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Ancestry Day in Washington State

Ancestry Day in Washington State

SAT, SEP 24 AT 8:00 AM, TACOMA, WA * Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center * Tickets $15 – $35            Join Ancestry, Washington State Archives, Washington State Library, Legacy Washington and the Washington State Historical Society as they present Ancestry Day in Washington State, Sept 23-24, 2016. Both novice and experienced genealogists are welcome at this event. Registration for the Ancestry Day on Saturday, Sept 24 is $35.00 and includes admission to all Saturday classes presented by Ancestry….

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The Tale of the Washington State Bird, Volume 1: Meadowlarks, Goldfinches, and Mugwumps

The Tale of the Washington State Bird, Volume 1: Meadowlarks, Goldfinches, and Mugwumps

From the desk of Mary Paynton Schaff Every school child knows that the willow goldfinch is the official State Bird of Washington.  But less well known is the fact that the willow goldfinch had a long and controversial road to approval – 23 years of bickering and grandstanding, all of which culminated in a dramatic and highly amusing floor debate in the state’s House of Representatives. But first, let’s go back to 1928 when Washington’s school children were given the…

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National Parks Service in Washington State (parks, reserves, historic sites, etc.)

National Parks Service in Washington State (parks, reserves, historic sites, etc.)

Selected Resources National Park Service 2016 marks the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service. “That’s 100 years of protecting America’s natural, historical and cultural treasures from all over the United States. These more than 400 beautiful, historic and exquisite sites cover over 80 million acres consisting of approximately 18,000 miles of trails, more than 75,000 archaeological sites and at least 247 species of threatened or endangered plants and animals.” (Text from http://bit.ly/2allmnJ.) Interior Department National Park System. National Park System…

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Classics in Washington History -A Pioneer’s Search for an Ideal Home

Classics in Washington History -A Pioneer’s Search for an Ideal Home

From the desk of Jeff Martin A Pioneer’s Search for an Ideal Home Written by: Phoebe Goodell Judson Union Printing, Binding and Stationary Co., Bellingham, Washington Publication date: 1925 Phoebe Goodell Judson who crossed the Plains in 1853 and became a resident on Puget Sound before the organization of Washington Territory. A Book of Personal Memoirs (Published in the author’s 95th year) CHAPTER I It is the oft repeated inquiry of my friends as to what induced me to bury…

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National Park Service – One Hundred Years

National Park Service – One Hundred Years

From the desk of Rand Simmons This August 25th the National Parks Service (NPS) celebrates one hundred years of service to the nation and, indeed, to the world. The year was 1916, but national parks, designated by various federal agencies, have existed far longer than the NPS.  The first was the District of Columbia, authorized on July 16, 1790. It included the National Capital Parks, National Mall and the White House. My personal relationship with National Parks was shaped by where I was born…

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Olympics of the Mind and Body – August 2016

Olympics of the Mind and Body – August 2016

Taking an in-state vacation this month?  Need ideas of things to do?  Well Shirley has done it again! August is the last month in the series but she tells us she’s barely scratched the surface of interesting things happening around our beautiful state. From the desk of Shirley Lewis August 1 Hungry? The Washington State Department of Agriculture created the Savor Washington series of online publications to tempt taste buds and satisfy nutritional needs from “Seattle to Spokane, through diverse landscapes…

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Paddle to Nisqually

Paddle to Nisqually

Have you been following  the Paddle to Nisqually ? The Tribal Canoe Journeys  happen every summer on the waters of the Pacific Northwest? Each year a different tribe hosts the celebration which follows the final landing of all the canoes, many of which have traveled great distances.  This is a special year for the Nisqually Tribe as the journey ends with them. Indigenous peoples have made this canoe journey up and down the coastal waterways for thousands of years, but by 1989 the…

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Special Edition! Washington Digital Newspapers website is ready for the oldest & newest news!

Special Edition! Washington Digital Newspapers website is ready for the oldest & newest news!

From the desk of Shawn Schollmeyer The latest “news” on the newspaper collections is the merging of two existing collections into a new one called “Washington Digital Newspapers,” (WDN) which will give the public easier, full-text search access to these historic newspapers (move over, Google!). You can now browse titles, view by calendar date or pick a location from a map to search the issues here. The collection currently includes more than 45 titles and over 306,000 newspaper pages. Now it’s…

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Washington State Library Digital Collections – Historical Maps

Washington State Library Digital Collections – Historical Maps

From the desk of Jeff Martin The State Archives and the State Library hold extensive map collections dealing with the Washington State and the surrounding region. This new blog post shows two more examples. The first map shows military stations occupied and abandoned as of January 1881; railroads existing and projected; wagon roads, and lighthouses. The map has been reduced in size for presentation. Author Symons, T. W. (Thomas William), 1849-1920. Title Map of the Department of the Columbia /…

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Historic Fire Lookouts in Washington

Historic Fire Lookouts in Washington

As we enter, what will no doubt be, another intense fire season in Washington State, it is comforting to know that technology and modern methods are in place to spot and stop wildfires quickly.  But it also brings to mind a reflection on how fires were managed in the early 20th century.  One answer was a chain of fire lookout stations, many built by the CCC in the 1930’s.  “Back in the 1930s the still-growing lookout system seemed like a stable…

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