Overview of the Collection
Biographical NoteRobert Moran was born in New York City on January 26, 1857. He came to Seattle in 1875, and as a mechanical engineer, engaged in shipbuilding and marine engineering. With his brothers Frank and Sherman, he established Moran Bros. Marine and Sawmill Machinery Co. in 1882, which later became Moran Bros. Co. (ship and engine builders) in 1890. In 1898, the firm built -- in the record time of only four months -- a fleet of 12 steamers and 10 barges, and delivered them on the Yukon River to carry food to the miners. The firm also built many large steel and wood vessels, including the U.S. battleship NEBRASKA. Moran served as mayor of Seattle from 1888 to 1890, overseeing both the response to the Great Fire and the development of the Cedar River water system. He was active for many years in numerous civic, professional, public, and fraternal organizations. After selling the company in 1906, Moran retired to Rosario, the estate on Orcas Island that he had designed. In 1914, he donated 5,000 acres on Orcas Island to the State of Washington, which became Moran State Park. He died in 1943 at the age of 86. Content DescriptionThe collection contains a variety of materials, mostly from Robert Moran's personal papers. They cover his various activities and interests, from the Moran Bros. Shipyard to the Cedar River water projects he shepherded while mayor of Seattle to general Seattle history. Items of particular interest include materials relating to the building of the USS NEBRASKA, a booklet about the Great Seattle Fire written shortly after it occurred, and photo albums with shots of the shipyard and of the Moran family. Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available :
A selection of the photographs is available in digital form as part of the University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections. Restrictions on Access :The collection is open to the public by appointment. Restrictions on Use :The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners. Preferred Citation :Betty Burns Papers on Robert Moran, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle Administrative Information
Custodial History :
Robert Moran's granddaughter, Betty Burns, inherited Moran's personal library as well as photographs and papers. Acquisition Information :The collection was donated by Betty Burns in 2000. Separated Materials :Six additional books relating to Seattle were also part of the donation; these are located on the library shelves. Related Materials :The Moran Brothers Company Collection (1995.49) and the Betty Burns Collection on the Moran Brothers Company (1972.5439) contain additional information about the company and about Robert Moran. Detailed Description of the Collection
Subjects
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