Harriman brought with him an elite community of scientists, artists, photographers, and naturalists to explore and document the Alaskan coast.

He contacted Clinton Hart Merriam, the head of the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy at the United States Department of Agriculture, and one of the founders of the National Geographic Society.

Harriman told Merriam that he would cover the expenses of scientists, artists, and other experts who would join the voyage.

Some on the expedition referred to her as the George W. Roller, for its tendency to roll at sea, causing seasickness among the passengers.

The members of the interdisciplinary team included many of the best American scientists, artists, and photographers of the time.

Arctic experts Botanists Biologists and zoologists Geologists and geographers Artists and photographers Writers Harriman also brought a medical team, a chaplain, hunters and packers, guides, and taxidermists.

They then traveled farther north to Lowe Inlet, where they stopped to explore and document the wildlife.

On 4 June, they stopped in Metlakatla, the European-style settlement that was created by Scottish missionary William Duncan for the Alaskan indigenous people.

Edward Harriman’s wife wanted to put her feet on Siberian soil, so the Elder continued northward.

Subsequent volumes were written by other expedition scientists or authors hired by Merriam to finish the work.

While they often mentioned the beauty and grandeur of the Alaskan coast, the publications were mostly highly technical and written for scientists.

On the trip, he developed a close friendship with George Grinnell, who was an expert on Native American culture.

Curtis, moved by what was commonly believed to be a dying way of life, spent much of his career documenting Native American culture.

Years later, Muir recruited Harriman to help with governmental lobbying on National Park legislation.

They saw the remnants of the Yukon gold rush, and how self-serving treasure hunters were plundering the countryside and the dignity and viability of the indigenous cultures.

In the 19th century, the common way to write scientific articles was to create endlessly long descriptions of the physical characteristics of plants or animals.

While the scientists remarked in horror that the indigenous cultures were disappearing, they simultaneously felt that adopting modern European-style technology, dress, and customs would be a helpful step for them.

Upon seeing the indigenous peoples involved in salmon fishing operations and canning factories, those on the Elder felt different things.

Members of the expedition believed that the indigenous cultures of Alaska would soon be extinguished by the encroaching of modern civilization.

The 2001 scientists and crew, including the great-great-granddaughter of Edward Harriman, returned a number of artifacts to the descendants of the original Cape Fox Tlingit residents.