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Tag: State Archives

Kittitas Ruralite Magazine provides a glimpse into the past

Kittitas Ruralite Magazine provides a glimpse into the past

Ruralite Magazine was first published in 1954 with “a spirit of public service and forward-looking sensibility.” But the magazine was not exclusive to Kittitas County as it was published by public utility districts across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Montana, and Alaska. Each state had multiple Ruralite versions specific to particular counties or regions, and by 1977, there were about 38 different editions going out to 157,000 households across the Northwest. This personalization of the magazine provides a unique window…

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In memoriam: Sid McAlpin, State Archivist from 1963-1994

In memoriam: Sid McAlpin, State Archivist from 1963-1994

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Sid McAlpin, State Archivist from 1963 to 1994. To those who worked in the Washington State Archives in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Sid was not only a leader, but also a friend and mentor. Sid’s work as State Archivist was significant and extensive. The following are only some of his many great accomplishments and contributions. Moved the Records Committees from Destruction to Records Retention…

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Exploring the old school records of the State Archives

Exploring the old school records of the State Archives

It’s September and the start of a new academic year, so the branches of the Washington State Archives are abuzz with new and returning student interns. This inspired us to think about about school records, so let’s explore what Archives’ school collections encompass. Some of the records we have are from either the state or county levels, including: maps for school boundaries, bus routes, teacher contracts, superintendents’ reports, school annual reports, county school district audit examinations, school censuses, yearbooks, and…

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August Archives Treasure poll: Ready, set, vote!

August Archives Treasure poll: Ready, set, vote!

We’ve shown off the three Archives Treasures for August, so now it’s up to you and our other loyal blog readers to select the favorite. This month’s three choices are Gov. Dan Evans’ 1974 letters to members of Congress asking them to consider amnesty for President Nixon, 1920 photos of a Vancouver shipyard and photos of the 1971 Satsop rock festival. You can pick your favorite by accessing our online poll (below), which is open until this Friday at 5…

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WA joins MagnaCarta800 celebration

WA joins MagnaCarta800 celebration

Washington state is joining the national and international celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, the foundational document for the rule of law and individual liberties. The Washington Supreme Court is hosting the state celebration at noon on Monday, June 15, on the Capitol Campus. All are welcome. The event is organized by a citizen committee led by retired Supreme Court Justice Gerry Alexander and history exhibit designer Sue Lean of Olympia. The celebration is sponsored by the…

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Free `GC2G’ exhibit now cooler, with tablets!

Free `GC2G’ exhibit now cooler, with tablets!

Check out a cool new feature of our Grand Coulee to Grunge exhibit   — tablets!  Bilingual translations, great archival photos, drilldown information and more add to the experience of the popular exhibit in the Secretary of State’s lobby in the Capitol. Our Legacy Washington team now has five tablet computers available for office visitors to check out at the front desk to enrich their visit. The exhibit opened late last summer and comes down this October before going on the…

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Remembering Mount St. Helens & May 18 eruption

Remembering Mount St. Helens & May 18 eruption

(Photo courtesy of Washington State Library.) For many Washingtonians, the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, is one of those moments forever ingrained in collective memory. Saturday is the 33rd anniversary of the iconic mountain blowing her top. We  feature photos from our State Archives and State Library showing how the mighty mountain and nearby Spirit Lake were popular recreational spots in the years before the devastating eruption. The last photo shows the mountain sending ash thousands…

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Classic gov bill-signing photos: Locke and Gregoire

Classic gov bill-signing photos: Locke and Gregoire

(Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives.) We’ve reached the fifth and final in a series of blog posts featuring classic State Archives photos of Washington governors signing bills into law. Closing it out are Gary Locke and Chris Gregoire.  Locke is featured above at a 2001 bill signing, and Gregoire is shown below in a 2010 photo. Other governors featured in bill-signing photos are: Clarence Martin and Arthur Langlie; Albert Rosellini and Dan Evans; Dixy Lee Ray and John Spellman;…

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Special anniversary for a NW climbing icon

Special anniversary for a NW climbing icon

(Photo courtesy of State Archives’ State Governors’ Negative Collection) You don’t need to be a mountain climber to recognize and appreciate Jim and Lou Whittaker. The twins and Seattle natives are Northwest icons for their climbing achievements spanning more than five decades. This week marks a special anniversary for Jim Whittaker. It was on May 1, 1963, when Whittaker became the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak at 29,028 feet. The photo above shows…

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After 45 years in public life, Sam Reed bids farewell

After 45 years in public life, Sam Reed bids farewell

(Photo courtesy of  Legislative Support Services Photography) Secretary of State Sam Reed bade a fond farewell to the people of Washington Tuesday after 45 years in public life, including 35 years as a state and county elected official. Addressing a joint session of the Legislature, Reed brought along a special reminder of his family’s long connection to Washington politics and government — his grandfather Sam Sumner’s battered leather briefcase.  Exactly 100 years earlier, Sumner, a state GOP chairman and longtime…

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