KEEP CLAM! And set a reminder for Paul Dorpat’s ‘Fish Tales’ about Ivar, 2 weeks away

In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – we’re now exactly two weeks from your chance to hear and see photo historian Paul Dorpat tell “Fish Tales” about West Seattle character and entrepreneur Ivar Haglund, linked to the exhibit at the Log House Museum, but happening at a local Seattle Public Library branch. Here are all the details, from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:

Is there anyone better than Paul Dorpat at “keeping clam” about Seattle legend and West Seattle native Ivar Haglund?

Dorpat — the city’s pre-eminent photo historian, who has entered his 34th year of weekly “Now and Then” columns in the Seattle Times — for more than a decade also has been researching and writing a massive biography of Haglund, the iconic restaurateur, folk musician, Port of Seattle commissioner, and goofy promotional wizard.

Sponsored by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and The Seattle Public Library, the genial Dorpat will present “Fish Tales,” a talk accompanied by scores of rare photos of Haglund, at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 7th, in the basement meeting room of the West Seattle Branch of The Seattle Public Library, 2306 42nd Ave. SW in The Admiral District.

The FREE presentation will end about 3 p.m., after which those attending can stop in down the hill at the historical society’s “Birthplace of Seattle” Log House Museum to see its latest exhibit, on loan from the Nordic Heritage Museum, called “Keep Clam and Carry On: The Ivar Haglund Story.”

Dorpat’s talk will emphasize the deep West Seattle roots of Haglund (1905-1985), the grandson of Hans Hanson, who for many years posted a lantern at Alki Point that predated the 1913 construction of the Alki Lighthouse. Haglund’s maternal grandparents purchased the Alki Point land in 1869 from Seattle pioneer David “Doc” Maynard.

All of this and much more will be covered by Dorpat, who also will be available at the museum exhibit after his talk. The exhibit features display panels, vintage TV footage and radio recordings, along with a “clam gun” and one of the clam outfits used to promote Ivar’s restaurants in Seattle parades and commercials. To see the exhibit, stop in during regular open hours, noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

Ivar died in

PSPS January 24, 2016 (6:31 pm)

Ivar died in 1985. I remember his stint as “port commissioner.” He never wanted that job, but someone else put his name on the ballot and, as he himself predicted, he won simply because people would recognize his name and mark it on the ballot.

WSB January 24, 2016 (6:43 pm)

Other Ivar-related history: After publishing this, I had to look up how long it’s been since the 4th of Jul-Ivar’s fireworks ended … last show on the bay was 2008!

Rick January 25, 2016 (5:03 am)

The syrup incident was epic.

Greg Showalter January 25, 2016 (11:01 am)

Long ago I recall reading something about one of Haglund’s Alki houses being the oldest house or among the oldest house’s in Seattle. Since I have forgot about the particulars can anybody comment on this?

Jim W. January 26, 2016 (2:58 pm)

Haglund’s home was one of the oldest, but is probably not the oldest since there’s also the Ward House on Capitol Hill. Here’s a story about Ivar’s childhood home and what became of it. https://westseattleblog.com/2009/04/upper-alki-house-with-history-about-to-go-up-in-smoke/

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