Smokestack Arias promo © 2011 courtesy of Robin Holcomb

4Culture is excited to announce the premier of Smokestack Arias – a song cycle inspired by the labor uprising that culminated in the events of November 5, 1916 known as the Everett Massacre. Composed by Wayne Horvitz with text by Robin Holcomb, the work will be performed by Maria Mannisto (soprano voice) and Cristina Valdes (piano). Each song assumes the perspective of a different woman affected by the tumultuous occurrences, creating an intimate and personal account of this seminal event in the history of the labor movement in the Pacific Northwest. Dayna Hanson, experimental stage artist and choreographer, will direct. Eight performances are scheduled for February 2 – 12 at ACT Theatre in Seattle. This is a Central Heating Lab Event, funded in part by 4Culture’s Individual Artist Projects program.

For more information visit acttheatre.org or call (206) 292-7676.

Section of triptik map showing transportation options in Des Moines, 1921, published by Automobile Club of Western Washington (AAA)

Join the Des Moines Historical Society at the Des Moines IOOF Hall, Wednesday February 8th at 7pm to hear the fascinating story of “Des Moines Transportation From the Beginning” as told by Al Ramey, President and Founder of the Northwest Public Transportation Historical Group. Mr. Ramey will present a program on the history of public transportation between Des Moines and Seattle, from early boat travel to motor vehicles and road development. Bring your questions, and stay for refreshments and stimulating conversation afterwards.

“Des Moines Transportation from the Beginning” lecture by Al Ramey
IOOF Hall, 728 S. 225th Street, Des Moines, WA
Wednesday, February 8th, 7 – 9 p.m.
Questions? Call (206) 824-52226

© 1965 Bob Adelman/Magnum Photos, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a quiet moment during the march to Montgomery, Alabama

4Culture is dedicated to equity and social justice. One of the many ways we mark this commitment is through our long-standing partnership with King County in planning and hosting an event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2012 is the 25th anniversary of the King County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. At this year’s event, we will hear inspiring words from County leaders and enjoy music from 4Culture Touring Arts Roster artists Abracé. All are welcome to this free event on January12, 2012 – Noon to 1 p.m. at Benaroya Hall, Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall.

Many citizens and visitors are not aware that King County was renamed to honor Dr. King. You may know that in 1986, the United States Congress established Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a National Holiday. Also in 1986, the King County Council passed a motion re-designating the namesake of King County to commemorate Dr. King. County Councilmembers intended to honor the slain civil rights leader, and provide an educational opportunity for citizens to further consider King’s accomplishments and principles. King County was redesignated to honor Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a motion introduced and co-sponsored by Councilman Ron Sims and Councilman Bruce Laing.

Through this motion, King County now works to “honor a man who inspired a nation to strive in a non-violent manner for human rights, civil liberties and economic guarantees rightfully due all people; a man who with fortitude and vision opened doors of opportunity for all to participate fully in the fabric and richness of the American experience.”

In 2006, King County Council decided to replace the old King County logo (an image of a crown) with an image of the county’s namesake, Dr. King. 4Culture guided King County through a year-long collaborative process, which resulted in adoption of a new logo created by local graphic design team, Tony Gable Design Group.

It seems fitting, as we reflect on the contributions of Dr. King,  to educate ourselves about our own civil rights history. Civil rights movements in our region began before the well-known struggles in the South in the 1950s and 60s. The movements here depended upon, not only African American activists, but also Filipino Americans, Japanese Americans, Chinese Americans, Jews, Latinos, and Native Americans. Activists also depended upon elements of the local labor movement.  Explore the Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project to learn more about our region’s challenges, and it’s activists, some who continue this important work.

Today, King County and 4Culture reflect upon a question posed by Dr. King: Every person must decide, at some point, whether they will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment. Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’

nominees for the 2010 AKCHO Awards © 2010, courtesy of AKCHO, photo by Kimberly Jacobsen

The Association of King County Heritage Organizations (AKCHO) is seeking nominations for their 2012 Awards, which recognize excellence and individual commitment to King County’s history. There are nine categories to choose from, and nominations can be submitted by an individual or group. Guidelines and additional information can be found on the AKCHO Awards website: www.akcho.org/awards. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, February 17, 2011 at 4pm.

Many thought-provoking heritage-related exhibits, presentations, and other projects that identified and shared the unique history of King County were completed this year – so fill out a nomination to honor your organization, your staff, your colleagues, or your volunteers. 4Culture is a proud supporter and community partner of AKCHO. Don’t forget to ‘Save the date’ for the annual AKCHO Awards ceremony, which will be held on the evening of April 24th, 2012 at the Museum of History and Industry.

Black Bear Manufacturing Company workers, date unknown, courtesy of the Renton History Museum.

The Renton History Museum recently completed cataloguing and digitally scanning its oversize photograph collection, over 650 images representing important Renton industries such as coal mining, clay and coal processing, and logging. Digitizing this collection made this formerly inaccessible set of large photographs available for research and publication, while safely storing the originals in archival materials to protect them from light, dust and handling.

Andrea Cohen, a student intern, assisted with the cataloguing process and wrote short blog pieces about her research for select photos. These can be viewed on the Museum’s website www.rentonhistory.rentonwa.gov under the “News” tab. The oversized image collection contains many items of note, including a rare 1902 image of Renton’s amateur baseball team, a 1923 group portrait of the Central Council of the Pacific Coast Coal Company on the company’s first anniversary, and an image of women workers at the Black Bear Manufacturing Company around the turn of the twentieth century. Other images are of early school plays, the lumber industry, panoramas of Renton, and short-lived local businesses. With the completion of the oversize photograph collection, all 15,000 of the Museum’s historic photos are now catalogued and searchable from the Museum’s computers.

A National Historic Landmark, the Panama Hotel was built 1910 as a single-room occupancy (SRO) hotel, primarily serving newly immigrated Japanese. Designed by Sabro Ozasa, a Japanese immigrant and one of the first Japanese architects to practice in the Seattle area, the hotel retains much of its original character both inside and out. Visitors can stay in one of the single rooms, or tour the original Hashidate Yu bathhouse, a traditional Japanese-style bathhouse in the basement of the hotel, or explore the ground level retail. Approaching the hotel from the street, visitors will also see the original, beautiful worked, iron fire escapes located on the east and west exterior walls. 4Culture funds will go towards stabilizing these working fire escapes for continued use in the future. Extant features like these are what cement the Panama Hotel’s key position in historic Nihonmachi (Japantown) and as a contributing building within the International District.

Also constructed in 1910, the West Kong Yick building was one of two twin buildings erected side-by-side in the I.D. by the Kong Yick Investment Company. The investment company pooled money from local Chinese American community members to fund the construction of buildings that would serve as the anchor of a “new” Chinatown. These buildings originally functioned as gathering spaces for the Chinese American community and as temporary residences for Chinese immigrants. 4Culture funds will be used to continue the owners’ massive rehabilitation effort by stabilizing the roof and south wall of the building. Work is currently underway, and if you have passed by the building recently, you will see 4Culture’s banner proudly displayed on the S. King Street façade.

In Seattle, the Murakami family stores have served as a social gathering place for Japanese patrons and community members in since Sanzo Murakami opened the original Higo Ten Cent Store in 1909 on Weller Street. In 1931 he relocated the store to a newly constructed building on S. Jackson Street, where the Higo Variety Store operated for the next seventy years. More than just a place to purchase traditional Japanese items/foodstuffs, locals would come to socialize, locate relatives, and get information about jobs and housing. The space currently holds a small gallery featuring Japanese crafts and design, yet the “Higo Variety Store” sign still stands as a physical reminder of the important role the Murakami store played in Seattle’s Japanese American community. 4Culture funds will be used to rehabilitate the sign, an illuminated steel and plastic design that was installed in 1957.

For more information on 4Culture’s Landmark Challenge Grant program, which funded these projects, contact Flo Lentz, Preservation lead, at flo....@4culture.org or 206 296.8682.

Images: 2011 © Panama Hotel, courtesy of Jan Johnson; 2011 © West Kong Yick building, 4Culture staff; 2011 © Jackson Building/Higo Variety Store, courtesy of Paul Murakami

October is here, and that means it’s time to get out your history primer, walking shoes and best fall haunt outfit and join in the Georgetown Haunted History Tour. Presented by the Friends of Georgetown and Theatre Off Jackson, the tour is back for the 7th year with new stories, acts and songs. October 21 & 22 are the dates to attend with five tours each night beginning at 6:30, and one big party after at The Stables in the historic Seattle hood of Georgetown. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets.

Image: Haunted History Tour, 2007 © courtesy of Friends of Georgetown History

Des Moines Field House Park
Designed in the Rustic style popularized by the National Park Service, the Des Moines field house is one of the five extant Works Progress Administration (WPA) built community buildings in King County. Built around 1938 this gabled building is full-log construction with a wood shingle roof. The building continues to operate as an activity center, with youth summer camps and after school activities in the first floor auditorium and basement. Outside, 4Culture funded the restoration of the original wood baseball stands, which, along with the rustic picnic shelter (built to compliment the field house), are also available for public use.

Des Moines Beach Park
The Beach Park, formerly Covenant Beach, has a rich and central history in the development of Des Moines area. Originally the site of an early sawmill, in 1917 the property was turned into a private playground and beach for Children’s Industrial Home of Des Moines up on the bluff. By the 1930s, the property had become a summer camp for the North Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. The buildings that remain at the site today were constructed by the church in the rustic style with strong elements of Swedish design for the congregation which was of primarily Swedish-decent. The park boasts sweeping views of the sound and cool forest walks along paved paths.

Downtown Burien
Burien is one of King County’s most ethnically diverse and fastest growing cities. It also has a pretty sweet downtown. Visitors can see the history of Burien in the transition of building styles along SW 152nd street – from the first decades of the 20th century when the town was a popular stop on the trolley for leisure seeking Seattleites, through the 1950s when it became a bustling suburb. Even with overcast skies, downtown Burien is still bustling with farmers markets and outdoor concerts in Town Square Park, and unique business attracting locals and tourists alike.

For more information about our advisory committees and their affiliations, visit 4Culture’s homepage and click on “Leadership” under “Who We Are.”

Images: Des Moines Field House Park, 2011 © photo by 4Culture staff; Church at Des Moines Beach Park, 2011 © photo by 4Culture staff; Tin Theater in Downtown Burien, 2011 © photo by 4Culture staff.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS/LETTERS OF INTEREST

THE NEELY MANSION ASSOCIATION, AUBURN, WASHINGTON

Deadline: October 3, 2011

The Neely Mansion Association in partnership with the 4Culture Arts, Heritage and Historic Preservation Programs, is seeking letters from individuals or organizations interested in stimulating community participation through the creation of public events and activities at the historic Neely Mansion and surrounding grounds.

Projects will explore the richly layered history of this restored 19^th century home while engaging the community in a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultural relevance of this historic King County landmark near Auburn, Washington.

All disciplines and genres are welcome for consideration including theater, music, storytelling, film or digital media, visual art, sculpture, fashion and design, gardening, culinary, durational or seasonal events and activities, and community participatory events. For more information about the call and information on how to apply, visit our Opportunities listing.

Image: Neely Mansion in Auburn © 2007, 4Culture.

The Delta Masonic Hall in Tukwila will host King County Historic Preservation Program’s 2011 John D. Spellman Awards on June 17th. King County Executive Dow Constantine will preside over the awards honoring exemplary achievement in Historic Preservation. The doors open at 9:30am for coffee and refreshments; the ceremony begins at 10:15am. The hall is located at 13034 41st Avenue South, Tukwila, WA 98168-3118. For a map click here.

Four awards will be given this year: the Spellman Youth Award to Waylon Robert of Seattle for Preservation Advocacy; the City of Kent for Preservation Planning; Wendy Walsh, Woodinville vicinity, for Archaeological Site Stewardship and Education; and to the Cascade Land Conservancy, City of Tukwila and Friends Group for the Duwamish Hill Preserve Education & Interpretive Plan (a 4Culture funded project). To learn more about the award ceremony and this year’s recipients, read King County Historic Preservation Officer Julie Koler’s article in AKCHO’s June Heritage Advisor.

Image: Students from Foster High School learning about the Green Duwamish Watershed & Hill Preserve © 2008, courtesy of Cascade Land Conservancy.

Learn about Seattle’s Waterfront History at the Central Library
Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Microsoft Auditorium, Central Library, 1000 4th Ave, Seattle
Join Peter Steinbrueck and Jennifer Ott for a visual history of Seattle’s central waterfront — before and after the viaduct. Explore reasons why the Viaduct was built, and how Seattle’s central waterfront has evolved since its early days when it consisted of streets and buildings perched on pilings. Peter Steinbrueck is an architect, policy maker and former Seattle City Councilmember. Jennifer Ott is a staff historian for HistoryLink.org. For more information, visit www.spl.org/locations/central-library.

History Café: Historic Photography
Thursday, June 16, 2011, 7 – 8 p.m.
Roy St. Coffee & Tea, 700 Broadway Ave E, Seattle
Presenters Paul Dorpat, David Martin, Rob Ketcherside, Julie Kerssen, and Casey McNerthney will show some historic photographs and talk about what photography can tell us about history. This event is part of the History Café series, which takes place on the 3rd Thursday of the month, and is brought to you by MOHAI, The Seattle Public Library, Roy Street Coffee and KCTS 9. Each café features a different topic, and invites history enthusiasts to come together and share what you know. For more information visit www.meetup.com/KCTS-9-History-Cafes/events.

Join the White River Valley Museum in celebrating the grand opening of the Mary Olson Farm June 18th, from 11am to 2pm. Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis will join museum and farm director Patricia Cosgrove for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. “This has been years in the making, so we are incredibly excited for the grand opening of the Mary Olson Farm,” Mayor Lewis stated in a recent press release.

This is a free event, and all are welcome! Opening-day visitors will have the option of walking around the farm at their leisure or receiving a tour from a volunteer docent. Bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it.

The City of Auburn purchased Mary Olson Farm through the King County Conservation Futures Fund in 1994 and the restoration work started a few years later, following a period of planning. The farm’s restoration budget totaled $1.64 million, of which $1.61 million was raised through City support, donations and grants (including several 4Culture awards through our Preservation & Heritage programs). Today, the Mary Olson Farm is a King County Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Significant features include an 1897 barn, a fully restored 1902 farmhouse, a century-old orchard, three salmon runs in Olson Creek and a remarkable collection of outbuildings, including a smoke house, outhouse and weaving house. The farm will operate as a living history and environmental learning site, and will also be available for community and special events.

Mary Olson Farm is located at 28728 Green River Road in Auburn. For directions visit www.wrvmuseum.org/Olson_Farm/farm_location.html. This summer, drop-in hours are available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during these weekends: June 25 and 26; July 9 and 10, 23 and 24; Aug. 13 and 14, 27 and 28; and Sept. 10 and 11. Admission for the summer drop-in hours is $5 adults, $3 children/seniors and $15 for a household or family. For additional information contact Patricia Cosgrove at pcosgrove[at]auburnwa.gov or 253.288.7437.

Image: Mary Olson Farm orchard and weaving house © 2011. Restored Olson Farm house © 2011. Both images courtesy of the White River Valley Museum.

Local History month is an opportunity for residents to consider the big themes present in the history of small places. Public recognition of local history helps to foster local pride, maintain community character, and build a deeper sense of appreciation for the place itself. In celebration of Local History Month, the Issaquah History Museums are teaming up with local businesses to sell history-themed coffee beverages (Common Grounds at Front Street Market) & T-shirts celebrating Issaquah’s unique past. For additional information about who is participating in Local History Month, or about the Issaquah History Museums, visit www.issaquahhistory.org.

To encourage members of the Association of King County Historical Organization to take advantage of this chance to learn more about best practices, procedures, and policies for heritage collections, the AKCHO board has approved a limited number of $65 scholarships to offset the cost of registration. These scholarships are available to AKCHO members only, and to take advantage of this offer, you must register for the workshop by May 23.

If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please contact Eric Taylor at 206-296-8688 or email to inform him that you have registered for the workshop. If you are currently an individual AKCHO member or represent an organizational member, and are among the first ten to register before May 23, you will receive your scholarship payment at the workshop on June 23.

Historic Seattle Preservation Awards
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 5:30pm – 8pm
Talaris Conference Center, 4000 NE 41st Street, Seattle
Join Historic Seattle in celebrating outstanding achievements in preservation at their 3rd Annual Awards ceremony at Talaris Conference Center in the U District. This year, they acknowledge the stewardship that has preserved an elegant campus of Northwest Modern buildings–integrated pavilions by Naramore, Bain, Brady & Johanson (NBBJ) set into a harmonious landscaped park designed by Richard Haag Associates for the Battelle Memorial Institute during the years 1966 to 1970. Formal program begins at 6:45 pm and ticket prices start at $50 for members. Visit www.historicseattle.org for more information and to register.

RevitalizeWA Conference
Wednesday – Friday, May 11-13th, 2011
Marcus Whitman Hotel, 6 West Rose Street, Walla Walla
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and the Washington State Main Street Program will host “RevitalizeWA, the Washington State Main Street and Preservation Conference,” at the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center in Walla Walla on May 11-13, 2011. This two-day conference will feature a variety of sessions relating to the revitalization of historic downtowns. Conference overview, schedule, and online registration is available through www.brownpapertickets.com/event/165934.

Stamets HABS/HAER Photography of the Pacific Northwest
May 2011 (Special talk May 18th!)
Gallery 4Culture, 101 Prefontaine Place S., Seattle
Gallery4Culture is celebrating National Preservation Month with an exhibition by photographer John Stamets. A select group of Stamets’ black and white photography, taken as part of his work with Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) and Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) programs of the National Parks Service, will be on exhibit through the month of May. Stamets will also give a special public presentation on his exhibit at 4Culture the evening of May 18th, so check back for updates.

Union Station 100th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, May 20, 2011, 2pm – 7pm
Join The Alliance for Pioneer Square and Sound Transit as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of Union Station and the launch of “Trail to Treasure,” a historic interpretive trail through Pioneer Square. The celebration will feature walking tours, information about planning efforts affecting the neighborhood, a live brass band and model train exhibit. For more information visit www.soundtransit.org/UnionStation100.

View from Below: Metro Tunnel Revisited
Sunday, May 22, 2011, 9am – 12pm
Klondike Gold Rush Historic Park Auditorium, 168 S. Jackson Street, Seattle
When the Metro bus tunnel opened in 1989, this progressive public works project represented the largest collaboration of engineers, architects, and artists in Seattle’s history–a marvel of design and construction. Join Phil Jacobson, Mark Spitzer, and Jack Mackie (leaders of the original design team), as they explain how each station was developed with a combination of materials, forms and artwork which relate to its location. To register or for more information visit www.historicseattle.org/events.

Visit www.4Culture.org/apply for a calendar of open programs, and click on “collections care” to review the guidelines for HCC and access the online application. Contact Eric Taylor, Heritage Lead, at 206.296.8688 or eric.taylor[at]4culture.org for questions about the program or eligibility.

Image: Restored WPA Mural by Kenneth Callahan © 2010, courtesy of Museum of History & Industry

A sweet map to tempt your sweet tooth, a website that explores early Seattle theaters, an exhibit on traditional diets of the Native peoples of Puget Sound, and stories capturing the impact of the 1962 World’s Fair. These are just a few of the new projects to be developed with funding from the 2011 Heritage Cultural Education and Heritage Special Projects programs. This year, thirty-eight proposals were selected for support totaling $174,731 in new awards for county-based projects. Recipients include five curriculum-based projects, including student interviews of attendees to the World’s Fair, and thirty-three Special Projects focusing on the interpretation, documentation, and exhibition of King County heritage.

Other successful applications include a proposal from local artist and writer Julia Harrison to create a SweetMap that explores the historic and contemporary importance of Asian confections within King County. From mochi and moon cakes, to bubble tea and crepes, the map will feature sites within the International District in Seattle, as well as Renton and Shoreline. Also funded is a sequel production of the Saar Pioneer Cemetery Living History Project, Voices of Kent’s Pioneers. This historical performance project is a unique collaboration, between South King County Genealogical Society and Book-It Repertory Theatre, that last year “brought to life” the pioneers buried within Kent’s Saar Pioneer Cemetery. Based on the success of Voices of Kent’s Pioneers, the Neely Mansion Association was also awarded funding to partner with Book-It to produce a historical performance based on the lives and inhabitants of the Neely Mansion near Auburn. With this new batch of projects, there will be a lot to see and do in the upcoming year, so be sure to check back to our blog for progress updates.

Click here to view the list of funded 2011 Heritage Special Projects, and here for 2011 Heritage Cultural Education projects.

Image: Pounding mochi © 2011, courtesy of Julia Harrison

This year’s recipients include the South King County Genealogical Society, which will receive an award of $6,700 for innovative research that will lead to continued restoration of the Saar Pioneer Cemetery in Kent.  This forgotten graveyard has been recently rescued, cleaned up, and re-introduced to the public by a dedicated group of local genealogists.

Another LRP award will fund much-needed painting and repairs to the newly designated Richmond Masonic Center in Shoreline, in the amount of $10,000.  The Masonic Center Association plans to restore and revitalize this highly visible 1920s community facility, located right in the heart of Shoreline’s new town center.  

The City of Snoqualmie will also get an assist with their revitalization efforts, with a $10,000 award for storefront design for multiple buildings in the downtown historic district.  The City will work with private property owners who are interested in doing simple, effective, and historically-appropriate façade improvements.

2011 Landmark Rehabilitation Program Recipients:

For more information on the Landmark Rehabilitation Grants, contact Flo Lentz, Preservation 4Culture, 206 296.8682.

The Mary Olson Farm in Auburn was recently featured in The Horde & the Harem Gold Rush video.

Check it out…

Click here to view the embedded video.