Title: Milwaukee Public Museum, Totem Pole Records
Inclusive Dates: 1914-1931

Creator:

• Milwaukee Public Museum

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 184

Quantity: 0.2 cubic ft. (1 box)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

The collection consists of correspondence, research, acquisition documents and newspaper clippings about the Milwaukee Public Museum's forty-one foot tall Haida totem pole known as “Ignatz”.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0184

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The forty-one foot tall Haida totem pole known as “Ignatz” was acquired by C. F. Newcombe and then purchased by the Milwaukee Public Museum in 1921 by its director Dr. S. A. Barrett. In 1922, it was installed in front of the shared museum/library building and became a source of controversy. Many, including Alderman John Koerner, voiced objections to the totem pole’s installation. Opponents were defeated and Ignatz was allowed to remain. It stayed in place on Wisconsin Ave. until 1963, when it was removed, restored and installed in front of the Museum’s new location on Wells St. (across the street from the previous building). It was removed again in 1980 due to environmental deterioration, and the upper half was later moved inside the Museum.

The collection consists of documentation regarding the acquisition of the artifact, photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence and reports regarding the totem.

Subjects are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.

Milwaukee Public Museum, Totem Pole Records, 1914-1931 , Collection 184. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

This collection was retained by the Milwaukee Public Museum and in the 1960s was inherited by the Milwaukee Public Library. It was inventoried as part of MPL’s correspondence collection in 1965. Materials were accessioned as Local History Manuscripts Collection.

Processing Information

Inventoried by Bert Hartinger, 1965. Processed by Charles Tonelli, Fieldwork Student, 2013. Reprocessed by Casey Lapworth, Archives Librarian, 2019.

Box   1 Folder   1	Acquisition, 1914-1931
Box   1 Folder   2	Correspondence, - C. F. Newcombe and S. A. Barrett, 1914-1922
Box   1 Folder   3	Correspondence - Ovid B. Blix, 1922
Box   1 Folder   4	Correspondence - S. A. Barrett, 1922
Box   1 Folder   5	Newspaper clippings, 1922-1925
Box   1 Folder   6	Photos, unmounted (2), undated
Box   1 Folder   7	Photos, mounted, (5 boards/10 photos), undated
Box   1 Folder   8	Reports, 1922