From the beginning…How The Magnolia Historical Society Got Its Start!
The Magnolia Historical
Society had its beginnings when an eager but untested team of volunteer
writers first came together to write a neighborhood history book. The Magnolia
Community Club (now Council), MCC, asked Monica Wooton, the chair of their
Historical Committee, to write a new history of Magnolia. Previously, the MCC had
writer and Magnolian, Aleua Frare, produce a small volume of homespun,
anecdotal history, MAGNOLIA: Yesterday
and Today, for the U.S. Bicentennial Celebration of 1976.
In accepting the new assignment,
Wooton decided to design a neighborhood history writing process for memoir and
academically-researched history using volunteer writers, most unpublished. It incorporated
a peer editor model, an educational "how to write history” packet, and
broad outreach to the Magnolia community’s potential first-person narrators and
research writers. The first call for volunteers began with Wooton passing out flyers for "The Magnolia Essay Project I" from
an antique decorated card table at Summerfest 1998.
That
first fearless and amazing group of 13 writers quickly stepped up and the process
began. The Magnolia Public Library was
the official headquarters and meeting place. With a City of Seattle Department
of Neighborhood Matching Grant, this team began over a yearlong journey
together: reading, researching, writing, and rewriting (especially rewriting).
Together, they sought out and studied family scrapbooks, connected and
interviewed the early movers and shakers of Magnolia, researched and raided
every archive in the City of Seattle for anything “Magnolia”. They wrote down
their own memoirs and memories.
Paul
Dorpat, columnist and local historian, and Charles Payton, then Heritage Lead/Community Museum Advisor at 4Culture/King
County Cultural Resources,
provided inspiration, resources and cheerleading for the team and book. The
writers became a true chorus of voices - compatriots consulting maps, finding
archival photos, and peer editing each other’s work into what became a
beautiful, coffee-table style book of wonderful neighborhood history and
images. The award-winning Magnolia: Memories & Milestones was
published in 2000.
In
2001, most of those 13 writers reunited and founded the Magnolia Historical
Society (MHS) a 501c3 nonprofit organization. And, as they say, the rest IS
history!
Together,
they developed the MHS Mission:
Initiate interest in Magnolia history
protecting it for future generations.
Inspire the Magnolia community to help us gather
acquisitions for our photo and document archives at UW Special Collections.
Invest in community historical
research and writing of Magnolia history that facilitates historic projects and
events.
Encourage a more accurate “sense
of place” through our work preserving the stories and images of Magnolia.
Participants in making, MAGNOLIA: Memories & Milestones. Front to back, left to right.1st row: writer Joy Carpine (and, Petey); writer Hal Will; writer John Hendron. 2nd row: writer Scott Smit; project manager/writer Monica Wooton; writer Patty Small; photographer Roy Scully. 3rd row: Jonathon Wooton, researcher; writer Joan Santucci; writer Rob Hitchings, Shirley Will, Betty Ivie. 4th row: writer, Gail Perterson-Martin; Cindy Howel, MCC; Rob Wilson, MCC. Back row: Steve Erickson, MCC; writer Nancy Worssam; Dan Kerlee. local historian. Not Shown: Claudia Callan, peer editor, writer Bob Kildall, Paul Langland (designer), writer Rick Malsed; Whitney Mason (editor); Mimi Sheridan, peer editor; writer Sam Sutherland. Photo by: Paul Dorpat.
Writing history, sponsoring historical events and collecting archival materials to be protected at UW Special Collections for future generations to come have become a specialty of the Society. In the nearly 25 years of its existence, they have: produced The News Quarterly, taught free memoir writing workshops, consulted with and researched history for other community organizations. They created with Magnolian artist John Leglar a public sculpture for the Magnolia Village..
They were responsible for a local history column in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News, worked on
guidelines for the Fort Lawton Historic District, helped with the 125th
Anniversary Celebration of the West Point Light, had displays at Summerfest, participated
in the planning for the 50th Anniversary of Discovery Park and held
meetings on historic topics by local experts. They created the Magnolia
Historic person of the Year Award that hangs at the Magnolia Library. The
plaque there, with recipient’s names, highlights people who have made
significant contributions to Magnolia’s history or history collection.
In
2005, Book II, "Magnolia Essay Project II" attracted 32 volunteer
writers and concentrated on the 1920s to ‘40's. Those efforts resulted in the
2007 award-nominated Magnolia: Making More Memories. When the call
went out for Book III in 2018, "Magnolia Essay Project III" focused
on the fabulous ‘50s and turbulent ‘60s. Over 60 Magnolians took on that
writing challenge. Their efforts culminated in Magnolia: Midcentury
Memories another award-winning book, published in 2020, launched and
released during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The
constants in the book writing were: the volunteer authors, a unique project
design, steady project management, “how to write history” packets, peer
editors, the Department of Neighborhood’s matching grants, the Magnolia Public
Library, a talented book designer, and a
great grant manager/bookkeeper. Knowledgeable librarians, local historians, historical
agencies and archivists watched and participated each time Magnolians made
history. Each iteration brought their own brand of infectious excitement,
undying enthusiasm and unique voices as they wrote “their” Magnolia book. Yes,
the rewriting was a never-ending process - as were the frequent celebrations
and the notable book launches. All the history was academically-researched,
writers were all Magnolians, the memoirs first-person narratives.
Once
again, MHS is getting back to its writing mission. This online, ongoing written
historical collection MAGNOLIA: MORE
Memories & Milestones continues the nearly quarter-century tradition of
written history by Magnolians sharing stories. As the print books go to Kindle
editions, this ongoing, online publication serves as the place Magnolians can
still bring to life the memories, the milestones, and the eras they lived
through. Peer editors and "how to write history” materials are still part
of the process. We would love your memorabilia, memoirs, stories that
document historical people, places and things, photo essays, and ideas for
topics. We also have a list to choose from if you want to write; but, need a
topic. We so look forward to Magnolians making MORE Memories & Milestones.
And, the next 25 years of the Magnolia Historical Society!
Note: Authors usually reside, work or have resided in Magnolia.
Questions or concerns – don’t hesitate to reach out!
Go to the SUBMISSIONS tab to get more specific info!
OR
CONTACT US:
info@magnoliahistoricalsociety.org
MHS Presidents:
Monica Wooton
Joan Santucci
Charlotte Claude
Bud Nicola
Linda O’Neil
Jeff Cunningham
Dee St George
Brian Hogan
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