MsSC 166B

PADDOCK, Robert L., inventory. 1 v.

Abstract: Robert Paddock, later Episcopal bishop of Eastern Oregon, collected ethnographic specimens for his cabinet of curios in Tacoma, Washington Territory.

Biography: Robert Louis Paddock (1870-1939), was born in Tacoma, Washington Territory, the son of Bishop John Paddock, first Episcopal bishop of Washington. Robert received his bachelor of arts degree at Trinity College in New Haven in 1894, and his doctor of divinity from Berkeley Divinity School in 1908. He was appointed Episcopal Bishop of Eastern Oregon in 1907, a position he held until his retirement due to ill health in 1922.

As a young man, Paddock was interested in ethnographic specimens and other curiosities. He collected for his cabinet of curios a variety of unusual items given to him. These included natural history specimens (minerals, petrified wood, shells, agates, etc.), ethnographic items from various Indian tribes (rattles, totems, weapons, etc.), and a wide and interesting accumulation of “curiosities.” Most of the materials appear to have been acquired between 1881 and 1887.

Many individuals collected such “cabinets of curiosities” and, in fact early museums were considered to be “cabinets of curiosities.” These collections were usually eclectic and without any apparent focus, their purpose being to entertain rather than really educate.

Paddock lent his collection to the Washington State Historical Society sometime before 1924, at which time he lent additional materials. The loan was converted to a gift by his estate in 1944.

Scope and content: The volume, titled “List of curios contained in the cabinet of Robert L. Paddock, Tacoma, Wash. Ty.,” is a descriptive list of 196 items. Although the date on the title page is 1881, when he would have been eleven years old, the handwriting appears to be that of a more mature hand, written probably sometime between 1887 and 1907.

In addition to the usual expected rock and mineral specimens and numerous American and Alaska native artifacts, there are many interesting and quirky artifacts; a few are listed as follows:

Revolutionary bullet

Bead, from Abraham’s tomb

Dagger with a stain of blood, used the Indians of Alaska

Stone from porch of home at Mt. Vernon, VA. in which Washington lived

Stone from place where Gen. Custer fell, killed by Indians, June 1876 at Battle of

“Little Big Horn”, 14 miles from Fort Custer, Montana

Piece of pile eaten by the terredo or ship worm from Tacoma wharf

Albatross head and bill from off Cape Horn given by Mr. Barlow, Tacoma

Human bones from battle field where Gen. Custer fought & was killed with

his comrades From F.F.P. & F.H.P.

Feejie Islanders wedding dress

Chinese nails. Taken from Chinese Restaurant in China Town, F.F. where we had

lunch, July ‘87

Inclusive dates: 1881-1887

Restrictions: None

Volume: 1 v.

Accession number: 1924.75.25 (X-876)

Box 1

Folder Contents

1 Ledger, List of curios contained in The Cabinet of Robert L. Paddock, Tacoma. Wash. Ty. 1881”