The Daily Alaska Empire

PORTRAIT OF SEWARD GIVEN TO TERRITORY
Presentation Made on 74th Anniversary of Alaska Purchase

Carrying out an expressed desire of the late Judge James Wickersham, the oil painting of Secretary William H. Seward which long adorned the Wickersham home, was presented to the Territory on Alaska's Seward Day by Mrs. Grace Wickersham.

The Judge, a lifetime student of everything that pertained to Alaska's past, regarded the painting which has now become the property of the Territory, as the best of the several portraits that had been made of the Secretary of State who negotiated the Alaska purchase from Russia. It was painted by H. Kauffman in the latter years of the Secretary's life. The canvas is about two and one-half by three and one-half feet in dimension and is encased in a well-designed gilt frame with glass.

In accepting the painting on behalf of the Territory, Gov. Ernest Gruening said "Alaska is grateful for the gift of this excellent portrait of a man to whom we are chiefly indebted for bringing this great north country into the fold of the United States. Without his vision and tenacity of purpose there can be little doubt but that Alaska would today be foreign soil. We can be sure that Judge Wickersham was well aware that acquaintanceship with such significant mementos of the past as this portrait helps to stimulate pride and interest in this Territory among Alaskans. As a leader among those who pioneered the work of implanting American culture and institutions in this new land he, himself, doubtless drew inspiration to carry on from his constant delving into Alaska's rich historical background."

The picture is to be hung on the walls of the broad staircase leading up from the main floor in the Governor's House.