Correspondence – Dept of Interior, Yellowstone

Eliza R. Barchus - Correspondence #2

This envelope, post marked July 13, 1907, holds a one page reply letter from the Secretary to the Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. From the response it is clear that Barchus had inquired on how to establish a relationship with the Park to sell her paintings. The letter states in part: Mr. F Jay Haynes, Yellowstone Park, Wyo,, has authority to deal in photographs and other pictures in the Yellowstone Park. Mr. Haynes was a well known photographer at the time. He was the official photographer during President Chester Arthur’s visit to Yellowstone in 1883. He later was granted a concessionary studio in the Park to sell his photographs. There is no extant record that establishes Barchus actually visited the Park, the U.S. first national park, though she did paint some of its natural wonders.