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 recognizes the importance for documenting the culture and heritage of Black people statewide, and advocates for saving places to uphold the notion that Washington State history is an essential link in the broader narrative that defines the story of our nation.
Preserving our past ~ Informing our future
Access to the Archive is Back!
BHS Jacqueline E.A. Lawson Resource Center and archive are now open for limited public access. Masks are required as facility protocols are still in place for safety and well-being of staff, volunteers, and visitors.
Visits are by appointment only on Fridays 11:30am-2:30pm.
INQUIRIES and APPOINTMENTS
Email: blackheritagesocietywa@gmail.com
Resource Center Message Phone: 206 324-1126 x190
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 28647 Seattle, WA 98118
Physical Address by Appointment: 5933 6th Ave S Seattle, WA 98108
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NOTE: BHS HAS A NEW P. O. BOX ADDRESS
Mail To:
Black Heritage Society
P. O. Box 28647
Seattle, WA 98118
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NOW OPEN TO APPLICANTS
Black Heritage Society of Washington State – Founders Scholarship
Supporting the continuing education of public school high school seniors.
Open to apply:
February 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023
Awardee receives $2,000.
The criteria, instructions, and application are HERE.
Good Luck!
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Starting 2023 with a boost to BHS Collections.
Thank You, King County 4Culture.
Funding provided by 4Culture will support the phased conversion of oral interviews from aging cassette tapes to digital. This means BHS will make these rich histories widely accessible while taking precautions to preserve them. The funding also includes the refresh of our website that will host a visual and listening library. Stay tuned for profiles of the project team and updates as we make progress for a more accessible collection.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
*see below and more on the BHS calendar
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Black Heritage Society of Washington State co-developed with the
Museum of History & Industry
an exhibition that celebrates the history and legacies
of Black architects.
From the Ground Up: Black Architects & Designers
February 4, 2023 – April 30, 2023
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WHAT ELSE?
Designing With Intention: Black Architects’ Vision for Seattle’s Future
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 7:00pm-8:30pm
*The exhibition will be open an hour prior to the program
Program Description is Here.
Moderated by Vivian Phillips
This public program is co-presented in partnership with:
AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable
The Black Heritage Society of Washington State
The Nehemiah Initiative Seattle
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Keystone Giants_SeattleWA_1913_Property of Black Heritage Society of WA State
Washington State Black Baseball History
on the walls at
Metier Brewing Company with Seattle Mariners
at Steelheads Alley
~photos provided by BHS, MOHAI, and David Eskenazi collection~
*about the Seattle Steelheads
Thanks Seattle Channel for the shout out on CityStream.
*Watch Here
Cheers!
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ROAD TRIP!
Check out the video of BHS with Converge Media on our visit to Roslyn, WA
for a day at the Roslyn Black Pioneers Picnic and enjoying the Craven Family.
History – Family – Stories – Fun
Thanks Converge Media for once again capturing history on video.
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History of Jazz on Jackson Street
and Frank Waldron.
The legacy of Frank Waldron
and Seattle jazz history
should never be forgotten.
Thank you, Knute Berger at Crosscut/Mossback
~Watch Here~
*BHS holds memorabilia relevant to Frank Waldron.
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Soul Pole Returns to Seattle Central Area
following conservation effort.
Community partnership with Seattle Public Library receives the
Historic Seattle
2022 Preserving Neighborhood Character Award
Thank you Converge Media for
documenting the partnership and conservation process.
~Watch Here~
Flying Alaska Airlines?
Legacy of the Soul Pole is now screening in-flight!
2023 ANNUAL HISTORY KEEPER MEMBERSHIPS
Renew your membership or
become a new member today!
Membership levels are at the website.
You can join now on the website or by mail:
Black Heritage Society
P. O. Box 28647
Seattle, WA 98118
Thank You for supporting Washington State Black History.
BHS Affiliations:
