Archives Gazette February 2026

Welcome to the new Gazette! We’re excited to be back bringing you news from the archives, this time with a new format. As we’ve done since the Gazette was first published back in 1999 as a two-page (later four-page) printed quarterly, we’ll continue bringing you all the news from the archives including highlights from the collections, recently processed materials, online exhibits and resources, recent and upcoming events, and more. Here's what you can expect: Monthly rather than quarterly issues More links to content on our site and blog Accessible content for everyone Easy subscribe/unsubscribe options (see links in the footer below) You can still find copies of past Gazettes – from the first issue in 1999 to the most recent PDF issue in 2025 – available to view and download from our Digital Collections site.

What's Happening

We Have a New Blog!

Check out SMA's blog at PrimarySources.seattle.gov to keep up with all the news from the archives, including behind-the-scenes peeks, discoveries from the collections, and information on new resources. Recent posts explore topics like Black Academy of Music records at SMA; vintage recipes in the archives, holiday lighting tips from the 1960s, and a history mystery challenge. We're posting new content every week; give us a follow!

Views from the Vault

Our regular video series highlighting some of our favorite materials in the archives, formerly known as the Favorite Archival Object video series, is now called Views from the Vault! In the series SMA archivists share hidden gems, surprising finds, and other unique items from the collections and the stories behind them.

The newest video in the series dives into swimwear regulations from the 1930s. Find it and others with the Views from the Vault playlist on our YouTube channel!

Archives in the Classroom

We always love opportunities to engage with students of all ages, whether here at the archives or through visits to local schools. Last month, we were able to do both!

Audiovisual Archivist Libby Hopfauf at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 School

In early January, archivists Jeanie Fisher and Libby Hopfauf visited 4^th grade students at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 school to talk about historical records at the city and how they’ve been created and preserved over time. The students had great questions and we were inspired by their curiosity and insight!

UW-Bothell City as Character students in the SMA research room

Later in the month we hosted a class visit from UW-Bothell students researching projects for Professor Minda Martin’s City as Character filmmaking class. Since 2019, SMA has partnered with Professor Martin and her students to explore the history of Seattle through archived materials. Drawing from audio recordings of public hearing excerpts highlighted in SMA’s Seattle Voices exhibits and other online exhibits, students in the class research and produce short videos on historical events and make connections with current issues, mixing past and present documents, photos, audio, and moving images.

The students were treated to a tour of the archives and a behind-the-scenes look at the work archivists do, then spent some time digging into records for their projects. It was great to have them!

Collection Highlights

Black History Month Virtual Collection Happy Black History Month! Check out our virtual collection to view and download digitized materials documenting past Black History Month celebrations sponsored by the City of Seattle. You’ll find photos, videos, and other records from the archives, including the brochure seen here from Seattle Public Library’s Black History Month celebration in 1985. You can also learn more about how local and national observances of Black History Month have evolved over the years with our online exhibit on Black History Month in Seattle, including links to additional resources held at both SMA and elsewhere.

Ballard Neighborhood District Coordinator Records

The Ballard Neighborhood District Coordinator Records (Record Series 5752-16) are now available for use in our research room. The records date from 1974 to 2016 and include meeting minutes, reports, correspondence, and notes relating to the activities of Ballard District Coordinator Rob Mattson. Check out this blog post for more details!

Councilmember Kshama Sawant Records

We recently completed processing the records of Councilmember Kshama Sawant, including seven different record series. Sawant served on City Council from 2014 through 2023, first in a citywide position and then representing District 3 after a charter amendment reorganized the council into geographical districts. Materials include Subject Files, Posters and Flyers, and other series documenting the work of the council committees Sawant chaired, including the Energy and Environment Committee and the Sustainability and Renters’ Rights Committee. Read more at our Primary Sources blog! 

Recently Digitized Photos

We're continuing to digitize the large and incredibly rich Historic Building Survey Photograph Collection (Series 1629-01). Organized by neighborhood, the photos were taken as part of a field survey done by the City Planning Commission and the Department of Neighborhoods to capture images of Seattle's historic homes and commercial districts built during the early to mid-20th century. Currently in process are photos featuring the University District, capturing buildings and street scenes in and around the University of Washington's main campus.

College Center Building at 4556 University Way, circa 1974

Other neighborhoods such as Ballard, Fremont, West Seattle, the Central Area, Rainier Valley, and many more were included in the survey and are archived at SMA. The photos are great resources for property research!