THE MUSEUM OF THE ALEUTIANS: EXPANDING OUR COLLECTIONS
The Museum of the Aleutians (MOTA) continues to expand our collection of objects of the Aleutian Island Region. One of our newest acquisitions (2021.002.001- .004) came from Ms. Cindy Pinkerton who donated four original letters that had been in the possession of her relative, Ms. Olive Lucy Smith, and relate to Ms. Smith’s time as matron of the Jesse Lee Home in Unalaska in the early 20th Century. Two of these letters were written by Ms. Smith, one by Dr. Albert Newhall, and the last by Mr. Ad-loo-at. These four letters contribute to MOTA’s growing collection of material related to Unalaska’s Jesse Lee Home.
Ms. Smith’s letters include information about life at the Jesse Lee Home. In one letter, she writes in detail about each boy residing in the home. This included little Bennie Benson, who, at the age of 13, won the competition to create Alaska’s Territorial flag. A slightly modified version of Bennie’s design is used on the Alaska State flag. The letter also references the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic in Unalaska and describes conditions that are very relatable to life today during the pandemic.
In an undated letter, Ms. Smith describes a fire that almost burned down the Home. She recounted the actions of the matrons to put out the fire and get everyone to safety. She described how one brave boy contacted a Marshall and had men putting out the fire within minutes.
In addition to the two letters written by Ms. Smith is a letter written by Dr. Newhall, the Superintendent of the orphanage, and the other written to Dr Newhall. It is not clear how these letters ended up in Ms. Smith’s possession. The letter written by Dr. Newhall in 1925 after he moved to Barrow (Utqiagvik) Alaska described springtime in the Arctic and the local Iñupiat population. The final letter is dated to 1916 and written by Mr. Ad-loo-at who fondly remembered his time at the Jesse Lee Home in Unalaska and thanked Dr. Newhall and his son Chester for their kindness.
The Museum collections include several photographs and postcards, a quilt, and the manuscript of Dr. Newhall and Ms. Agnes Louisa Sowle Newhall’s journal (2019.09.01). Using dated language, these letters mirror MOTA’s collection of the Jesse Lee Home as they explore both the positive and negative aspects of the Jesse Lee Home on the Unalaska community. A read-through of these letters reveals the divisive nature of the Jesse Lee Home and its impact on Native Alaskans’ identity in Unalaska.
The Museum of the Aleutians is proud to collect, preserve, and share the rich cultural legacy of the Aleutian Islands region. Our digital collections are available on the Alaska Digital Archives, https://vilda.alaska.edu/digital/collection/mota.
To become a member of the Museum of the Aleutians or to support the Museum, go to aleutians.org/support. Memberships begin at $35 for individuals and $75 for families. You can also support the Museum with your PFD contributions through Pick.Click.Give! Also check out their gift shop, featuring work by local artists, books covering the full scope of Aleutian history, puzzles, clothes, and more! Find it online at store.aleutians.org.