Building Dialogue is Historic Seattle’s bi-monthly reading and discussion group. Engage in a facilitated conversation about books, films, articles, podcasts, and more on preservation and the built environment with others who share an interest — and perhaps some expertise — in the subject.

We will share the reading/content assignment prior to each meeting then hold a virtual (via Zoom) facilitated discussion about the work. Drop in for one or join us for all – a commitment to participate in every discussion is not required to take part.

This month we will explore the development and growth of  Seattle’s neighborhood business districts, using excerpts from Paul Dorpat’s and Jean Sherrard’s Seattle Now & Then: The Historic Hundred to frame and guide the discussion.

The photo book is a compilation of Paul Dorpat’s popular Seattle Times column, “Seattle Now and Then,” accompanied by Sherrard’s present-day photographs of these historic sites. We look forward to having Paul, Jean, and Clay Eals (a contributing writer for Now & Then) join our discussion on March 10th!

Registration for this event is now closed. Please click here to view the live stream on our YouTube channel.

Please see below for the reading assignment:

From the book:
Chapter 53, pages 134-135
The Entrepreneurial Edmiston
Original publication date: May 12, 1991

Chapter 27, pages 74-75
Annexed and Preserved
Original publication date: January 8, 1984

Chapter 28, pages 76-77
Broadway in Transition
Original publication date: March 11, 1984

From the archives
Beacon Hill Traffic
Original publication date: June 15, 2013

Click here for the discussion questions.

Click here for the discussion guidelines.

Historic Seattle’s virtual programming is funded in part by a grant from the Eldridge Campbell Stockton Fund for Washington of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.