Welcome to the Polson Museum's Online Photograph Collection Database
Tips for Searching and Conditions of Application
A General Introduction to the Collection
The Polson Museum has been actively collecting images and artifacts related to the history of Grays Harbor County, Washington since opening to the public in 1977. Throughout the museum's first two decades, all records were maintained in a card catalog and three-ring binder. In 1998 a team of volunteers began transferring these records to a Microsoft Access database. In 2003 we migrated these records to PastPerfect and acquired our first scanner, a Microtek 9800XL capable of handling transparent media. Our first major project was to process the substantial Josiah O. Stearns Collection of glass plate and nitrate negatives (2001.070 & 2002.036). From that point onward our photo archivist, Scott Lucas, has worked tirelessly year after year to process our small and large format prints, negatives, postcards and more. To date we have over 27,000 digitized records available to search here with more added each year as new donations are made and backlogged collections are processed. Special thanks goes to the hundreds of generous donors who have gifted the images in this collection and to the Grays Harbor Community Foundation for funding this online version of our database.
Keyword Search
The Keyword Search button allows you to perform a general search across all of the database fields simultaneously. Keyword searches use OR as the default connector between words but AND and OR may be used explicitly to create complex searches. Search terms may be grouped together using parenthesis (). To search for a specific phrase, be sure to put the phrase within quotes (e.g. "Spruce Division"). You can also use the asterisk (*) as a wildcard representing multiple characters or a question mark (?) for any single character. Searches are not case sensitive.
Advanced Search
The Advanced Search button can help you be more specific with your search. You can search for a word or phrase within a particular search category or use multiple categories to further narrow down your search results. Phrases within quotes and the use of wildcards are permitted in Advanced Search.
Random Images
The Random Images button is a great way to just browse the collection. Each Random Images page displays a random assortment of images from the records online. If something piques your interest, click the thumbnail to view a larger version of the image.
Permitted Use
You may use the images only for the purpose described as submitted through the Request Image link found in the lower right corner of each image (click on the image's thumbnail to reach this link). Altering or manipulating the images beyond standard cropping and resizing requires permission from the Polson Museum.
Copyright and Third Party Rights
Unless notified explicitly otherwise in writing by the Polson Museum, you acknowledge and agree that the Polson Museum may not be the owner of the copyright in these images and that any permission granted does not constitute a copyright license. You agree to obtain any authorizations from third parties as may be required for your use of the images, including copyright and publicity rights.
Credits
You agree to use the credit, Polson Museum, Hoquiam, Wash., [plus the Catalog Number]. (For example, Polson Museum, Hoquiam, Wash., 1997.004.0023.) The credit information for digital files must be integral with the image as it is displayed, so that downloading the image includes the credit line. Television and film projects may use the credit without the Catalog Number for broadcast.
Contribution of Copy
You agree to provide one copy of the publication/project to the Polson Museum. In the case of film, a video copy is acceptable. (In some circumstances a copy is requested, but not required, such as for small personal publishing projects. In the case of signage or single items a copy is not required.) You must provide the Polson Museum with the URL address for all websites where the images are displayed, and you must notify the Polson Museum of all URL address changes.
Liability
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Polson Museum and its officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all liability, including costs and expenses, based on the violation of rights of ownership, infringement of copyright, or invasion of rights of privacy, or laws of libel, resulting from your use of the images.
Fee
You agree to pay all fees incurred with this request. The Polson Museum will provide high resolution digital copies of images for publication purposes. Digital files are available in .jpg format and delivered via e-mail (for smaller requests) or the file sharing site wetransfer.com for larger requests. 600 dpi scans (higher can be made by special request for an additional fee) will be sent with no watermark and are $20 per image for private/commercial purposes. Fees may be paid via check to the Polson Museum, P.O. Box 432, Hoquiam, WA 98550 or with credit card via the museum's PayPal portal (the "Donate" button at http://www.polsonmuseum.org/support1.htm)
Effect of Non-Compliance
You understand and agree that failure to comply with one or more of the conditions stated herein may result in the loss of any permission granted and the denial of future requests for reproductions.