Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Holland/New Library
(509) 335-6691
Heritage and History of the Plateau Peoples: Featured Collections
The seven collections featured here represent just a small sample of the resources available in MASC. They consist primarily of manuscripts (letters, Indian agency records, and other written documents), photographs, and maps; some of the images have also been digitized and are available online. To find information about other collections, please consult our website or contact us for assistance.
William Compton Brown Papers, 1830-1963
Collection number: Cage 196
Linear feet of shelf space: 10.5
Collection finding aid available online:
William Compton Brown (1869-1963) moved to the PacificCoast in 1897, traveled extensively in the area, and set up a law practice in Republic, Washington. He became the CountyAttorney in Ferry County, Washington in 1903. He became a Judge of the SuperiorCourtofFerryCounty in 1904, and nearly 26 years later he became a Judge of the SuperiorCourtofOkanoganCounty. He retired in 1946, and died in 1963.
Brown authored The Indian Side of the Story, a book published in 1961. His papers include a great deal of material related to this book, as well as correspondence, diaries, research notes, photographs and other documents relevant to research about Plateau peoples.
Lucullus V. McWhorter Papers, 1848-1945
Collection number: Cage 55
Linear feet of shelf space: 26
Collection finding aid available online:
Lucullus McWhorter (1860-1944) was an author, amateur historian, linguist, anthropologist, and rancher. He moved to the Yakima RiverValley in 1903, and remained there for the rest of his life.
The McWhorter Papers are a particularly rich resource for researchers investigating the history of Plateau peoples. Among the many topics represented are Indian-government relations in Eastern Washington, the Nez Perce War of 1877, the Yakima Indian War of 1855-1858, regional tribal conflicts, and McWhorter's important relationships with specific individuals, notably Yellow Wolf and the author Mourning Dove.
McWhorter's papers reflect his lifelong interest and involvement in American Indian concerns; he accumulated books, extensive correspondence, research notes, photographs, and other documents. The manuscript material is included in this collection. His books have been separately cataloged as the "McWhorter Collection" in MASC, and his photographs (described below) are in collection number PC 85.
William Parkhurst Winans Papers, 1815-1917
Collection number: Cage 147
Linear feet of shelf space: 5
Collection finding aid available online:
William Parkhurst ("Park") Winans (1836-1917) traveled west from Illinois in 1859, and in 1861 moved to FortColville. He held various government positions, both appointed and elected, serving as auditor of SpokaneCounty, clerk for the U.S. District Court, Sub-Indian Agent, and member of the Washington Territorial legislature. He engaged in various business enterprises in Colville and Walla Walla, where he moved in 1874. The material related to Winans' activities as Sub-Indian Agent includes an 1870 census of Indian tribes in Northeastern Washington, including the Okanagans, Calispels (or Pend’ Oreilles), San Poils and Nespelems, Senijexsees or Lakes, Wenatchees and Isle d'Pierres, Mishouies, Spokanes, and the Swielpees (or Colvilles). This material includes detailed verbatim reports on speeches given by chiefs in tribal councils, descriptions of the social and economic situation of the region’s tribes, and notes on how the Indians viewed white people and white society.
John McAdam Webster Papers, 1869-1917
Collection number: Cage 145
Linear feet of shelf space: 1.5
Collection finding aid available online:
John McAdam Webster (1849-1921) served as Superintendent of the Colville Indian Agency (1904-1912) and Superintendent of the Spokane Reservation (1913-1914) after his Army career was cut short by an injury.
The Webster Papers consist primarily of correspondence and reports (including census reports), along with news clippings and photographs.
Lucullus V. McWhorter Photographs of the Nez Percé and Yakama,
1876-1950
Collection number: PC 85
Number of boxes: 20
Collection finding aid available online:
Photographs and glass negatives of the Nez Percé and Yakama peoples complied by McWhorter for research purposes and inclusion in his books.
Frank Fuller Avery Photographs from the Colville Indian Agency,
1901-1916
Collection number: PC 19
Number of images: 894
Collection finding aid available online:
Images from this collection also available online:
A collection of 894 glass negatives (for which contact prints are available) taken during the period of 1901-1916 when Avery was assigned to the Colville Indian Agency. The images record agency headquarters and personnel with numerous photographs of Colville Indian farmers and school children. There are several images of John McAdam Webster, superintendent of the Colville Indian Agency; scenes of eastern Washington (State); and family photographs of Avery's wife Anna, and his two sons, Warren and Frank.
Digital Collection:
Early Washington Maps
Images available online:
A web site with more than 925 historic maps available in digital format with links to high-resolution MrSID files. The project was created in collaboration with WSU Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, the University of Washington Libraries, and the Tacoma Public Library.
For further information
Resources in Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Researchers looking for historical information about Plateau peoples will find many useful resources in Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC) at WashingtonStateUniversity. Collections in MASC consist of records and documents including manuscripts, photographs, audio and video tapes, films, and printed and published materials (books, maps, broadsides, etc.).
These collections are open to the public for use in the MASC reading room; please contact us or see our website for information about access, or visit MASC during our normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Materials Related to Plateau Peoples
Many MASC collections contain useful information for researchers investigating historical and cultural questions. Books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, sound recordings and other materials offer evidence of past activities, concerns, and interests of native people of the Pacific Northwest, including Plateau people, beginning in the early 19th century.
Finding Collections in MASC
The best tool for discovering MASC collections is our website:
Use the search function, or browse by subject or collection name. Information about manuscript and photograph collections, as well as books, maps, and other printed material is also included in the WSU Libraries' online catalog, Griffin, available here:
For information about gifts, contributions, and general policies, please contact:
Laila Miletic-Vejzovic, Head, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Email:
Phone: (509) 335-2739