WA Secretary of State Blogs

October 1st Event – Audio Archaeology at Madigan Army Hospital’s Radio Station

Thursday, September 18th, 2014 Posted in Articles, For the Public, News | Comments Off on October 1st Event – Audio Archaeology at Madigan Army Hospital’s Radio Station


WSL Program Image

Upcoming Event at the Central Library!

Hidden Voices: Audio Archaeology at Madigan Army Hospital’s Radio Station, with Dale Sadler (Cultural Resources Specialist), and Duane Colt Denfeld (Architectural Historian), Joint Base Lewis-McChord Cultural Resources Program

Wednesday, October 1, 2014 @ 12:30 – 1:30 pm

Washington State Library, 2nd Floor

Point Plaza East, 6880 Capitol Blvd., Tumwater

(360) 704-5200

In this Washington State Archaeology Month presentation, Dale Sadler and Duane Colt Denfeld of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Cultural Resources Program will examine a fascinating part of Washington State’s history that was discovered during renovations in 2011 at Madigan Army Medical Center on JBLM in Pierce County. At that time thousands of phonograph records and other musical artifacts were found hidden behind a gymnasium wall.

Research identified them as recordings produced by the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) from the World War II years through 1959. The recordings had been broadcast on the Madigan General Hospital (later Madigan Army Hospital) Bedside Network station, which used the call letters KMGH and later KMAH.

In their talk the speakers will focus on the sound artifacts (transcription discs and acetate recordings) and other related media objects (radio scripts, record sleeve annotations, etc.) that were uncovered in 2011. Some of these artifacts will be on display and the actual transcribed audio used to supplement the presentation. It will be a wonderful opportunity to literally hear the past.

This program is free to the public. You are welcome to bring lunch. Coffee will be served.

Lively Art @ the Ellensburg Public Library

Friday, February 1st, 2013 Posted in Articles, For Libraries, For the Public, Site Visits | Comments Off on Lively Art @ the Ellensburg Public Library


Hal Holmes Center Mural (adjacent to the library) Many libraries are embellished with significant pieces of art found in the building or on the immediate grounds, enhancing their attractiveness to patrons and visitors. Not too long ago I had the opportunity to visit the Ellensburg Public Library, where I encountered quite a remarkable collection of art works. If you’re in Ellensburg, it’s worth a visit to the library just to check them out!

Many of the art pieces there grace the exterior building and grounds. These ranged from the brightly colored mural on the adjacent Hal Holmes Center building, to the charming if slightly disconcerting Kitt Coyote who greets you as you approach the library entrance. On the day I visited, he was flourishing a brightly colored bouquet of flowers that someone had handed to him.Kitt Coyote @ Ellensburg Public Library entrance

I hope you’ll follow the links to view several more pictures of these pieces and more. Look for the appealing bas relief of a girl and boy sharing a book under the apple trees, with a mountain in the background.

Not to mention the impressive labyrinth, depicting the history of the county in four quadrants: In the Beginning; And Then People Came to Live; And Then People Built Towns and Industries; And Now Our Hands Build for the Future.

Inside you’ll encounter the beautiful Margaret Holms Memorial stained glass window, depicting a woman reading to children, while a couple of engaging dogs look on. Brightly colored ceramic tiles and earth toned vases by a local artist ornament another room. The whimsical anthropomorphic stepping stool “whatsit” is apparently a favorite with the children, while kindergartners themselves painted the equally delightful “Tulip in the Kinder Garden” a splashily decorated exemplar of the “Cows Around Town” project.

Finally, I had the enjoyment of viewing several of Doc Hageman’s pieces fashioned from paper pill cups. Since those were a temporary exhibit while I was there, you probably won’t be lucky enough to see them if you visit now.

Art makes everyone’s day brighter, especially when it’s found @ the library!

WSL Updates for December 30, 2010

Thursday, December 30th, 2010 Posted in For Libraries, Grants and Funding, News, Training and Continuing Education, Updates | Comments Off on WSL Updates for December 30, 2010


Volume 6, December 30, 2010 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) WSL GOES SOCIAL

2) GRANTS FOR THE BIG READ

3) TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY FOR SECONDARY EDUCATORS

4) AFTER-SCHOOL ARTS PROGRAMS RECOGNIZED

5) OPEN GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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