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Interior of a longhouse, Neah Bay, ca. 1900
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| Title | Interior of a longhouse, Neah Bay, ca. 1900 |
| Photographer | McCurdy, James G. |
| Studio Location | United States--Washington (State)--Olympic Peninsula |
| Date | ca. 1900 |
| Notes | This rare photograph of the inside of a traditional Northwest Coast longhouse provides us with a glimpse of the accouterments of everyday life. The smoke holes in the roof are open to let in light, and we are able to see fish drying on racks near the ceiling, rolled-up sails suspended from ropes, sealskins full of oil, various pots, baskets, a washboard and cattail mats. Traditional Makah houses were constructed of split cedar planks placed horizontally and lashed to upright poles with lengths of twisted cedar rope. Sleeping platforms lined the walls and each family had its own cooking place on the earthen floor.
[SHS 1180]
James McCurdy was born in Port Townsend, on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, in 1872. He spent many years of his childhood in Neah Bay and returned to Port Townsend in 1894. McCurdy was a banker, author, and active photographer, especially of the people and maritime activities of Washington's Olympic Peninsula. He died in 1942. (Charles T. Hommel, A Guide to Historical Photograph Collections in Seattle, p. 33.) |
| Subjects | Makah Indians--Structures
Makah Indians--Subsistence activities
Houses--Washington (State)--Neah Bay
Interiors--Washington (State)--Neah Bay
Longhouses |
| Location Depicted | Washington (State)--Neah Bay |
| Object Type | Glass negatives |
| Physical Description | Glass negatives; good |
| Negative Number | MOHAI 1955.970.470.10 |
| Collection | McCurdy Collection |
| Repository | Museum of History and Industry, Seattle
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| Acquisition | Gift; acc. no. 1955.970.470.10 |
| Restrictions | http://content.lib.washington.edu/aipnw/copyrights.html |
| Transmission Data | Image/JPEG |
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