by Kirby Lindsay, posted 19 May 2014
Until the end of May, the Fremont Branch of the Seattle Public Library is hosting – and celebrating – Fremont history with an impressive display assembled by Fremont Historical Society (FHS) volunteers and library staff.
Nearly every month, the Fremont Library has a display based on a theme, and this particular partnership with FHS came inspired by National Historic Preservation month. Most years the FHS provides a display for the library, but this year both groups contributed and it is, in my opinion (as someone who enjoys Fremont, but not necessarily all the intricacies of history) one of the very best. It is well worth a stop and a look, or two!
The Fremont Library Collection
“We brought books in from around,” explained Andy Bates, Supervising Librarian for the Fremont Branch, “we really raided the whole system. We don’t do that every month.” Many months the Fremont Branch theme is one shared by other branches throughout the library system – like ‘Black History Month’ or ‘Banned Books’ – and that sets all the staff scrambling after the same materials in the collection.
For this display, the Fremont staff focused on Fremont, and “we’ve really brought in the best that Seattle Public Library has to offer,” Bates observed. They have a great collection of books on display, including the revelatory book on artist Rich Beyer, and the ‘People Waiting for the Interurban,’ written by his late wife, Margaret Beyer, and nearly all are circulating copies – that can be checked out. That includes the many books on display that concern Seattle, and Seattle history. “We have a lot of really fun materials,” Bates acknowledged, “people can take advantage of that.”
The Fremont Branch staff also did another display on their own – a large, printed copy of the 1905 Baist Real Estate map. Bates reported on the extreme interest visitors have shown in this artifact, but the number of people standing in front of the map testified as well.
Many people talk about the changes to Fremont over recent years, but check out this map and see what change is all about. This map predates the final digging of the Ship Canal, the Fremont Bridge – and included names of dozens upon dozens of businesses long gone and forgotten. It’s a great reference for anyone with a familiarity with Fremont, and anyone interest in seeing the way Fremont town used to look.
The Historical Society Collection
While the library staff went all out, the contributions by the Fremont Historical Society are equally impressive – and may even overshadow those of the library.
Just inside the front doors of the Fremont Library, FHS has photos collected from the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI,) Paul Dorpat and the U.S. Army Corps on the digging and opening of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. These are all rarely ever seen photos, and may even create more curiosity than they fulfill.
The rest of the FHS display contains the same layouts as in previous years – now and then photos and a one-page write-up on specific area structures. This year, however, the volunteers have mixed and mingled write-ups from previous displays with new contributions.
The Fremont Coffee Company ‘house’, and the Fremont Baptist Church, both have great information to share – but some may have seen these before. So, keep going and find the Bridgeview Apartments and the Fremont State Bank Building. The display also shows an almost unchanged ‘William J. Steinert Apartment House’, and information on the Fremont Arts Council Powerhouse workshop.
The display on Hawthorne Square may finally answer some often asked questions. The 1924 built compound of 24 townhomes near the Woodland Park Zoo, and the graceful, peace-filled courtyard at its center, feels otherworldly in Fremont. The write-up at the library describes the rarely seen condominium units inside the buildings, and explains that the same designers of Hawthorne Square created The Rainier Club in Downtown Seattle.
History Made Easy
Perhaps the best quality of this display of Fremont history at the Fremont Branch Library will be how it highlights resources actually available all year ‘round. The library staff and FHS volunteers gathered up these materials in one place, to make it easy for visitors to do a one-stop-shop, but nearly all the information can be accessed at any time.
The books, and the Baist map, are available through the SPL catalogue – and the SPL website. As for the FHS materials, the library staff will pack those away at the end of May 2014. However, the FHS has left handouts around the branch that share the organization’s website address – and invite comments and suggestions on the display. For those who want more, join FHS!
Fremont history remains more legend than fact, but the photos and maps being discovered by FHS volunteers do bring our stories to life – and anchor them. Stop by your Fremont Library over the next two weeks (although, all SPL facilities will be closed for Memorial Day, May 26th,) and enjoy the images, the map, and the information gathered for the education and entertainment of us all, while it’s being made so very easy…
Related Articles
- A Kickoff To History
- by Kirby Lindsay, May 4, 2005 in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook
- Saving Neighborhood History
- by Kirby Lindsay, March 18, 2009 in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook
- Finding Fremont History At History House
- by Kirby Lindsay, August 26, 2013
©2014 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.