Alan K. Engen photograph collection

Collection

Identifier: P0413

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Alan K. Engen photograph collection is one of the University of Utah's premier ski collections. The Engen collection documents the history of skiing in Utah in detail, and touches on the many aspects and evolution of the sport of skiing.

Alan Engen has diligently collected and organized ski images ranging in subject matter from the origination of skiing, to Utah's first skiers, the development of ski jumping in Utah, "Utah's" 1948 Olympic Ski Team, Ski jumping, and notable University of Utah skiers. In compiling this extensive history of skiing, Alan Engen drew heavily from his personal collection of family photographs. As a result the Alan Engen collection focuses much attention on the Engen brothers, Sverre, Alf and Corey, all of whom played a fundamental role in the development of the sport of skiing in Utah. In addition to highlighting the Engen brothers, the Engen collection also focuses on other Utah ski pioneers and notables and the development of ski resorts throughout Northern Utah, including Alta, Brighton, Snow Basin, Solitude, and others.

The majority of the Alan K. Engen collection is organized into books by subjects and dates. In addition to photographs and slides, many subjects addressed in the books include extensive notations, essays, and relevant lists of skiers and awards. The first eight books have been kept in their original order as received from Alan Engen. The images are well identified with names and dates. Most of the descriptions found in the inventory were taken directly from the captions provided on the back of the photographs.

Boxes 4-11 were received piece by piece between 2000 and 2005. They have been organized topically.

Most of the images in boxes 4-11 are marginal quality copy prints. Also included are original photos and negatives of Becker Hill in Ogden and Ecker Hill. There are many duplicate images.

It is important to note that Engen was the collector the material and often was NOT the photographer.

Dates

1860-2004

Creator

Engen, Alan K. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Sketch

Alan Engen, named one of the Legends of Utah Skiing in 1988, has been involved with skiing for almost sixty years. He is the author of the award-winning books, "First Tracks: A Century of Skiing in Utah," and "For the Love of Skiing: A Visual History" (Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 2001 and 1998), and is chairman and president of the Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation, chairman and President of the Alta Historical Society, board member of the International Skiing History Association, and charter advisory member of the University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library's Utah Ski Archives. Engen is currently the Director of Skiing at Alta, Utah, and has been affiliated with the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) for more than forty years. He and his wife Barbara, live in Salt Lake City, Utah; they are the parents of two sons.

Author Unknown, 2001

First Tracks: A Century of Skiing in Utah

Extent

25 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Alan K. Engen photograph collection contains images documenting the history of skiing in Utah, including its origination, early skiers, and the development of ski jumping and ski competitions. Much of the collection focuses on the Engen brothers, Sverre, Alf, and Corey and their contributions to the development of skiing in Utah. Included are images documenting the development of ski resorts in Utah, including Alta, Brighton, Snow Basin, and Solitude.

Arrangement

The majority of the Alan K. Engen collection is organized into books according to subjects and dates. The first eight books included in the following inventory have been kept in their original order as received from Alan Engen.

The Alan K. Engen collection is not fully processed. This register and following inventory is not complete.

Boxes 4-11 were received later and have been organized alphabetically by people, groups, subjects, places, and events. Box 11 focuses on Olympic photos and also has a jumping scrapbook, mostly of Ecker Hill, and other miscellaneous items. Descriptions have been taken from the photos where possible.