National Anthropological Archives

Guide to Drawings of Fort Simpson, British Columbia and Tsimshian subjects, possibly by James G. Swan, circa 1880-1883

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.MS76608
Creators:
Swan, James G., 1818-1900
Dates:
circa 1880 - 1883
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
9 Drawings (visual works)
pencil and ink
Repository:
Container:
75085 / 76603 / 76607 / 76608
4

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection consists of nine (9) drawings of Fort Simpson (also known as Port Simpson and Lax-Kwʼalaams) and Tsimshian subjects. The drawings have been attributed to James G. Swan on basis of the handwritten captions and subject matter. Swan was at Fort Simpson in 1883.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Biographical Note

Biographical Note
James Gilchrist Swan (1818–1900) was an American writer, artist, collector of Native American artifacts, and political advisor who is known for his study of indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Born in Massachusetts, he spent most of his adult life in the Washington Territory. His prolific writing documented both pioneer society and indigenous cultures. The Smithsonian Institution hired Swan to collect Pacific Northwest Coast artifacts for the 1876 world's fair in Philadelphia, the 1884 fair in London, and the 1893 exposition in Chicago. Swan died in Port Townsend in 1900.

Administration

Custodial History
The drawings were found in the USNM collections. No accession number has been located. They were transferred from the object collections of the Department of Anthropology to the National Anthropological Archives in 1968.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Drawings of Fort Simpson, British Columbia and Tsimshian subjects, possibly by James G. Swan (MS 76608), National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Use
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
Contact the repository for terms of use.

More Information

Local Numbers

Local Numbers
MS 76608
OPPS NEG 45,604-c--f

Variant Title

Variant Title
View of Fort Simpson (British Columbia), and Indians


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Works of art Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Tsimshian Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
British Columbia Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
North America Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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