Guide to the Martin Kilian photographs
circa 1921-1925
Collection number: HMC-1393.
Creator: Kilian, Martin.
Title: Martin Kilian photographs.
Dates: circa 1921-1925.
Volume of collection: 0.01 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in this collection are in English.
Collection summary: Photographs of a mountaineering expedition.
Biographical note:
Martin Kilian was born in Seattle, Washington in 1897 and first came to Alaska in 1915. That same year, he joined Vilhalmur Stefansson’s expedition to Northern Alaska. He later worked for the National Forest Service in Southeast Alaska and as a Territorial Game Warden near Cordova. Kilian returned to Washington State in 1928 and died there in 1977.
Collection description:
The collection consists of 52 black and white prints and one digital print of a colorized photograph of Martin Kilian. The black and white photographs depict a mountaineering expedition, including climbing, group shots of the climbers, and tents, as well as scenery such as mountains and glaciers. The location where the photos were taken is unidentified but may have been in the Cordova area or Southeast Alaska.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged in the order in which it arrived at the Archives.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Copyright to materials in the collection is unknown. Please contact Archives & Special Collections for more information.
Preferred citation: Martin Kilian photographs, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory:
The Alaska Daily Empire. “New Game Warden Is Appointed by Bone.” February 26, 1924. Accessed via: Library of Congress. Chronicling America.
Report of the Governor of Alaska to the Secretary of the Interior. 1921. Accessed via: Google Books.
Washington State Historical Society. “Finding aid for the Martin Kilian papers.”
Related materials:
The Washington State Historical Society holds the Martin Kilian papers (MsSC 121).
For additional materials related to mountaineering in Alaska, see our Skiing and Mountaineering Collections topic guide.
Acquisition note: The collection was gifted to Archives & Special Collections by Carlin Dee Otto, great-niece of Martin Kilian in 2022.
Processing information: This collection was described by Gwen Higgins in 2022.