A collection of Washington classics
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Are you a self-proclaimed Washington State history lover? If so, the State Library has a digital collection you will certainly enjoy.
The State Library’s Classics in Washington History collection has full-text books and out-of-print titles regarding 20th century events, county and regional history, exploration and early travel around the state, geography, industrial workers of the world, military history, Native Americans, natural history, pioneer life, territorial and state government, wagon trains, the Oregon Trail, the Washington Voters’ Pamphlet and women’s stories.
A few notable items for those curious about the collection:
- The United States Works Progress Administration news releases from the 1930s detail many happenings around Washington, including the construction of a stadium and library at the University of Washington. Several news releases can be found under the tab ‘20th Century Events.’ If you were wondering how much was spent to improve King County streets or to build housing at Fort Lewis, just check out the WPA news releases.
- If you’re interested in women’s literature, you’ll be impressed by the collection of materials under the ‘Women’s Stories’ heading. Diaries, articles and journals of many Pacific Northwest women from the 19th century, including Chief Seattle’s daughter Angeline, can all be found there. In the article titled, “Daughter of Old Chief Seattle”, Henry Yesler tells the tale of Angeline and her heroism while saving the settlers of Puget Sound from a frightful massacre.
- Saved for more than 150 years are documents from one of Olympia’s oldest and influential families, titled the ‘Bigelow Family Mementos.’ The collection has family photos, manuscripts, articles and a handwritten diary all belonging to the Bigelow family between 1848 and 1854.
- Laws, the Legislature and letters from the attorney general are found under the Territorial and State Government tab. There’s even a message from President Buchanan regarding the infamous “Pig War” on San Juan Island in 1859. For those of you not familiar, an American settler on San Juan Island shot and killed a pig belonging to the British Hudson’s Bay Company, triggering an international confrontation.
This is the latest in a series of blog posts, called “Falling for the State Library,” on your Washington State Library’s many online services and features. The Library is a proud division of the Office of Secretary of State.
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Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs
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