The Harriman Alaska Expedition of 1899: Science, Art, and Adventure
In the late 19th century, the United States was expanding its presence in Alaska, and the Harriman Alaska Expedition of 1899 was a pivotal moment in American exploration of the Last Frontier. Led by railroad magnate Edward Harriman, this “floating university” brought together a team of esteemed scientists, artists, and writers on a luxury steamship to explore Alaska’s vast wilderness.
The Scientific Dream Team
The Harriman Alaska Expedition was a veritable who’s who of American science and art. The team included:
- John Muir (1850-1914), naturalist and conservationist, who would later become a key figure in the establishment of Yosemite National Park.
- John Burroughs (1837-1921), American naturalist and writer.
- Edward Curtis (1868-1952), photographer and ethnographer, who would later become famous for his portraits of Native Americans.
- C. Hart Merriam (1855-1942), biologist and zoologist, who would later become the director of the U.S. Biological Survey.
- George Bird Grinnell (1849-1938), naturalist and writer, who would later become a prominent advocate for conservation.
These individuals, along with 20 other scientists and artists, formed a formidable team that would collect thousands of specimens, take hundreds of photographs, and document the lives of Alaska’s indigenous peoples.
The Route and Discoveries
The expedition set sail from Seattle on June 15, 1899, aboard the SS Alaska, a luxury steamship that was converted into a floating laboratory. Over the next several months, the team traveled from Seattle to Sitka, Prince William Sound, Kodiak, the Aleutians, and the Bering Strait. Along the way, they made numerous discoveries, including the naming of the Harriman Glacier in the St. Elias Mountains.
“The ice cliffs rose up like a wall, and the glacier’s surface was a vast expanse of turquoise and blue ice.” – Edward Curtis, describing the Harriman Glacier in his 1899 expedition journal.
The team also collected thousands of specimens, including plants, animals, and minerals, which would later be studied by scientists at the Smithsonian Institution and other museums. Curtis’s photographs of Alaska’s indigenous peoples, including the Athabascan and Unangax, are considered some of the most important and beautiful images of their kind.
Edward Curtis’s Photographs of Alaska Native Peoples
While Curtis’s photographs of Alaska’s indigenous peoples are now considered iconic, they have also been the subject of controversy. Many Native American communities have criticized Curtis’s work for its romanticization of Native cultures and its failure to accurately represent the complexities of Native life. As a result, Curtis’s photographs are now viewed with a critical eye, and their historical context is carefully considered.
Documenting Glaciers and Climate Change
The Harriman Alaska Expedition also played a significant role in documenting Alaska’s glaciers, many of which have since dramatically retreated due to climate change. The team’s photographs of glaciers, including the Harriman Glacier, provide a unique snapshot of Alaska’s glacial landscape before the onset of significant climate change.
“The glaciers of Alaska are a wonder of the world. They are a testament to the power of nature and the importance of preserving our natural heritage.” – John Muir, 1899.
Published Results and Legacy
The Harriman Alaska Expedition’s published results were compiled into 13 volumes of scientific reports, which are still studied today by scientists and historians. The expedition’s legacy can be seen in the many parks, preserves, and wildlife refuges that have been established in Alaska, including Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and Prince William Sound National Wildlife Refuge.
What You Can Still See Today
Visitors to Alaska can still see many of the sites visited by the Harriman Alaska Expedition. These include the Harriman Glacier, which can be seen from the Alaska Highway, and the town of Sitka, which was a major stop on the expedition’s route. Visitors can also see many of the photographs taken by Curtis and other members of the expedition at the Library of Congress and other online archives.
Learn More
* The Harriman Expedition of 1899 (Smithsonian Institution)
* The Harriman Expedition of 1899 (Library of Congress)
* Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (National Park Service)
* Prince William Sound National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Sources
* The Harriman Alaska Expedition, 1899, edited by John Burroughs, Smithsonian Institution, 1904.
* The Harriman Expedition, 1899, edited by George Bird Grinnell, University of Washington Press, 1992.
* Edward Curtis’s Alaska, edited by R.G. Dunstan, University of Alaska Press, 1987.
* The Harriman Expedition’s Photographs, Library of Congress, 2010.
* Glacier Bay: A History, by Richard Carstensen, University of Alaska Press, 2012.