, declared an emergency, and assumed direct control of the police, closed saloons, banned street speakers, and attempted to temporarily close down The Seattle Times, which he believed provoked the riots.<ref name=McRoberts3>Patrick McRoberts, [http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=2542 Mayor Cotterill declares state of emergency in midst of Potlatch riots on July 19, 1913], HistoryLink, 2000-07-13. Accessed online 2009-08-23.</ref> |
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Despite the unrest on land, the 1913 Golden Potlatch staged three hydroplane races off Madrona Park: a 15 mile race for 16-footers, a 20 mile contest for 26 footers and a 30 mile free for all.<ref name=Seafair /> |
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=== Fourth Golden Potlatch 1914=== |
=== Fourth Golden Potlatch 1914=== |
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[[File:Potlatch0001 2.jpg|thumb|50px|Golden Potlatch, 1914]] |
[[File:Potlatch0001 2.jpg|thumb|50px|Golden Potlatch, 1914]] |
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The 1914 Potlatch suffered as a result of the previous year's riots. The coming of [[World War I]] in 1914 marked the end of the Potlatch until the mid 1930's. |
The 1914 Potlatch suffered as a result of the previous year's riots. Potlatch was scaled back to only four days and received only subdued press coverage.<ref name=Thrush /> The coming of [[World War I]] in 1914 marked the end of the Potlatch until the mid 1930's. |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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File:Potlatch0001.jpg |
File:Potlatch0001.jpg |
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Revision as of 07:36, 23 August 2009
The Golden Potlatch (or Potlatch Days) was a festival in Seattle, Washington, USA in 1911–1914 and 1935–1941. The idea of an annual Festival in Seattle followed the success of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1909. The 'Golden Potlatch' event was conceived to keep Seattle in the public eye.[1] Seattle wanted to have an event that would challenge the Portland Rose Festival and gain national attention.[2] Seattle’s Potlatch festival was also a way for a certain class of Seattleites—specifically, the city’s new commercial elite—to tell stories about the city and its history. Called a “triumph of symbolism” by one observer, the Potlatch appropriated Native imagery to create a regional vision of civic development.[3]
The name derived from the potlatch, the Chinook Jargon name of a festival ceremony that had been practiced by indigenous peoples of the region; "golden" reflected Seattle's role in the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890s.[1]
First Golden Potlatch, July 17-21, 1911
The first Golden Potlatch took place July 17–21, 1911. It used Klondike imagery: the presiding figure was King D’Oro, the avatar of golden wealth, who arrived on the Portland with a retinue of hoary prospectors and rambunctious dancing girls.[3] Roughly 300,000 people attended parades, concerts, automobile races up Queen Anne Hill, and a flight by an airplane piloted by Navy pilot by Lt. Eugene Ely. There was also a reenactment of the 1897 arrival of the Portland with its legendary "ton of gold".
Water events have always been a feature of Golden Potlatch (and later Seattle Seafair events. The first Golden Potlatch in 1911 had a small United States Navy Fleet; the British sent a sloop of war. There was even a hydroplane exhibition run by the “Triad" owned by Glenn Curtiss of airplane fame. [2]
In 1911, Robert A. Reid, Seattle, published a number of Postcards as part of his Pacific Northwest Photographic Series to publicize the Golden Potlatch. These postcards identified Seattle as a destination available by 'sea, land and rail'.
The Hopf Bros Co. of Seattle published another series of postcards by Edward H Mitchell. These postcards focused on scenic views such as Mt Rainier from the West Short of Lake Washington; historic views such as Totem Pole, Pioneer Square; commercial aspects of Seattle including Colman Dock and Grand Trunk Pacific Dock; and downtown street views such as First Avenue looking north, Second Avenue looking south from Spring Street, Second Avenue Looking North, Third Avenue looking north, Fourth Avenue looking south and Pike Street looking East.
Second Golden Potlatch, July 15-20 1912
The second Golden Potlatch was held July 15-20 1912. Once again postcards were distributed as 'Official Invitation to Seattle's Golden Potlatch'. The Klondike image of D’Oro was succeeded by Hyas Tyee Kopa Konoway (the Big Bug).[3] "The Golden Potlatch," was promoted as a 'free' feast spread for the whole world and its brother. On the water, Jean Romano's wingless hydroplane, which looked like a giant spider, thrilled spectators with a 30 M.P.H. exhibition run off Harbor Island.[2]
Third Golden Potlatch, July 17-19 1913
The 1913 started with high hopes but was marred by the "Potlatch Riots". On the first day of the Potlatch some soldiers and sailors were involved in a fistfight when an IWW International Workers of the World speaker supposedly 'insulted their uniforms'[1][4].
A newspaper story the next day further inflamed the situation resulting in soldiers and sailors aided by civilians looting and burning the offices of the IWW and the Socialist Party. A rear admiral in charge of the reserve fleet expressed regret about the outbreak and said he had dispatched a patrol to round up the troublemakers. [5]
On July 19, 1913, Mayor George Cotterill, responding to street riots the previous evening during the Potlatch Days festival, declared an emergency, and assumed direct control of the police, closed saloons, banned street speakers, and attempted to temporarily close down The Seattle Times, which he believed provoked the riots.[6]
Despite the unrest on land, the 1913 Golden Potlatch staged three hydroplane races off Madrona Park: a 15 mile race for 16-footers, a 20 mile contest for 26 footers and a 30 mile free for all.[2]
Fourth Golden Potlatch 1914
The 1914 Potlatch suffered as a result of the previous year's riots. Potlatch was scaled back to only four days and received only subdued press coverage.[3] The coming of World War I in 1914 marked the end of the Potlatch until the mid 1930's.
Potlatch Celebrations 1935 - 1941
The Potlatch festival was revived in 1935. In 1939, the festival celebrated the Washington State Golden Jubilee 1889 - 1939 and was billed as the Seattle Potlatch of Progress and Fleet Week. Unfortunately the Festival was again terminated by war, this time by the U.S. entry into World War II in 1941
Notes
- ^ a b c David Wilma, Seattle holds Golden Potlatch festival beginning on July 17, 1911, HistoryLink, 2001-05-12. Accessed online 2009-05-05.
- ^ a b c d unknown, Seattle Seafair Commodores History, Accessed online 2009-05-05.
- ^ a b c d Col Thrush, [http://uwashingtonpress.wordpress.com/reviews/ Excerpt from Coll Thrush’s Native Seattle, 2007. Accessed online 2009-05-05.
- ^ Patrick McRoberts, Fistfight kicks off Seattle Potlatch riots on July 17, 1913, HistoryLink, 2000-07-13. Accessed online 2009-08-23.
- ^ Patrick McRoberts, Potlatch rioters sack IWW and Socialist headquarters on July 18, 1913, HistoryLink, 2000-07-13. Accessed online 2009-08-23.
- ^ Patrick McRoberts, Mayor Cotterill declares state of emergency in midst of Potlatch riots on July 19, 1913, HistoryLink, 2000-07-13. Accessed online 2009-08-23.