Seattle (October 17) – Standing alongside City of Seattle employees, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan kicked off the celebration of the City of Seattle’s 150th year and helped launch Seattle at 150: Stories of the city through 150 Objects from the Seattle Municipal Archives. Seattle at 150 is a commemorative book that features objects from the Seattle Municipal Archives spanning the last 150 years.
While the City was officially incorporated 150 years ago on December 2, 1869, we must remember that Indigenous people have lived on these lands since time immemorial. Today and every day, we remember that we are honored to reside in Coast Salish territories.
“I’m so proud to serve as Mayor during the City of Seattle’s 150th anniversary. The city has seen such incredible growth and change over the past 150 years, and all of it has been possible because of the dedicated City employees who work, day in and day out, to help our communities build better lives for themselves and their loved ones,” said Mayor Durkan. “I encourage people to explore the Seattle at 150 book and archives, and to celebrate and remember our shared history.”
“This impressive compilation of images and research developed in collaborative partnership with HistoryLink showcases the rich holdings of the Seattle Municipal Archives,” said City Clerk Monica Martinez Simmons.
“The value of the Archives is in the voices that tell so many stories,” said Anne Frantilla, City Archivist. “Agency employees and elected officials communicate with each other in reports, memos, letters, and photographs and community voices are captured in letters, audio recordings, and petitions.”
The 150 objects in the book illustrate how Seattle has changed over the years, from our massive population growth and economic boom, to the waves of new residents who make our City more inclusive and just, to the impact of community organizers and civic leaders who constantly push for positive and lasting change. Seattle at 150: Stories of the city through 150 Objects from the Seattle Municipal Archives will be available on November 1, 2019 via local independent book sellers and online.
An online exhibit of the Seattle Municipal Archives accompanies the book. The exhibit is available online at: http://archives.seattle.gov/digital-collections/index.php/Gallery/296.
A gallery exhibit featuring selected items from the book Seattle at 150 is open in the Seattle Municipal Tower Gallery on the Level 3 Concourse and will run through the end of December. The exhibit is open to the public.
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