Mary Louisa Allen photographs of the Lewis and Clark Exposition
Scope and Contents
Collection consists of black and white photographs and corresponding negatives taken by amateur photographer Mary Louisa Allen in 1905 of the Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland, Oregon. The snapshot style photographs primarily depict statuary and buildings at the exposition, including exhibition halls and restaurants. They also include several street scenes of people attending the exposition.
Included in the collection are 60 black and white prints and 58 corresponding nitrate negatives which were cataloged by OHS as OrHi 62815-62872. The collection also includes 1 acetate copy negative (OrHi 62833-a) which was created for preservation purposes. The original nitrate negative (OrHi 62833) is also present in the collection. Five of the prints are enlarged duplicates. Three of the negatives (OrHi 62819, OrHi 62821, and OrHi 62837) do not have corresponding prints.
Dates
- Creation: 1905
Creator
- Allen, Mary Louisa, 1843-1905 (Photographer, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Materials in this collection are in the public domain.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder in shared box; 59 negatives in shared box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Collection consists of black and white photographs and negatives taken by amateur photographer Mary Louisa Allen in 1905 of the Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland, Oregon, primarily depicting buildings and statuary.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Negatives are not available for direct access. Contact library staff for assistance.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Major William A. Bentson, October 1981 (Lib Acc. 15676, Photo Acc. 981D147).
Processing Information
Collection contains material that was previously part of Photo File #652 at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library. Collection title was, "Major William A. Bentson photographic collection on the Lewis and Clark Exposition," prior to 2026.
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Mary Louisa Allen photographs of the Lewis and Clark Exposition
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Laura Cray
- Date
- 2012; revised 2026
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written English.
Revision Statements
- 2026: Finding aid revised in 2026 to add attribution and biographical information for the collection photographer, Mary Louisa Allen.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org