Digging Deeper in 2015
Digging Deeper Research Series: a program that helps you explore buildings, architecture, and history
In 2014 Historic Seattle launched a program titled “Digging Deeper – Built Heritage.” The multi-session program was designed to provide attendees with behind-the-scenes insight to primary research materials in archives and libraries in Seattle and King County. The first session was held in February 2014 at the Dearborn House in the Patsy Fleck MacKay Library. Subsequent tours took place, one each month, at the Special Collections Division of the University of Washington, Sophie Frye Bass Library–MOHAI Resource Center, National Archives at Seattle, Seattle Municipal Archives, Seattle Room at the Seattle Public Library, Puget Sound Regional Archives, and concluded at the King County Archives.
The program was a major success! We received very positive feedback from both tour participants and from the archival staff that hosted visits. The program was even reported on at a joint AKCHO-SeaAA (Seattle Area Archivists) meeting in February 2014, as a “good example of a cultural organization promoting (and to some extent demystifying) the use of archives in research.” Additionally, Jill Morelli, one of the participants, blogged about her participation in the series on February 8, March 8, June 19, and September 13.
In 2015 we will again offer the Digging Deeper Series, this time with a new set of archives located in both King and Pierce County. Each month we’ll visit a selected archive or library and receive expert advice as to what is available and how staff can assist with research projects. The first site visit is scheduled for Saturday, February 7th with a visit to the Seattle Public School Archives in the SODO District. Archives Manager, Aaron Purcell, will provide us with insights as to the records that can be accessed, such as school board meetings/correspondence, building architecture, and student life.
In the following months, March through September, we will be visiting these archives / libraries:
Seattle Department of Planning and Development, March 5
University of Washington Built Environments Library, April 4
Fiske Genealogical Library (Madison Park), May 9
Washington State Historical Society History Research Center (Tacoma), June 4 or 6
Tacoma Public Library, Northwest Room (Tacoma), June 6
Eastside Heritage Center (Bellevue), August 8
Providence Mount St. Vincent Archive (West Seattle), September 3
You can learn more about the entire series and sign up to attend on our website.
Photos from the 2014 Digging Deeper Series by Luci Baker Johnson