Black Heritage Society
of Washington State
Preserving our past informs our future.
Welcome
The Black Heritage Society of Washington State, Inc. was first proposed in 1977 and became incorporated in 1982. Preserving, collecting and sharing the history of African Americans in Washington State are the priorities that shape the BHS mission.
BHS collections are a protected resource and public asset that archives the past and present to inform the future. The Society is committed to the importance for documenting the culture and heritage of Black people statewide and welcomes your outreach to discuss preserving the full story of the lives, places, and events that shape this rich history.
Outside the archive BHS is an advocate for recognizing and saving Black heritage sites across Washington. We actively support and uphold the notion that Washington State history is an essential link in the broader narrative that defines the real story of our nation.
Current and Upcoming Events
BHS Keynote Duo
Stephanie Johnson Toliver
and
Sarah Harris, UW,MLIS
Everyone Has A Story
Hear about oral history at BHS and why it’s important to record our family stories.
FREE – RSVP HERE
Western History Association Conference
October 21-24, 2026
Portland, OR
BHS at the Roundtable Session
In Defense of the Black Past:
Preserving Black History Across
Digital Landscapes
Chair:
Dr. Quin’Nita Cobbins-Modica
Presenters:
-LaNesha DeBardelaben, BlackPast.org
-Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, BHS
-Jennifer Ott,
Historylink.org
-Bobby Smith,
Albina Music Trust
_____________
“We are the ones we’ve
been waiting for.
We are the change
that we seek.”
~Barack Obama
History Cafe:
Black Baseball
in Washington
Historylink at the
Museum of
History & Industry
Wednesday,
October 21, 2026
6:30pm – 8pm
Black baseball in Washington state and the Pacific Northwest has a rich and resilient history, spanning from the late 19th century’s amateur teams to later professional Negro League teams to modern Major League Baseball. Join sports historian Dave Eskenazi and Lyle Kenai Wilson, author of Sunday Afternoons at Garfield Park: Seattle’s Black Baseball Teams, 1911-1951, with Bookie Gates of Baseball Beyond Borders moderated by Founder/Producer at Converge Media, Omari Salisbury in conversation about Black baseball, past and present, as a catalyst for change and a platform for community.
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT HERE
Collections
Collections Gallery
Showcases artifacts, photos, and stories that celebrate African American history, culture, and contributions, preserving the past to inspire a more inclusive future.
Family Legacy Collections
Honors the lives and contributions of Black families, preserving personal artifacts, photographs, and stories that reflect resilience and generational pride.
Oral History
Captures the voices and lived experiences of Black community members, preserving their stories to share wisdom, heritage, and history.
A project is underway to convert all oral history interviews currently on cassettes to digital files. We are protecting the stories for generations to come and enabling access more broadly.
The project is made possible in part with support by King County 4Culture and the Black Future Co-op Fund.
BHS with Invisible Histories
This project emerged in response to recent legislative actions, such as Alabama’s SB129, which led to the shutdown of diversity, equity, and inclusion departments at public institutions. By training local activists and community leaders to collect and preserve oral histories, IHP ensures that these vital narratives are not lost amid political challenges
BHS is partners with Wa Na Wari Black Spatial History Institute.
BHS has been a community partner with Wa Na Wari for its oral history projects and more. We are embarking on a new initiative coming soon. Watch for it. In the meantime visit the Shelf Life Community History Project online to listen to stories that bring the community alive.
Volunteer
Join us as a volunteer to help preserve and celebrate Black history in Washington State. Sign up to learn more about current opportunities
Donate
Support our mission with a contribution. Your donation helps us preserve historic collections, host educational programs, and expand community outreach.
Partner with BHS
Join us in preserving and sharing Black history in Washington. We welcome collaborations that support storytelling, education, and cultural preservation.
Our Affiliated Organizations
BHS is proud to collaborate with organizations that share our commitment to preserving and uplifting Black heritage across Washington State.
