Did you know that before it was Seattle’s first city park, Denny Park was Seattle’s first municipal cemetery? Created on land donated by David and Louisa Denny, burials started in the 1860s and continued until 1884 when Mayor Henry G. Struve signed Ordinance 571 to convert Seattle Cemetery into a… [ Keep reading ]
Did you know that Seattle City Light (SCL) used to employ a team of home economists? Led by chief home economist Mary Norris during the 1950s into the 1970s, they presented at regional home shows and to city employees, schools, and community groups on topics like canning, freezing, and holiday… [ Keep reading ]
Happy Native American Heritage Month! Today we’re remembering the Takeover of Fort Lawton, which began on March 8, 1970 when Native activists and their allies scaled fences surrounding what was then the recently decommissioned Fort Lawton military base in Magnolia, launching a coordinated effort to occupy and reclaim the land… [ Keep reading ]
Sometimes we come across materials in the archives that maybe weren’t originally intended to be creepy, but we still think they kind of are! One of our favorites is a postcard showing the La Sousa Clown Band, a regular attraction at West Seattle’s Luna Park during the summer of 1909…. [ Keep reading ]
October is Archives Month! This year’s theme for Washington State is “Express Yourself,” highlighting the diverse ways people have documented their lives, creative outlets, and personal perspectives. Archival repositories throughout the state hold materials of self-expression such as handwritten letters revealing thoughts and relationships; photographs of music and dance performances;… [ Keep reading ]
The archives has a collection of 29 photos highlighting the activities of the Parks Department’s Sails and Trails Club in the early 1930s, and we could use your help identifying the people and places depicted! The club was founded in 1929 by Parks employee Pearl Powell, who was hired during… [ Keep reading ]
The Seattle Parks Department’s Meadowbrook Pool officially opened to the public on October 14, 1975 – 50 years ago today! SMA holds materials documenting the planning, construction, opening, and use of this important community resource since it first began serving the public and nearby Nathan Hale High School students a… [ Keep reading ]
Welcome to Primary Sources, the new blog from the Seattle Municipal Archives (SMA)! We look forward to giving you a peek behind the scenes and sharing news, finds, and resources from the archives. What you can expect in this space: To kick things off, check out our Views from the… [ Keep reading ]
