7.92 cubic feet
:
3,669 photographs in 9 boxes and 1 oversize box, 2,405
photographic negatives in 11 boxes, and papers and diaries in 2
boxes
Collection Number:
Coll
74
Summary:
This collection contains photographs,
papers, and diaries pertaining to the Peter and Laurie King Kerr family and the
Thomas and Mabel Macleay Kerr family of Portland, Oregon. The bulk of the
photographs were taken at Peter Kerr's Elk Rock estate in Portland and on
various family trips. The diaries and papers include Peter Kerr's diaries, a
scrapbook, a letterpress copybook and a diary and letters by Mrs. Lucretia
Colton.
Peter Kerr, prominent Oregon grain exporter, businessman, and civic
leader, was born in Newton Stewart, Scotland in 1861, the son of Thomas and
Anne Dewar Kerr. After working as a young man in London for the grain exporting
firm of Dewar and Webb, owned in part by his uncle, James C. Dewar, he traveled
throughout the world as an agent of the company. He finally settled in Portland
in 1889, working as a commission agent until 1894, when he partnered with
William S. Sibson to form Sibson & Kerr shipping agents. In 1899, he
established his own grain exporting business with his brother Thomas Kerr
(1865-1926) and Patrick B. Gifford, called Kerr Gifford & Co. The three
partners lived in "Cliff Cottage," on the Elk Rock estate on Military Lane in
the Dunthorpe area south of Portland (also known as Rivera and Abernethy
Heights), where they entertained with golf and tennis parties and chronicled
their activities in scrapbooks and photographs.
In 1905, Peter purchased the estate, and in 1916 he built a large house
to replace Cliff Cottage. He planted an extensive garden, the design for which
he had begun in 1897, and these gardens are now open to the public. The house
itself, designed by Ellis Lawrence, became the seat of the Episcopal Diocese in
1958 and is now known as the Bishop's Close. The Kerrs also had a beach house
on the Oregon coast at Gearhart, designed by architect Pietro Belluschi in the
mid-1940s.
Peter Kerr was married to Laurie King (1877-1959) in 1905, and the
couple had two daughters: Anne (1906-2001), married in 1933 to Sir James
McDonald, British consul in Oregon; and Jane, who married Dr. John W. S. Platt
in 1939. Peter Kerr died in 1957 at the age of 95.
Thomas Kerr was married to Mabel Macleay (1876-1973), daughter of
prominent Portland businessman Donald Macleay (1834-1897), in 1900. The couple
lived at High Hatch on Military Lane in the Dunthorpe area south of Portland.
They had three sons: Donald Macleay (1907-1945), Thomas, Jr. (Tommy)
(1910-1982), and George A. D. (1914-2004). Mabel Macleay and Laurie King were
lifelong friends, and their families, including Mabel's brother Roderick
Lachlan Macleay (b. 1874) and Laurie's mother, Laura Dodge King, traveled and
spent much of their leisure time together.
Content Description
The collection consists primarily of photographs and diaries pertaining
to the families of Peter and Laurie King Kerr and Thomas and Mabel Macleay
Kerr, both of Portland, Oregon. The bulk of the photographs were taken at Peter
Kerr's Elk Rock estate in Portland and on various family trips. Subjects
include Peter and Laurie's two daughters, Anne Kerr McDonald and Jane Kerr
Platt, as well as Thomas and Mabel's three sons, Donald, Thomas, and George.
Included are photographs from Peter and Laurie King Kerr's honeymoon in
Arizona, California, and Mexico; family trips to England and Scotland to visit
Peter and Thomas Kerr's father and siblings, as well as to Gearhart and Ecola
on the Oregon coast; social events, including golf and tennis, at Peter Kerr's
Elk Rock estate; and photographs of the grounds and gardens at Elk Rock. Four
photograph albums belonging to Anne Kerr McDonald are included. Many of the
photographs were probably taken by Peter Kerr; photographs in some of the
albums were taken or collected by Anne Kerr McDonald. Other types of
photographs included in the collection are ambrotypes, autochromes, cabinet
cards, cartes de visite, and tintypes.
Also included are the negatives for most of the prints. File copies of
the original photographic negatives were made by Oregon Historical Society
staff in 2007 and added to this collection. Not all of the photographs in this
collection have original negatives.
Many of Peter Kerr's family and friends are identified on the
photographs by their nicknames: "Tom" refers to Peter's brother Thomas
(1865-1926), while "Tommy" refers to Tom's son (1910-1982). Peter's brother
David (1874-1945) is referred to as "Davie," while Davie's son is called
"Dukin" (1918-1941). "George" is Peter's brother George (1867-1918), while
"Geordie" is Tom's son George (1814-2004). Peter refers to his brother James as
"Jamie" in his diaries.
The diaries and papers include Peter Kerr's diaries from 1876-1894; "The
Veracious Chronicles of the Cliff Cottage Club," a scrapbook kept by Peter Kerr
with drawings, photographs, clippings, and daily entries from 1897-1905; Peter
Kerr's birth certificate; and Peter Kerr's letterpress copybook for 1898-1906.
Additional materials include a diary and letters by Mrs. Lucretia Colton, the
great-grandmother of Lady Anne Kerr McDonald.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
The collection is open to the public. However, the negatives in this
collection are stored offsite and are not available for research use.
Researchers must instead use the photographic prints that the Oregon Historical
Society has made from these negatives. Consult a Reference Librarian for more
information,
Restrictions on Use :
The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the
Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication,
and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library
prior to any use of reproductions. The Society does not necessarily hold
copyright to all the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission
for use of reproductions may require seeking additional authorization from the
copyright holders.
Preferred Citation :
Kerr family collection, Coll 74, Oregon Historical Society Research
Library
Administrative Information
Arrangement :
The collection is arranged in three series:
Series A: Photographs, circa 1840-1954
Subseries 1: Portraits, circa 1840-1954
Subseries 2: Elk Rock, circa 1897-1950
Subseries 3: Gearhart and northern Oregon coast,
circa 1897-1949
Subseries 4: Family travels, circa 1895-1940
Subseries 5: Other photographs, circa
1894-1930
Subseries 6: Negatives
Series B: General papers, 1816-1968
Series C: Diaries and notebooks of Peter Kerr,
1876-1894
Acquisition Information :
Library accession no. 26084
Processing Note :
File copies of the original photographic negatives in this collection
were made by Oregon Historical Society staff in 2007 and added to the
collection.
Related Materials :
The Oregon Historical Society Research Library also contains the
following materials related to this collection:
Peter Kerr correspondence and records, Microfilm 68
Peter and Thomas Kerr family photograph collection, Org. Lot 443
Oral history interviews with Lady Anne Kerr McDonald, SR 1070
Biographical and genealogical information about the Kerr and Macleay
families in "Vertical File : Biography - Kerr, Peter" and "Vertical File :
Biography - Macleay, Donald."
In addition, artifacts from the Kerr family were donated to the the
Artifact Collections of the Oregon Historical Society in 1968.
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in
the collection.
Series A: Photographs, circa 1840-1954
3,669 items
The photographs are arranged into six subseries: Portraits; Elk
Rock; Gearhart and northern Oregon coast; Family travels; Other photographs;
and Negatives.
Container(s)
Description
Subseries 1: Portraits, 1840-1954
1,128 items
This series contains photographs of Kerr family members and
friends.
This subseries is divided into two groupings (Individual
portraits and Group portraits) and arranged alphabetically by subject.
Individuals
Box/Folder
1/1
Ayer, Mrs. W. B., circa 1897-1900
1/2
Ching Ben Yen, 1897-1905
Ching Bwn Yen was the Kerr family's Chinese cook at
Cliff Cottage.
1/3
Dewar, James C., circa 1989-1901
1/4
DuFlan, Pierre F., circa 1900
1/5
Flanders, Carrie, circa 1900-1915
1/6
Flanders, Louise, circa 1897-1905
1/7
Fransioli, P. J., circa 1900-1905
1/8
Gifford, Patrick B., circa 1890-1905
1/8A
Hall, Clementine Lewis, circa 1900-1905
1/9
Honeyman, Nan Wood (1881-1970), circa 1897-1915
1/10
Kerr, Andrew (1869-1951), circa 1900-1939
1/11
Kerr, Anne Dewar (1831-1892), circa 1850
1/12
Kerr, David (1874-1945), circa 1897-1920
1/13
Kerr, Donald (1907-1945), 1907-1908
1/14
Kerr, Flora McNeill, 1906
1/15
Kerr, George (1867-1918), circa 1900
1/16
Kerr, James (1860-1934), 1902
1/17
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959), circa 1878-1883
Hand-colored tintypes and cartes
de visite.
1/18
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959), circa 1897-1905
1/19
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959), circa 1906-1920
1/20
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959), circa 1921-1930
1/21
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959) and dog
Cree, circa 1921-1930
1/22
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959), circa 1938-1942
1/23
Kerr, Mabel Macleay (1876-1973), circa 1897-1905
1/24
Kerr, Milly Fraser, circa 1902
"Milly" may also be spelled "Millie."
1/25-1/26
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957), circa 1897-1905
1/27
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957), circa 1906-1915
1/28
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957), circa 1918-1926
1/29
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957), circa 1931-1939
1/30
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957), circa 1946-1954
1/31
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957), undated
1/32
Kerr, Thomas, Sr. (1830-1916), undated
1/33
Kerr, Thomas (1865-1926), circa 1897-1905
1/34
King, Henry, circa 1885-1890
1/35
King, Henry W., circa 1895
1/36
King, Laura Dodge, circa 1905-1930
1/37
King, Mary B., circa 1893
1/38
King, Ned, circa 1895
1/39
King family members
(unidentified), circa 1840-1895
1/40
Ladd, Charles Elliot (1857-1920), circa 1897
1/41
Lewis, Clementine Freeman Couch
(1838-1914), circa 1905-1914
1/42
Lewis, Gertrude Gordon McClintock (d.
1945), circa 1928
1/43
Mackay, W. B., circa 1898-1901
1/44
Mackenzie, Jean, circa 1897-1900
1/45
Macleay, Roderick Lachlan (b.
1874), circa 1897-1920
1/46
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001), 1906
1/47-1/49
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001), 1907
2/1-2/2
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001), 1908
2/3
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001), circa 1909-1912
2/4
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001), circa 1913-1914
2/5
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001), circa 1915-1929
2/6
McDonald, James, Sir (1899-1989), circa 1920-1925
2/7
McDonald, Laurie (later Meigs) (b.
1934), circa 1937-1939
2/8
Platt, David, 1944
2/9
Platt, Jane Kerr (1908-1989), 1908
2/10
Platt, Jane Kerr (1908-1989), circa 1910-1914
2/11
Platt, Jane Kerr (1908-1989), circa 1915-1923
2/12
Platt, Jane Kerr (1908-1989), circa 1925-1939
Includes photographs of Jane's dog, Cree.
2/13
Platt, John W. S., 1939
2/14
Sibson, Alice (later Winslow), circa 1897-1900
2/15
Sibson, William S., circa 1897-1900
2/16
Wheeler, F. G., circa 1897-1900
2/17
Willis, A. B., circa 1987-1905
2/18
Wilson, George, circa 1899-1905
2/19
Winslow, Chauncey, circa 1900-1910
2/20
Wood, Charles Erskine Scott (C. E. S.)
(1852-1944), circa 1897-1944
2/21
Wood, James McI., circa 1897-1905
2/22-2/23
Unidentified children, circa 1897-1935
2/24-2/25
Unidentified men, circa 1897-1925
2/26
Unidentified women, circa 1897-1940
9/1
Unidentified cased portraits, circa 1850-1885
Includes cased tintypes and ambrotypes of two
unidentified men, an unidentified woman, and an unidentified child.
Groups
Box/Folder
2/27
Dewar, James C. and others, circa 1898-1901
Includes photographs of Edith Evans Dewar, Patrick
B. Gifford, and W. B. Mackay.
2/28
Flanders, Carrie and Louise with
others, circa 1897-1905
2/29
Gifford, Patrick B. and others, circa 1897-1905
See also 2/32.Includes photographs of J. C. Flanders, P. J.
Fransioli, Charles Elliot Ladd (1857-1920), W. B. Mackay, Roderick Lachlan
Macleay (b. 1874), A. B. Willis, and James McI. Wood.
2/30
Honeyman, Nan Wood (1881-1970) and
others, circa 1900-1905
2/31
Kerr, Andrew (1869-1951) and Anne Kerr
McDonald (1906-2001), 1907
2/32
Kerr, David (1874-1945) and Patrick B.
Gifford, circa 1885
2/33
Kerr, James (1860-1934) and Milly (or
Millie) Fraser Kerr with others, circa 1902
Includes a photograph of Milly with Louise
Flanders.
2/34-2/37
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959) with daughters
Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001) and Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989), circa 1906-1939
2/38
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959) and Laura
Dodge King, circa 1911-1920
Includes a photograph of them with Cicero Hunt Lewis
(1875-1952).
2/39
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959) with Mabel
Macleay Kerr (1876-1973), circa 1900
2/40
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959), Thomas Kerr
(1865-1926), and Mabel Macleay Kerr (1876-1973) with Kerr children, circa 1908-1911
Includes photographs of Donald Macleay Kerr
(1907-1945), Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001), and Jane Kerr Platt
(1908-1989).
3/1, 23/1
Kerr, Laurie King (1877-1959) with other
friends and family, circa 1890-1915
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members plus Walter J. Burns, Pierre DuFlan, Carrie Flanders, Louise
Flanders, Patrick B. Gifford, Clementine Lewis Hall, Nan Wood Honeyman
(1881-1970), Roderick Lachlan Macleay (b. 1874), W. B. Mackay, Sir James
McDonald (1899-1989), Alice Sibson, Gordon Voorhies, and C. J. Williamson and
spouse.
3/2
Kerr, Mabel Macleay (1876-1973) and
children, circa 1906-1910
Includes photographs of Donald Macleay Kerr
(1907-1945) and Thomas Kerr, Jr. (1910-1982).
3/3
Kerr, Mabel Macleay (1876-1973) and Louise
Flanders, circa 1899-1905
3/4
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957) with parents and
siblings, circa 1884
Includes a photograph of Andrew Kerr (1869-1951),
Anne Dewar Kerr, David Kerr (1874-1945), George Kerr (1867-1918), James Kerr
(1860-1934), Jane Chrystal Kerr (b. 1863), Mary Kerr (1872-1952), Peter Kerr
(1861-1957), Thomas Kerr, Sr. (1830-1916), and Thomas Kerr (1865-1926). Note
that one of the sons is missing from the photograph, but identification of the
missing son is uncertain.
3/5
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957) with a group of men,
probably in Britain, circa 1885
Includes photographs of J. Moore and Major Bridges
Webb.
3/6
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957) with his
children, circa 1906-1918
Includes photographs of Thomas Kerr, Jr.
(1910-1982), Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001), and Jane Kerr Platt
(1908-1989).
3/7
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957) and Laurie King Kerr
(1877-1959), circa 1905-1954
3/8
Kerr, Peter (1861-1959), Laurie King Kerr
(1877-1959) with their children, circa 1916-1920
Includes photographs of Anne Kerr McDonald
(1906-2001) and Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989).
3/9
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957) and Laurie King Kerr
(1877-1959) with others, circa 1915-1941
Includes photographs of Andrew Kerr (1869-1951),
Thomas Kerr (1865-1926), Roderick Lachlan Macleay (b. 1874).
3/10
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957) and Thomas Kerr
(1865-1926), circa 1897-1900
3/11
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957) and Thomas Kerr
(1865-1926) with friends, circa 1897-1905
Includes photographs of Patrick B. Gifford, Charles
Elliot Ladd (1857-1920), W. B. Mackay, and Roderick Lachlan Macleay (b.
1874).
3/12
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957) with Anne Kerr
McDonald (1906-2001), Sir James McDonald (1899-1989), and unidentified
people, circa 1932
3/13
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957) with other family
and friends, circa 1897-1905
Includes photographs of Andrew Kerr (1869-1951),
Edith Evans Dewar Kerr, James Kerr, J. C. Flanders, Patrick B. Gifford,
Roderick Lachlan Macleay (b. 1874), Alice Sibson, and James McI. Wood.
3/14
Kerr, Peter (1861-1957) 80th birthday
celebration, 1941 October 29
Includes a photograph of [Mrs.] Ainsworth, [Miss]
Failing, Carrie Flanders, Louise Flanders, M. Wills Gilbert, Clementine Lewis
Hall, Andrew Kerr (1869-1951), George A. D. Kerr (1914-2004), Katherine D.
Kerr, Mabel Macleay Kerr (1876-1973), Thomas Kerr, Jr. (1910-1982), Cicero Hunt
Lewis (1875-1952), Gertrude Gordon McClintock Lewis (d. 1945), Sally Lewis,
Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001), Sir James McDonald (1899-1989), Neil Malarkey,
Sue Malarkey, G. Martin, Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989), and John W. S. Platt.
3/14A
Kerr, Thomas (1830-1916) with unidentified
people, undated
3/15
Kerr, Thomas (1865-1926) with children and
nieces, circa 1910
Includes photographs of Donald Macleay Kerr
(1914-2004), Thomas Kerr, Jr. (1910-1982), Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001), and
Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989).
3/16
Kerr, Thomas (1865-1926) with other family
and friends, circa 1897-1925
Includes photographs of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Ayer,
Patrick B. Gifford, Donald Macleay Kerr (1907-1945), Roderick Lachlan Macleay
(b. 1874), Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001), and Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989).
3/17
Kerr, Thomas (1865-1926) and Mabel Macleay
Kerr (1876-1973) with family and friends, circa 1900-1914
Includes photographs of Louise Flanders, Clementine
Lewis Hall, Donald Macleay Kerr (1907-1945), Laurie King Kerr (1877-1959),
Peter Kerr (1861-1959), Cicero Hunt Lewis (1875-1952), Anne Kerr McDonald
(1906-2001).
3/18
Kerr, Thomas children, circa 1912-1925
Includes photographs of Donald Macleay Kerr
(1907-1945), Thomas Kerr, Jr. (1910-1982), and possibly Faber Lewis.
3/19
King, Laura Dodge and unidentified
woman, circa 1860-1865
Hand-colored
tintype.
3/20
Lewis, Cicero Hunt (1875-1952) and
others, circa 1905-1912
Includes photographs of Gertrude Gordon McClintock
Lewis (d. 1945) and Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001).
3/21
Mackenzie, Barbara, Jean, and Ronald
, circa 1897-1905
3/22
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001) and Matilda
Anderson (nursemaid), 1906-1907
3/23
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001) and Jane
Kerr Platt (1908-1989), 1908
3/24
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001) and Jane
Kerr Platt (1908-1989), circa 1909-1910
3/25
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001) and Jane
Kerr Platt (1908-1989), circa 1911-1920
3/26
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001) and Jane
Kerr Platt (1908-1989), circa 1925-1930
3/27
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001), Jane Kerr
Platt (1908-1989) with nursemaids, circa 1906-1908
Includes photographs of Matilda Anderson
(nursemaid).
3/28
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001) and Jane
Kerr Platt (1908-1989) with Thomas Kerr children , circa 1908-1925
Includes photographs of Donald Macleay Kerr
(1907-1945), George A. D. Kerr (1914-2004), Thomas Kerr, Jr. (1910-1982).
3/29
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001) and Jane
Kerr Platt (1908-1989) with other family and friends, circa 1911-1925
3/30
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001) and Sir
James McDonald (1899-1989) with family and friends, circa 1932
Includes photographs of Thomas Kerr, Jr.
(1910-1982).
3/31
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001) at ship
christening for the HMS "Atheling" , 1943 May
Includes photographs of Sir James McDonald
(1899-1989) and Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989).
3/32
McDonald, Anne Kerr (1906-2001) with
others, circa 1907-1930
Includes photographs of David and Nan Wood
Honeyman's (1881-1970) daughter, Nancy.
3/33
McGill, William and John Sproat, circa 1897-1905
3/34
Platt, Jane Kerr (1908-1989) and Matilda
Anderson (nursemaid), 1908
For other photographs Jane Kerr Platt with her
sister, Anner Kerr McDonald, dating from 1908-1930, see 3/23-3/27.
3/35
Platt, Jane Kerr (1908-1989) with Donald
Macleay Kerr (1907-1945), Thomas Kerr, Jr. (1910-1982), and unidentified
people, circa 1920
3/36
Platt, Jane Kerr (1908-1989) and David
Platt, circa 1940-1945
3/37
Platt, Jane Kerr (1908-1989) with John W. S.
Platt at Belluschi House, 1941
3/38
Platt, Jane Kerr (1908-1989) and
unidentified people, circa 1920-1925
3/39
Sibson, William S. and Mary Rogers
Sibson, circa 1897-1900
3/40
Wood, Charles Erskine Scott (C. E. S.)
(1852-1944) and two girls, possibly his daughters, circa 1900
3/41
Unidentified men, circa 1897-1930
3/42
Unidentified women, circa 1897-1915
3/43
Unidentified families, circa 1897-1930
3/44
Unidentified mixed groups, circa 1890-1925
Subseries 2: Elk Rock, 1897-1950
590 images
The Elk Rock subseries contains photographs of the houses
(Cliff Cottage and the mansion) and grounds (including gardens and tennis
courts) at the Kerr family's property at Elk Rock. In addition, activities and
social events at Elk Rock and the surrounding neighborhood of Military Lane and
Elk Rock Island are included.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box/Folder
4/1
Cars at Elk Rock, circa 1920-1925
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr's 45hp, 6 cylinder
Pierce Great Arrow.
4/2
Children's activities at Elk Rock, circa 1908-1918
Includes photographs of Peter's daughters and Thomas'
sons, plus Clifford A. Nichols, Delia F. Nichols, Emily Nichols, John Randolph
Nichols, and Wirt Minor Nichols.
4/3
Cliff Cottage golf, circa 1897-1905
Includes photographs of James C. Dewar, Louise Flanders,
Patrick B. Gifford, Mabel Macleay Kerr (1876-1973), Thomas Kerr (1865-1926),
Alice Sibson, and James McI. Wood.
4/4-4/7
Cliff Cottage grounds, circa 1897-1916
Elk Rock grounds prior to the construction of the house
which became Bishop's Close in 1958 and the demolition of the original house
known as Cliff Cottage.
4/8
Cliff Cottage house, circa 1897-1914
4/9
Cliff Cottage interiors, circa 1907
Photographs of Christmas decorations inside Cliff
Cottage.
4/10-4/12
Elk Rock grounds, circa 1917-1950
4/13-4/14
Elk Rock house (which became Bishop's Close in
1958), circa 1917-1941
4/15
Elk Rock Island, Willamette River, circa 1897-1915
Includes photographs of Patrick B. Gifford, Laurie King
Kerr (1877-1959), Mabel Macleay Kerr (1876-1973), Peter Kerr (1861-1957), the
sternwheeler "George Burton," and views of the city of Milwaukie from the
Willamette River.
4/16
Excavation and construction of new home (which
became Bishop's Close in 1958), circa 1915-1917
Includes photographs of Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001),
and Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989), and a watercolor rendering of the house by the
architect Ellis Lawrence.
4/17
High Hatch (Tom and Mabel Kerr's Military Lane
residence), circa 1910-1920
The house was purchased from Portland architect William
M. Whidden. Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr family members
plus William M. Whidden.
4/18
Jane Kerr and John W. S. Platt wedding at Elk
Rock, 1939 April 29
Photographs of the interior of the Elk Rock house.
4/19
Military Lane neighbors and homes, circa 1897-1915
Includes photographs of Cicero Hunt Lewis (1875-1952)
and his house, the Sibson-Corbett house, and William Whidden.
4/20
"Nallow" Neighborhood event, circa 1925
Includes photographs of a Military Lane event.
4/21
Pets at Elk Rock, undated
Includes photographs of dogs Cree, Glinnie, and Nib.
4/22
Social events at Cliff Cottage, circa 1897-1905
Includes photographs of the Great Garden Party of 1905
and other events. Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr family
members plus Walter Burnes, Pierre DuFlan, Carrie Flanders, J. C. Flanders,
Louise Flanders, Patrick B. Gifford, Nan Wood Honeyman (1881-1970), W. B.
Mackay, Roderick Lachlan Macleay (b. 1874), Patsy Nichols, Gordon Voorhies, C.
J. Williamson, Mrs. Williamson, and A. B. Willis.
5/1
Swimming at Elk Rock, circa 1918-1920
Includes photographs of Peter's daughters and Thomas's
sons.
5/2-5/3, 23/2
Tennis at Elk Rock, circa 1897-1925
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members plus Carrie Flanders, Patrick B. Gifford, and Roderick Lachlan
Macleay (b. 1874).
5/4
Views of Milwaukie from Elk Rock , circa 1897-1920
Subseries 3: Gearhart and northern Oregon coast , 1897-1949
218 images
This subseries contains photographs of Kerr family outings
to Gearhart and Ecola on the northern Oregon coast. Peter Kerr had a beach
house built at Gearhart in the 1940s.
Arranged chronologically.
Box/Folder
5/6
circa 1897-1915
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members plus members of the Effinger, Failing, and Lewis family, Carrie
and Louise Flanders, Clementine Lewis Hall, members of the Lewis family, Major
Webb, Ernest Webb, Miss Violet Webb, and Erskine Wood. Includes photographs of
Robert Livingstone's "Drumtochty Cottage."
5/7
1908
Photographs taken during the summer of 1908. Includes
photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr family members plus Laura Dodge King,
Major Webb, Ernest Webb, and Miss Violet Webb.
5/8
1909
Photographs taken during the summer of 1909. Includes
photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr family members plus David Honeyman,
Nan Wood Honeyman (1881-1970), Nancy Honeyman, Laura Dodge King.
5/9
circa 1912
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members plus Laura Dodge King.
5/10
circa 1918-1920
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members plus Laura Dodge King.
5/11
circa 1921-1930
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members plus Faber Lewis. Includes photographs of the wreck of the
"Peter Iredale."
5/12
circa 1931-1940
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members.
5/13
circa 1940-1949
Includes photographs of Laurie King Kerr (1877-1959) and
Peter Kerr (1861-1957), as well as the of Kerr family beach house in Gearhart,
designed by architect Pietro Belluschi in the mid-1940s.
Subseries 4: Family travels, circa 1895-1940
1702 images
This subseries contains photographs of various travels taken
by the Kerr family, many of which included their extended family and friends.
Trips include visits to Peter's parents and siblings in England and Scotland,
as well as Peter and Laurie Kerr's 1905 honeymoon in California and Mexico.
Also included are Anne Kerr McDonald's travel photograph albums, which contain
photographs of travels to Europe and various United States locations.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box/Folder
5/14
Beach camp (unidentified locations), circa 1914-1920
Includes photographs of Laurie King Kerr (1877-1959),
Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001), and Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989).
5/15
California (general), circa 1900-1915
Includes photographs of Louise Flanders and Mabel
Macleay Kerr (1876-1973). Includes a photograph of the "Potter Art
Gallery."
5/19
California (general), circa 1920-1925
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members.
5/16-5/17
California--Del Monte, circa 1905
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members and Roderick Lachlan Macleay (b. 1874).
5/18
California--Monterey, circa 1905
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members.
6/1
England, circa 1896-1907
Includes photographs of Constance (Connie) Dewar, Edith
Evans Dewar, James C. Dewar, James Evan Dewar, Jean Dewar, Margaret Dewar, and
Peter Kerr (1861-1959).
6/2
England, circa 1925
Includes photographs of James C. Dewar, David Kerr
(1874-1945), Jack Kerr, James Kerr (1860-1934), James Kerr (Jr.), Jean Kerr,
Laurie King Kerr (1877-1959), Marjorie Kerr, Milly (or Millie) Fraser Kerr,
Peter Kerr (1861-1957), Tim Kerr, Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001), and Jane Kerr
Platt (1908-1989). Includes photographs of James and Milly (or Millie) Fraser
Kerr's residence "Lowick's," Freya Stark's former house.
6/3-6/5
England, 1925 June-July
June and July, 1925. Includes photographs of James C.
Dewar, David (Dukin) Kerr (1918-1941), Ada Kerr, Jack Kerr, James Kerr
(1860-1934), Jean Kerr, Laurie King Kerr (1877-1959), Mary Kerr (1872-1952),
Milly (or Millie) Fraser Kerr, Patrick Kerr, Peter Kerr (1861-1957), Tim Kerr,
Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001), and Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989).
6/6
Great Britain, circa 1907
Includes photographs of Constance Dewar, Dorothy Dewar,
Edith Evans Dewar, James C. Dewar, James Evan Dewar, Jean Dewar, Margaret
Dewar, and Peter Dewar.
6/8
New York City, circa 1907
6/9
Oregon--Agness and Southern Oregon
Coast, circa 1925-1930
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr family members.
6/10
Oregon--Cloud Cap Inn, circa 1920-1929
Includes photographs of Laurie King Kerr (1877-1959) and
Peter Kerr (1861-1957).
6/11
Oregon--Eastern, circa 1925
Includes photographs of Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001)
and Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989).
6/12
Oregon--Meadow Lake, circa 1910-1915
Includes photographs of Louise Flanders, Clementine
Lewis Hall, Laurie King Kerr (1877-1959), Peter Kerr (1861-1957).
6/13
Oregon--Metolius River area, circa 1925
Possibly on Erskine Wood's property. Includes
photographs of Peter Kerr family members and Gertrude Gordon McClintock Lewis
(d. 1945).
6/14
Oregon--Southwest, circa 1905-1920
Includes photographs of Laurie King Kerr (1877-1959).
6/15
Peter and Laurie King Kerr honeymoon--Arizona
and California, 1905
6/16
Peter and Laurie King Kerr
honeymoon--Mexico, 1905
6/17
Scotland (general), circa 1906-1907
Includes photographs of Flora Kerr, George Kerr
(1867-1918), James Kerr (1860-1934), Jane Chrystal Kerr (b. 1863), Laurie King
Kerr (1877-1959), Mabel Macleay Kerr (1876-1973), Mary Kerr (1872-1952), Milly
(or Millie) Fraser Kerr, Peter Kerr (1861-1957), Thomas Kerr, Sr. (1830-1916),
Thomas Kerr (1865-1926), and Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001).
6/18
Scotland--Newton Stewart, circa 1896-1906
Includes photographs of George Kerr (1867-1918),
Marjorie Kerr, Jack Kerr, and Thomas Kerr, Sr. (1830-1916).
6/19
Scotland--Newton Stewart, circa 1907
Includes photographs of Peter and Thomas Kerr siblings
and wives and daughters plus James C. Dewar. Includes photographs of
"Creeview," Thomas Kerr, Sr.'s retirement house.
7/3
Scotland--Newton Stewart, 1925
Includes photographs of the grave markers of Anne Dewar
Kerr (1831-1892), George Kerr (1867-1918), and Thomas Kerr, Sr.
(1830-1916).
7/1-72
Scotland, 1925
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr family members plus
Ada Kerr, David Kerr (1874-1945), David (Dukin) Kerr (1918-1941), Jack Kerr,
James Kerr (1860-1934), Jane Chrystal Kerr (b. 1863), Jean Kerr, Mary Kerr
(1872-1952), Milly (or Millie) Fraser Kerr, Patrick Kerr, Tim Kerr.
7/4
Ship travel, circa 1907-1926
Includes photographs of Laurie King Kerr (1877-1959),
Mabel Macleay Kerr (1876-1973), Thomas Kerr (1865-1926), and Roderick Lachlan
Macleay (b. 1874).
6/7
Washington--Mt. Rainier National
Park, circa 1925
Includes photographs of Gertrude Gordon McClintock Lewis
(d. 1945).
7/9
Washington--Seaview trip, circa 1895-1905
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr
family members plus Patrick B. Gifford, Louise Flanders, David C. Lewis, and
Roderick Lachlan Macleay (b. 1874). See Org. Lot 443 for identification of this
location.
7/5
Unidentified locations, circa 1915-1940
Includes photographs of Peter Kerr family members plus
Cicero Hunt Lewis (1875-1952), Gertrude Gordon McClintock Lewis (d. 1945), and
Mrs. Loak.
7/6
Album 74-1: Anne Kerr McDonald family photograph
album, circa 1915-1930
Includes photographs of travels in Canada, as well as
photographs of Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr family members, extended family, and
friends. Photographs are not labeled.
7/7
Album 74-2: Anne Kerr McDonald photograph
album, 1929
Includes photographs of Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001)
and Jane Kerr Platt (1908-1989) on their trips to Cap Martin, France, various
locations in Italy, and to Newton Stewart, Scotland in 1929. It appears that
they joined some of their cousins -- the children of James Kerr (1860-1934) and
Milly (or Millie) Fraser Kerr -- in Italy. Many photographs are labeled.
7/8
Album 74-3: Anne Kerr McDonald photograph
album, circa 1925-1926
Includes photographs travels to England, as well as
Peter Kerr and Thomas Kerr family members, including extended family. Includes
photographs of a "haymow." Photographs are not labeled.
8/1
Album 74-4: Anne Kerr McDonald photograph
album, circa 1930-1937
Includes photographs of travels in Switzerland, France,
England, Wales, Victoria, B. C., California, Oregon, Guatemala, Washington, D.
C., West Virginia, and Bermuda. Some of these photographs may have been
acquired without travel to the location indicated. Includes photographs of Elk
Rock and early photographs of Anne Kerr McDonald's (1906-2001) daughter, Laurie
McDonald (later Meigs) (b. 1934). Most album pages are labeled.
Subseries 5: Other photographs, circa 1894-1930
231 images
This subseries contains photographs not included within the
scope of the other subseries.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box/Folder
8/2
Arlington Club, circa 1897-1900
Includes photographs of Tom Davis, George Good, Fred V.
Holman, Thomas Kerr (1865-1926), Herman Camp Leonard, Ion Lewis, Major McNeill,
Dave Nethill (sp?), D. F. Paxton, C. J. Reed, Preston C. Smith, and Count
Wilson.
8/3
Laurie King Kerr, Peter Kerr and Girl Scout
excursion on Sandy River, circa 1925-1930
8/4
Kerr business, circa 1920-1929
Includes photographs of Patrick B. Gifford, Captain John
Grondahl, Andrew Kerr (1869-1951), Mabel Macleay Kerr (1876-1973), Peter Kerr
(1861-1957), Thomas Kerr, Jr. (1910-1982). Includes photographs of the
re-christening of the "S. S. Peter Kerr" on March 10, 1923.
8/5
Portland flood, 1894
Includes photographs of flooded downtown Portland
streets and a man diving off the Skidmore Fountain.
8/6
Quarantine tent, circa 1900-1905
Possibly the tent in which Tom Kerr was quarantined when
he had typhoid. Includes photographs of Mabel Macleay Kerr (1876-1973), Thomas
Kerr (1865-1926), and Roderick Lachlan Macleay (b. 1874).
8/7
Scotland--Grave marker and sketch of
house, circa 1920-1929
Includes a photograph of a grave marker with the
initials "PD" and "MD" (possibly the Dewar family) and a colored sketch of
Andrew Kerr's (1869-1951) house "Red Top."
8/8
Sibson & Kerr business, circa 1894-1900
Includes photographs of Patrick B. Gifford, Peter Kerr
(1861-1957), Thomas Kerr (1865-1926), Richard Koehler, "Uncle Mat" Sibson, and
William S. Sibson. May include photographs from Kerr Gifford & Co.
8/9
Waverly Country Club, circa 1897-1905
Now spelled "Waverley." Includes photographs of N. E.
Ayer, Percy Blyth, Jonathan Bourne, J. Scott Brooke, Patrick B. Gifford, Mabel
Macleay Kerr (1876-1973), Thomas Kerr (1865-1926), Roderick Lachlan Macleay (b.
1874), Jules Spadone (sp?), Carl Specher (sp?), F. G. Wheeler, William Whidden,
and J. D. Wilcox.
RESTRICTION: Negatives in this collection are stored offsite
and may not be used by researchers. Prints have been made from all negatives
and are available for researchers in this collection; researchers must use the
prints for reference purposes instead of the negatives. Please consult a
Reference Librarian for more information.
Negatives were numbered by Oregon Historical Society staff
for matching and retrieval purposes. Please note that negative numbers 125,
423, 434-443, and 574 were skipped in the numbering scheme.
Poems and songs in the hand of Peter Kerr (bound
notebook), undated
22/2
Prayer book of Peter Kerr, 1888
21/7A
Receipt for photographic supplies purchased by Peter
Kerr, 1909
21/8
Stationery of Kerr Gifford & Co.,
Inc., undated
21/9
"The veracious chronicles of the Cliff Cottage
Club", 1897-1905
Scrapbook and diary kept by Peter Kerr, with drawings,
photographs, clippings, and daily entries. Includes an original sketch by
Charles Erskine Scott (C. E. S.) Wood (1852-1944).
21/10
General papers, 1839-1968
Includes list of Kerr family artifacts donated to the Oregon
Historical Society in 1968 by Lady Anne McDonald.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings.
Personal Names :
Colton,
Lucretia.
Kerr,
Donald Macleay, 1907-1945--Photographs.
Kerr,
Laurie King, 1877-1959.
Kerr,
Laurie King, 1877-1959--Photographs.
Kerr, Mabel
Macleay--Photographs.
Kerr,
Peter.
Kerr,
Peter--Homes and haunts--Oregon--Portland--Photographs.
Kerr,
Peter--Photographs.
Kerr, Thomas,
1865-1926--Homes and haunts--Oregon--Portland--Photographs.
