January's Photo Challenge Answer
Contributed by Mary Hammer, Digital Projects Archivist
Good to see so many of you flexing your guessing muscles for this challenge! This month's photo proved to be a tough one. Many of you came very close, but it was our own State Archivist, Steve Excell, who knew that this is Dege Peak. The caption reads:
Skiing at Dege Peak, Mount Rainier National Park, ca. 1930, by Orville Borgusen, State Library Photograph Collection. Located on the Sunrise side of Mt. Rainier, it looks a lot different from other vantage points. Take a look at
this site for more information about what I'm told is a very lovely day hike if you happen to be in the area. It was fun chatting with so many of you about just where this might be!
Thanks to those who submitted guesses, and thanks to all of you for reading!
|
|
February Photo Challenge
Contributed by Mary Hammer, Digital Projects Archivist
Ahh...didn't you love all the mountains and snow? We've enjoyed the vistas! Hope you have, too.
February brings with it a number of celebrations, one being Presidents Day. To that end, our next challenge is presidential in nature. To some, this may be an obvious question, but can you identify the President pictured here? And if that is too easy, try this--what year did he visit the Governor's Mansion? His signature is visible in the guest book, if you'd like to go take a peek. Also, can anyone name the other gentlemen in this photo? And who was Governor when this event was captured?
It's a lot, but we know that some of you are more than up to this task!
|
|
|
Legacy Washington spotlight: Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney
|
|
First in the "Who Are We? - Washington's Kaleidoscope" Series from
Legacy Washington
Contributed by Trova Heffernan
The Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, longtime fighter for social justice, secured Martin Luther King Jr.'s sole visit to Seattle in 1961. He faced threats to his safety and verbal taunts as a champion of civil rights. But even today McKinney refuses to give up on his lifelong crusade for equality. "We're not in Heaven yet," he told a crowd.
Click
here to read an excerpt from this remarkable man's story. Be sure and keep an eye on the
Legacy Washington page for upcoming stories that highlight who we are as Washingtonians. And
check out this photograph from our collection! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking in Seattle in November 1961.
|
|
|
Washington History on the Sixes...
|
|
For a different twist on "This day/year in history," we would like to introduce "Washington History on the Sixes," or--obscure bits of history from years ending in six. And we'd also like to tell you where you can find more about each event at the Washington State Archives.
Let's begin. The year is 1886...
Henry Landes took his oath of office as Commissioner of the School for the Deaf, Mute, Blind, and Feeble on February 19, 1886. His wife,
Bertha Landes, would become the first female mayor of an American city...which just happened to be Seattle, in 1926! Find more
Oaths of Office at the Digital Archives.
|
|
|
Finding Treasure: Maud Johnson
|
|
|
"Queen of the Fakirs"
Contributed by Logan Camporeale, Graduate Student Assistant, Eastern Regional Branch
Featuring our unique collections is a fun and effective way to make the public aware of the Archives holdings. Treasures of the Archives, a regular feature that appears on the main page of our website, does just that. A recent Treasure, "Wanted: Escaped Prisoners from the State Penitentiary, 1913," showcased a state-issued publication that cataloged escaped prisoners. While examining the publication, Graduate Student Assistant Logan Camporeale uncovered an intriguing female prisoner, Maud Johnson. Read more about Maud here.
|
|
BlackPast.org
An online reference guide to African American History
|
|
"BlackPast.org is dedicated to providing the inquisitive public with comprehensive, reliable and accurate information concerning the history of African Americans in the United States and people of African ancestry in other regions of the world. It is the aim of the founders and sponsors to foster understanding through knowledge in order to generate constructive change in our society." If you haven't checked out this powerful website yet, there is no better time than the present.
University of Washington Professor Dr. Quintard Taylor Jr. coordinates this amazing resource, which includes an e-newsletter and a section expressly for educators.
|
|
 |
Meet Helen Lewis, Volunteer with the Puget Sound Regional Branch, Bellevue
Contributed by Midori Okazaki
We'd like to take a minute to talk about our amazing volunteers again. This month, say hello to Helen Lewis. In January, the Puget Sound Regional Archives celebrated the 93rd birthday of this dedicated volunteer! Helen has been an official volunteer at the Bellevue branch for ten years, but she has been a regular presence at the Archives for over 25 years!
Click
here to read more about Helen, and how a cycling trip sparked a love for genealogy.
|
|
|
The Office of the Secretary of State routinely updates a blog entitled
"From Our Corner,"
in order to provide from-the-source information about important state news and public services. Often, stories of note from the Archives are included on this page.
Click here to check out past stories.
|
|
|
Legacy Washington: Who Are We?
|
Washington is a kaleidoscope of more than 7 million people-each with a unique story to tell. Where do we originate and who do we become? In our in-depth profiles and upcoming exhibit, meet a diverse cast of standouts influencing our communities.
Read the inspiring profiles here.
|
|
|
|
We hope you enjoyed this edition of "Out of the Archives!"
Banner Image: Inmate making a drawing of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, 1961, Department of Corrections, McNeil Island Corrections Center Photograph Collection, 1855-2010, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives.
|
|
|
|
