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WASHINGTON’S DIGITAL HERITAGE: AN AUDIO & VISUAL HISTORY

WASHINGTON’S DIGITAL HERITAGE: AN AUDIO & VISUAL HISTORY

The Washington State Library’s annual Washington Digital Heritage grant cycle has helped preserve a wealth of historical documents from organizations and private collections statewide. These grants support libraries and partner organizations in digitizing historically significant primary sources, special collections, and archives. In addition, the projects support the creation of digital exhibits, oral histories, open educational resources, and other community memory initiatives. Here are some highlights from the 2019-2020 grant cycle. Asotin County Library The Asotin County Library digitized a privately…

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RIP Billy Frank Jr.: `A singular force’

RIP Billy Frank Jr.: `A singular force’

(Photo courtesy of Laura Mott) Billy Frank Jr., a central figure in the decades-long struggle for tribal fishing rights, has died at age 83. Frank, longtime chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Evergreen trustee and civic activist, was subject of a well-received Legacy Project book, “Where the Salmon Run: The Life and Legacy of Billy Frank Jr.”  It is available free online, and for sale in print.It was written by Trova Heffernan and published by the University of Washington…

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7-term State Auditor Bob Graham dies at 93

7-term State Auditor Bob Graham dies at 93

John Hughes (left) interviews former State Auditor Bob Graham at home in March. (Photo courtesy of Laura Mott.)   Robert V. Graham, elected seven times as Washington state auditor, died at his Olympia home on April 16, four days past his 93rd birthday. John Hughes, chief historian for the Secretary of State’s Legacy Project, completed an oral history and profile of Graham just two weeks ago. “His mind was nimble until almost the end,” Hughes says. “During World War II,…

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Now hear this! It’s Archives Month!

Now hear this! It’s Archives Month!

If you think that the Washington State Archives is only focused on maintaining and preserving paper records and collections, think again. The Archives also has a growing collection of audio recordings going back decades and relating to Washington’s state and local government. In fact, these audio recordings are the focal point of a month-long celebration.  This marks the seventh straight year that the State Archives is celebrating Archives Month throughout October in Washington. This year’s theme is “Hearing History,” and…

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New Billy Frank Jr. Biography from the Washington State Legacy Project

New Billy Frank Jr. Biography from the Washington State Legacy Project

Drawing from oral history interviews with Billy and those best acquainted with him, Legacy Project Director Trova Heffernan traces Billy’s development from angry young man on the banks of the Nisqually to passionate elder statesman and chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. The book is filled with photographs and contains an extensive family tree.

Lillian Walker, civil rights pioneer, honored

Lillian Walker, civil rights pioneer, honored

It was like a combination of birthday party, book-launch, political rally and roast for a revered old friend. Lillian Walker, who has just turned a feisty 97, was the honoree at a civic event sponsored by Secretary of State Sam Reed, the YWCA and Mrs. Walkers’ numerous friends, family and colleagues in the long struggle for equality for all. Well before Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks were gaining fame, Mrs. Walker and her late husband James were organizing…

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5 Questions about the new Nancy Evans book

5 Questions about the new Nancy Evans book

One of the Legacy Project’s oral histories has become the program’s first printed book. The biography and oral history of Nancy Evans, Washington’s remarkable former first lady, is now available for purchase. John Hughes, the Legacy Project’s chief oral historian, wrote the biography and conducted the oral history interviews with Mrs. Evans. Here’s his take on this fascinating project: 1) Why would the average person want to pick up this book? In other words, what’s in it for me? Nancy Evans…

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Free and fun: E-biography of trailblazer Jennifer Dunn

Free and fun: E-biography of trailblazer Jennifer Dunn

The price is right – like, zero – and the storyline is darned interesting.  The oral-history folks at The Legacy Project have just e-published the ninth in a series about fascinating folks who have made a difference in Washington.  The late Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn is the subject of the latest biography. Family and friends of Dunn’s gathered in Bellevue Tuesday night for a sentimental ceremony rolling out the new e-publication.  Guests ranged from high school classmates and GOP officials she worked with…

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Nancy Evans: She did it all

Nancy Evans: She did it all

This afternoon the Governor’s Mansion was packed with all sorts of guests – including its former lady of the house. Nancy Evans, the youngest Washington first lady in state history and advocate for saving the mansion from demolition, was the guest of honor at today’s reception celebrating the launch of her oral history as part of the Office of Secretary of State’s Legacy Project. The oral history explains how the first lady saved a landmark, served as her governor-husband’s not-so-secret-weapon,…

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Legacy Project honors space hero

Legacy Project honors space hero

Washington’s first and only woman astronaut, Bonnie Dunbar, is the most recent subject of the Office of Secretary of State’s Legacy Project.  In her oral history, you can read about how this extraordinary engineer reached for the stars – and made it there. Secretary Reed and the Legacy Project team held a reception in her honor on Tuesday at the Museum of Flight in Seattle to celebrate her story and contribution to Washington State. You can read Dr. Dunbar’s oral history…

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