Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts

Happy 245th Birthday, America!

Sunday, July 4, 2021


The United States has grown considerably since its origin with the 13 Colonies - in number and certainly in geography. 

Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!



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No big celebration for Lake Forest Park's 60th birthday - but just wait until 2036

Saturday, June 19, 2021


City of Lake Forest Park Turns 60 on Sunday, June 20, 2021

Thanks to the pandemic, there is no fanfare planned for the 60th anniversary of the incorporation of Lake Forest Park on June 20, 2021. 

Nevertheless, lots of information about the City and its history is available on the LFP website. Check out the History Pages for historical facts and lots of interesting old photos commemorating the City’s history.

Join us in 2036 for the 75th anniversary celebration, when the time capsule from the 50th anniversary event in 2011 will be unveiled!



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On a hill with a northwest forest canopy....

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Veterans and volunteers placed flags at the Naval
Chapel on the Fircrest campus. Photo courtesy Shoreline
Preservation Society.
A beautiful little Chapel stands in Tribute to veterans who lived and died in service to their country. 

It was built there to provide comfort and healing to soldiers who experienced the pain of war.

A small group of veterans and supporters placed flags around the Shoreline Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest School.

They offered hope that the Landmark status it has achieved would be maintained and strengthened.

Shoreline Preservation Society has filed a legal appeal to oppose the last challenge by DSHS in a Motion for Reconsideration.

If you would like to help, now would be a great time for a donation to support this work.

https://preserveshoreline.wordpress.com/donate/ 

For more information contact Janet Way at 206-734-5545

The Fircrest campus is on 15th NE, south of Hamlin Park.



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Fircrest Chapel and Forest supporters gather at Dunn Gardens

Friday, May 28, 2021

Fircrest Chapel supporters gather at Dunn Gardens
Photo by Lance Young

Last Friday a wonderful group gathered to celebrate and defend the Fircrest Chapel and Forest. It was a beautiful May evening and over 25 garden and history enthusiasts came together to hear about the current challenges facing the historic Naval Hospital Chapel and its surrounding Forest Canopy at Fircrest School in Shoreline.

A legal appeal was filed on Thursday, May 20, 2021 by the Shoreline Preservation Society to the Shoreline City Council to challenge the last decision by the King County (Shoreline) Landmarks Commission. 

That decision was to give back approximately 1/5 of the historic forest which was recently landmarked just in January, to DSHS (Department of Social and Health Services), who implied it wanted an additional parking lot there.

Fircrest Chapel signs at the Dunn Gardens gathering place
Photo by Lance Young

This action would put the Chapel itself at risk potentially by removal of over 30 significant trees at the toe of the hillside where the historic building rests. The Chapel and its forest are potentially at risk from all sides because of possible development plans for new facilities and housing proposals.

The Chapel was built in 1944 during the height of WWII, and envisioned by Captain Joel T. Boone as a place for the injured sailors being treated at the hospital and their families to find a respite in the forest.

The beautiful Dunn Gardens was an inspirational
setting to talk about saving trees. Photo by Lance Young
Commander Boone was ahead of his time in his understanding that the forest has a restorative ability that soldiers returning from battle find curative after the trauma they may have suffered.

It was fitting to have the Garden event at Dunn Gardens because that site is on the National Register of Historic Places, as the Chapel and its Forest are eligible for as well.

The Chapel was the very first freestanding, inter-denominational Naval Hospital Chapel built in America.

It would indeed be an amazing asset for Shoreline to have this place recognized Nationally and SPS believes this should be the goal.

SPS is so grateful to Dunn Gardens and all of the wonderful folks who are supporting us in this effort.

Folks are invited to still donate as they see fit at our website here: www.preserveshoreline.org

--Janet Way



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The Richmond Beach Celebration wraps up the month of May

By Teresa Pape
RBCA Executive Director

The Richmond Beach Celebration wraps up the month of May

Week 4: May 23-31, Get out and explore the community.

There are many ways you can get outside and explore the community not only this week but all though the summer. 

Here are a few ideas:

Support the Richmond Beach Community Association
with a membership or donation and get a free sample tasting kit of smoked extra virgin olive oil from Richmond Beach’s own Cascade Fusion. 

Find the RBCA tent on Saturday, May 29, near the Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, starting at 10:00am and become a member for only $20. Limited quantities of tasting kits will be available.

The Shoreline Historical Museum Self-Guided Walking Tour:
take a self-guided tour of the old town of Richmond Beach with an updated map and location descriptions.

The tour is the result of a wonderful collaboration between the Richmond Beach Neighborhood Association (RBCA) and the Museum (SHM)! 

Download the map from the SHM website at https://shorelinehistoricalmuseum.org/richmond-beach-walking-tour/ then follow along with a series of 35 recorded vignettes on the Richmond Beach YouTube channel, "RichmondBeachTV" describing each stop on the map, many with accompanying historical photos!

Expedition Richmond Beach: The last year has seen many of you spend more time walking around Richmond Beach. Some walkers tend to stay in their part of the neighborhood while others wander into the far corners of the community. 

Ever wonder just how observant you have been (or can be) on your walks? The RBCA has posted pictures of a bunch of “interesting” spots in Richmond Beach ranging from garden art to weird stumps to secret paths to small streams you might have missed.

Richmond School 1891
The area was divided into four quadrants – northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast and organized the pictures into four albums, one for each quadrant. 

Your challenge: pick a quadrant and go on an expedition to see how many of the spots you can find - there are four or five spots in each quadrant. 

Some will probably be easy, some maybe not so easy, but all the pictures were taken from the sidewalk or roadway so there’s no need to sneak into anyone’s yard. 

For a bigger challenge pick a quadrant you don’t normally walk in – it will be more fun exploring other areas and you will need to pay more attention to what you are walking by. 

Find the details and pictures on the Richmond Beach Community Association’s website:

Whether you are searching for your favorite orca art piece, having fun at one of the many parks or walking along the bluff, our community has it all and getting outside and exploring the community is a perfect way to end the month-long Richmond Beach Celebration.


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Gov. Inslee signs bill to put statue of Billy Frank Jr. in U.S. Capitol

Thursday, April 15, 2021


Gov. Jay Inslee signed HB 1372 today, which will place a statue of tribal leader Billy Frank Jr. in the National Statuary Hall. 

Inslee was joined by members of Frank’s family, tribal and community members, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and Rep. Debra Lekanoff when he signed the bill in a ceremony at Wa He Lut Indian School in Olympia.

“Billy Frank Jr.’s legacy should inspire Washingtonians to have open discussions about our place in the world, both what we take from the earth and what we give back. And it reaffirms certain truths as old as the Nisqually Tribe itself: That the environment is not just a resource; it is our home, and we must protect it,” Inslee said.

Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page

Information about Billy Frank, Jr HERE



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WA Secretary of State: Effort to keep Washington State Archives local and accessible is not over

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Secretary of State
Kim Wyman
OLYMPIA — In response to the White House Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) decision to withdraw its approval of the sale of National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) Seattle facility, Secretary of State Kim Wyman issued the following statement.

“OMB took a crucial step today in withdrawing approval for the sale of the National Archives in Seattle.

“I applaud the enduring commitment and hard work Washington’s Congressional delegation, tribal communities, historical and cultural groups, and many others have undertaken for over a year to keep our state’s archival treasures accessible and local.

“However, the effort to ensure these records remain local and accessible is not over. I encourage Congress to work with OMB on a permanent solution to keep these records in Washington, as well as with NARA and communities throughout our region on ways we can improve archive storage and preserve our state’s historical records for generations to come. It is imperative these groups are engaged and included in all future discussions.

“Washington State Archives, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, continues to be a partner with NARA with the common goal to protect and preserve government records. We look forward to furthering our joint collaboration to preserve Pacific Northwest history.”

Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees a number of areas within state government, including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. 

The office also manages the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, and administers the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.



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The Seattle Times: Firland Sanitorium

Sunday, April 4, 2021

Firland and its campus now belong to CRISTA
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Then and Now writer Clay Eals wrote a lovely story in The Seattle Times about the Firland Sanitorium for last Valentine's Day.

"Firland Sanitorium in Shoreline offers up an unlikely example of love"

I'm not sure why there is a vactor truck in the Now photo but I do understand why Shoreline Historical Museum Director Vicki Stiles is in the center of the photo.

Firland was a tuberculosis sanitorium in the years when the only cure was extended bed rest. I had a friend who was there as a teenager. I think he was too sick to be bored most of the time, but it was not the way to spend your teenage years. 

Because of copyright, I am unable to reproduce their photo but you can look at it here

Modest as always, Vicki says "I didn't have much to do with it, except helping with the history and being there for the photo shoot."

--Diane Hettrick



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U.S. Senator Patty Murray introduces bill which would effectively stop the sale of the Seattle branch of the National Archives

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

U.S. Senator Patty Murray
On March 24, 2021, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) led Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in introducing the ARCHIVES Act.

The Act would amend the Federal Assets Sale Transfer Act (FASTA) to add a requirement that properties cannot be sold or transferred unless the relevant agency has consulted with all affected Tribal governments or if the sale would harm access to agency services by a federally recognized Tribe.
 
This targeted legislation would only affect facilities that provide services to Tribal members, such as the federal archives facility in Seattle.

It would effectively halt the current process to close the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Federal Archives and Records Center in Seattle.

“The generations of history and artifacts stored in the Seattle federal archive facility are critical to telling the story of the Pacific Northwest, especially for our region’s Tribal communities,” Senator Murray said. 
“This bill would correct a flawed process and ensure that Tribes are a part of any decision regarding the future of this facility, which houses so many critical pieces of their history."

Read more here


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"My Unforgotten Seattle" embraces disability

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Lina Benson 
Photo provided by Lina Benson
By Lina R. Benson and Sally R. Yamasaki

A few months ago, author of "My Unforgotten Seattle" Ron Chew was interviewed virtually at Lake Forest Park’s Third Place Books about his memoir and preservation of Asian American history and the strength of its community leaders.

Epiphanies that turn to reality come to Ron Chew on his daily 20-mile runs. On one particular day, it struck him that several Seattle activists that he had worked with over the years were now gone and he was concerned that their stories might be lost forever. 

That epiphany inspired him to write his memories of growing up in Seattle as the son of parents who immigrated from China, and of the many people who have helped shape the communities that have too often been ignored. 

The result is his recently published memoir, "My Unforgotten Seattle."

I had heard so much about Ron’s book and couldn’t wait to dive into all the stories he collected. Bill Radke of KUOW described "My Unforgotten Seattle" as the “most Seattle book” he had ever read. 

It is a unique and rarely told story of Ron’s life woven into the history of Seattle’s International District which gives us an intimate experience with a significant part of Seattle history that you won’t see anywhere else.

Ron recalls his grandparents, undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. from China during the Chinese Exclusion Act, and because of this, shares how he came to understand on a deeper level his mother’s fear of her security as a U.S. resident, and the fear some immigrants live with today. 

Ron portrays the dignity and humanity behind the often-overlooked waiter who was his father at a well-known Chop Suey restaurant in the International District. We also get to know Lily Yamada, “an older woman with a bun of white hair,” who worked as a hairdresser at Uwajimaya and lived on the same floor as Ron. Lily was a survivor of the atomic bomb, a hibakusha, from Hiroshima. She told Ron about the horrific experience and what that meant to her.

As a young adult Asian American Trans-Racial Adoptee, I knew I wanted access to this captured history through the voice and lived experience of Ron, a Chinese American who was raised in Seattle. 

However, just like tens of millions of other Americans like me, reading for me means reading audibly, due to my learning disability. As a result, the way I access printed literature is through audio books.

Soon to be available in audiobook

One thing I’ve come to know about Ron is his life mission of being a disruptor for justice and that he’s always reaching a hand behind him to support future BIPOC generations to further this goal. 


To make his book more accessible, Ron’s latest project is creating an audio version of his memoir. A joint project between Chew Communications, partnering with Seattle’s Talking Book and Braille Library, and the International Examiner, they plan to have the audio book available later this year. 

Soon, I and many, many more, will be able to enjoy Ron’s memoir and the stories of the many unforgotten people who have helped shape the history of Seattle’s International District.



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DSHS and DNR challenge portion of Fircrest Chapel landmark status

Monday, March 22, 2021

Fircrest Chapel's wooded setting is part of its landmark
status - but DSHS wants to expand a parking lot.
Photo courtesy SPS
DSHS has filed an application for a Reconsideration of the Landmark Status of the Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest,  just secured by Shoreline Preservation Society and their many supporters in January of this year.

The Chapel is a nationally significant site since it was the very first freestanding, non-denominational Naval Hospital Chapel. It was built at the Naval Hospital Base in 1944 at what is now Fircrest School in Shoreline.

A hearing is scheduled this Thursday, March 25, 2021 starting at 4:30pm on Zoom to hear a challenge from DSHS to the recent landmark status for the historic Fircrest Chapel. 

At issue is not the chapel itself but the amount of forested land landmarked with the chapel. DSHS wants to adjust the boundary to allow them to expand the parking lot at Fircrest School.

This would be done in a section of native forest designated as a part of the Landmark landscape. This forest was originally highlighted by Captain Boone, the Commander of the Naval Hospital as his inspiration for building the Chapel.
  
The Shoreline Preservation Society invites the public to weigh in to protect this unique community asset, one of the few Landmarked elements in Shoreline.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS; SPECIAL TAX VALUATION APPLICATION; REQUEST TO RECONSIDER LANDMARK DESIGNATION BOUNDARY DATE, TIME, PLACE:

Thursday, March 25, 2021, 4:30 p.m. Zoom Conference Access Link:
Meeting ID: 896 9247 1595 
Passcode: 494361

If you have questions, please email or call Chair Janet Way janetway@yahoo.com, 206-734-5545.



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Presentation by Vicki Stiles: Women’s Work - The Impact of Women in Northwest King County History

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Dr. Frances Hardy-Smith, Richmond Beach's first resident physician,
practicing there from 1930 to 1970. Photo courtesy Shoreline Historical Museum.


Women’s Work: The Impact of Women in Northwest King County History
Saturday, March 13, 2021 from 1:00pm – 2:30pm, online event

Vicki Stiles, executive director of the Shoreline Historical Museum, will present photos, documents and personal accounts revealing women as equal partners in the creation of the community. 

Stiles will demonstrate how historical perspective is enriched and informed through the inclusion of stories once dismissed as unimportant.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Richmond Beach Library.

Registration required by 12pm on Friday, March 12. You will be sent a Zoom link the day before the event.

Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities is available by request. Please contact the library at least seven days before the event for ASL interpretation, captioning services and/or other accommodation for online programs.

Send your request to kcls-shoreline@kcls.org



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The Washington State Library

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

The Washington State Library in Tumwater

Washington State Library (WSL) has digitized over 450,000 pages of historic Washington newspapers for the Washington Digital Newspapers (WDN) website, including more than 27,000 pages now available and free to the public.

These include the Anacortes American (1985-2000) and The Catholic Northwest Progress(1957-1966). The WDN program is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

In 2018, WSL received a $324,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to participate in the National Digital Newspaper Program by digitizing 100,000 more pages for Chronicling America

Hosted by the Library of Congress, Chronicling America is a national newspaper site with over 15 million keyword-searchable pages. New titles including The Northwest Enterprise, Northwest Times, Spokane Woman, Southwest Washington Labor Press, and White Bluffs Spokesman are now available – all of which are in the public domain.

WSL’s physical newspaper collection in Olympia includes over 6,500 newspaper titles with more than 50,000 reels of microfilm. It’s one of the best “go-to” places for Washington newspapers!

--From the office of the Washington Secretary of State



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Washington State Archives: Black history in Washington

Monday, March 8, 2021

Washington State Archives new exhibit on Black history in Washington
Photo courtesy WA Secretary of State

The Washington State Archives building in Olympia has a new lobby exhibit called “Black History in WA.” It arrived in time for Black History Month in February and will be up through most of this year.

The exhibit includes fascinating photographs that capture celebrated moments in our state’s rich Black history, along with highlights from the Black Project oral histories collection.

In 1975 and 1976, Washington State Archives conducted the Black Project, a series of interviews that brought oral histories to life. Local historian and civil rights activist Esther Mumford conducted all 69 interviews. 

Interviewees discussed events as early as the 1880s, regarding homesteaders, farmers, and strikebreakers. Most of the interviewees talked about the years between 1900 and 1945, and early housing, employment, education, recreation, and the changing Black community in greater Seattle.

Email research@sos.wa.gov if you would like to make an appointment to visit the building during business hours and check out the exhibit.

--From the Washington Secretary of State


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Update: Seattle branch of the National Archives

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Seattle branch Federal Archives
Photo from Secretary of State's newsletter

From Wyman's Wire
Secretary of State Kim Wyman

On Feb. 12, 2021 a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction on expediting the sale and closure of Seattle’s National Archives facility. I applaud the judge’s ruling and believe this is an important step in preserving access to our region’s irreplaceable archival treasures.

Congress now has a renewed opportunity to enact a long-term solution that will keep these records safe, secure, and local. Meanwhile Washington State Archives continues to work with federal and state lawmakers along with stakeholders to provide expertise and information about archival storage practices.

More information at our webpage dedicated to the latest news about the facility.



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"The City of Lake Forest Park's 60th Anniversary: Historical Reflections" Saturday on zoom - get link before noon Friday

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Lake Forest Park 1916
Shoreline Historical Museum


LFP Program February 20, 2021 at 1:00pm

The Lake Forest Park Friends of the Library and the King County Library System
Sponsor a "Zoom" Presentation Commemorating
the 60th Anniversary of Lake Forest Park!

"The City of Lake Forest Park's 60th Anniversary: Historical Reflections," a presentation by Shoreline Historical Museum Director Vicki Stiles, will reveal interesting stories and wonderful photos that show just how Lake Forest Park became a treasure on the shores of Lake Washington.

Program starts at 1:00pm on Saturday February 20, 2021. 

Please register before noon on Friday February 19th

Register Here!

The Shoreline Historical Museum is supported by The City of Shoreline and 4Culture. Museum Members and Friends! We are currently open, with COVID 19 safety precautions in place.


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AG Ferguson saves the archives

Friday, February 12, 2021

Atty General Bob Ferguson
saved the National Archives 
from leaving Seattle
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Friday morning, February 12, 2021 that a federal judge blocked the sale and closure of the National Archives facility in Seattle.

"Our coalition of regional tribes, community organizations, the City of Seattle and the State of Oregon stopped the federal government's unlawful plan to sell the Archives and scatter the DNA of our region thousands of miles away.

"This is a major victory for tribes, racial equity, our history, good government, and the rule of law.

“This victory preserves our ability to physically connect to our history by visiting the Archives and accessing the un-digitized records that are deeply personal to so many. 

"The federal government callously ignored deep concerns raised by the decision to ship these records to California and Missouri, including issues related to racial equity, tribal relations, conservation, good government, and the rule of law. 

"The judge just did what these federal agencies should have done – consider the facility’s importance to our region and apply the law.”

Assistant Attorneys General Lauryn Fraas and Kristin Beneski are handling this case for Washington.



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Free online presentation: "Seattle: The City Beautiful"

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Free online presentation: 
"Seattle: The City Beautiful"
February 19, 2021
12:00 noon – 1:30pm

The Woman’s Century Club invites you to a free online presentation by local architectural historian and preservationist Lawrence Kreisman.

This talk will cover the fascinating history of the Seattle area’s ambition to be an innovative, beautiful and livable metropolitan area. 

Learn about how tycoons, utopians and the famed Olmsted Brothers put their stamp on the development of neighborhoods, parks, transit and communities such as Lake Forest Park and The Highlands. 

For more details and to register, visit this page of the WCC website: 



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Shoreline Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest Landmarked by King County Landmarks Commission

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Fircrest Chapel
Photo by Janet Way


Thursday night, January 21, 2021 the King County Landmarks Commission decided to Landmark the historic Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest School in Shoreline, WA.

Interior of chapel
Photo by Janet Way

The Commission also took the unusual step to landmark most of the interior of the chapel and approximately three acres of surrounding native forest.

The forest was specified by Base Commander, Captain JT Boone in 1944 as one of his main inspirations to build the chapel. The setting of the Chapel within the beautiful forest makes it quite unique, especially in Shoreline.

Three acres of woods around the chapel were also given 
landmark status. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

 
The building is a lovely but humble “Tudor Revival” style and is distinctive in its brick exterior and custom designed original interior. Captain Boone was actually quite notable as one of the most decorated officers in American History and eventually served three presidents.

The Chapel is extraordinary and notable because it was the very first freestanding, nondenominational Naval Hospital Chapel in America. It was built at the height of the World War II in the Pacific theater.

The nomination was made by a small non-profit, the Shoreline Preservation Society and the research and submission undertaken by historical experts at Northwest Vernacular.

Shoreline Preservation Society Chair, Janet Way said, “We are extremely proud and happy to have this beautiful building and its surrounding forest at Fircrest School protected with this Landmark designation. 
"We hope to host a celebration of this Landmarking later this year and invite the community and the Navy to participate.”

Naval Hospital Chapel, 1902 NE 150th Street Shoreline, WA 98155



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Fircrest Chapel still under consideration as a King County Landmark

Saturday, January 23, 2021


There is a continuation of the KC Landmarks Commission process of the nomination to designate the "Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel" (Fircrest School) on January 28, 2021. 

The Chapel was the very first freestanding Naval Hospital Chapel built in the Nation. It was constructed in 1944 and is surrounded by a beautiful native forest which inspired its original construction as a place of peace and quiet contemplation.

A small, lovely brown building nestled in tall green evergreens
Fircrest Chapel
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
We encourage everyone who is interested to please tune in again and testify to reinforce the points we made before. 

Our excellent consultants, Northwest Vernacular, responded in a couple days after the previous hearing with some measurements to better verify the extent of the beautiful surrounding forest we are also nominating for preservation. 

We feel we have a very good chance of getting this landmarked!

KING COUNTY LANDMARKS COMMISSION MEETING
Zoom (Call-in) Conference
January 28, 2021
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 pm
Meeting ID: 851 2935 5688
Passcode: 653869
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

If you would like to write an additional letter of support, that would be helpful. Send it to Sarah Steen, ssteen@kingcounty.gov

If you would like to speak in support that would also be welcome. If you have questions, you can respond to me here or call.

Janet Way
206-734-5545


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