The photographer most closely associated with the park is E.W. Merrill, legendary Sitka art photographer. Merrill served as the park's first official custodian from 1919-1922. During that time, Merrill worked with Governor John G. Brady to install the park's historic totem pole collection along the trails. The fact that the park was a favorite subject is shown by the number of Merrill photos that either feature the park or use it as a background for other subjects, such as commercial portraits. Today, Merrill photographs are as important for the historical information they preserve as they are for their artistic composition.

Sitka National Historical Park has a collection of over 200 Merrill glass negatives.