Ruth and Louis Kirk Moving Image Collection
University of Washington

Married couple Ruth and Louis Kirk spent much of their life together moving around the West for Louis Kirk's job requirements as a National Park Service ranger. Inspired by the history and natural history of the parks, Ruth Kirk authored many books about the Northwest. During the 1950s, Ruth Kirk began practicing photography and she included her photographs in the books that she wrote.

From the 1960s to the 1990s the Kirks produced films and television programs focused on the history, the landscape, and the people of the Pacific Northwest. The films document subjects including Native American communities, national parks, environmental issues, historic preservation and archaeological projects in the Northwest, including the Marmes Rockshelter, the Ozette Indian Village and the Manis Mastondon sites.

Additional information is available on University of Washington's Ruth and Louis Kirk Moving Image Collection website. View the finding aid for a full inventory of the collection.