By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

More than a year after we first told you about the Washington State Black Legacy Institute moving into the city-landmark former church/events venue at 2656 42nd SW, they’ve bought the building and are ramping up its public accessibility.

They’re planning a February 1st ribboncutting to launch the Institute’s next big event – an art exhibit for Black History Month.

First, about the purchase: On behalf of WSBLI, Urban Black Community Development bought the property from 20+-year owner Dahli Strayer a little over a month ago, for $2.75 million. Strayer had bought it in 2003, not long after its remaining Christian Science congregation merged with others in the area; in 2009, it became a city landmark, and it was operated as an event venue for some years after that.

“We have an interesting symbiosis (with the purchasing entity),” explains WSBLI curator Roger Evans. “The Seattle Griot Project is reimbursing them as a joint partner – we have a mortgage,” which he says WSBLI hopes to pay off within a year, if fundraising goes well.

On the front burner, though, “lots of programming” – starting in earnest with next month’s art exhibit, in the building’s basement.

The displays will include historical portraits and other artifacts from other history-focused groups and organizations, highlighting regional figures from music, churches, even the Black Masonic Order. Along with the exhibit at the WSBLI’s Admiral building, they also will have an exhibit on the road.

Preparing for this, WSBLI has new assistance from a group of interns who’ve been working there for more than two months, working on digitizing many of the historical materials so they’ll be available beyond in-person viewin. Education overall is a major mission of the institute, says Evans, who notes they’re doing a lot of virtual-reality work so that people can experience interviews “like you’re sitting right there with people – an eyewitness, not just watching video – you learn something new when you’re tuned into body language,” for example. VR assistance includes a Tacoma-based organization called Black Muse that’s provided some of the interns working at WSBLI. In addition to digitizing, they’re also “helping me streamline how folks engage with the headsets, how we can make these interfaces work better.”

That’s all going on behind the scenes. Otherwise, Evans says, they’ve received a warm welcome from the neighborhood – “lots of people come by to (offer) support.” Up until now, they’ve been open “basically by appointment,” but the February art exhibit will be the first time they’ve been open regular hours “so that people can be in the space” with staffing. Support from 4Culture and the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture is assisting with this. You might recall WSBLI also had a major event a year ago, the Business Festival During Kwanzaa.

Black business history comprises a lot of the material with which WSBLI is working, but not all. Evans says that in addition to the Tacoma directory he told us about last year, they’ve found others from the early 20th century, from California and Texas. Delilah Beasley chronicled much of the history. Evans recounts a 1919 book in which she “talks about Black Americans who served in the Spanish-American War … during this framework in time, Black communities were trying to create some kind of historic structure, to preserve history …” So they’ve found “great representations of what was going on during the early 1900s – we’re finding consistencies that give us an idea there was a sophistication when people establish community – once people create a community they establish a church and then a Masonic Order for business sense and some camaraderie among the men.” That was the case with a historical figure spotlighted at WSBLI, James Sheppardson, who “brought miners into Roslyn (WA), then with those 50 minors established Masons. Then William Grose came into Seattle, (and) established the Masons three years later – they had a lodge in Seattle and started to create the structure for the communities.”

Speaking of structure, WSBLI is part of a “three-tier alliance” with organizations tied to Kitsap and Pierce Counties: “We’re going to assist them in digitizing their collections too,” and they’re loaning archival materials to WSBLI.

The institute, meantime, continues working on its collection of banners telling historical figures’ stories – “we’re building toward having 21 of them; we have 15 now.” They plan to take some of these materials to schools this year. The digitizing and VR work feeds into that as well: “We’re taking it really seriously,” Evans stresses. “In February, we’ll have a prototype of our VR presentation,” a 360-degree view where you could read old books or watch old videos – “a memory attic,” for memories already collected as part of The Griot Project. “The fourth component will be a game, tentatively A Visit to Mama B’s, where an AI-influenced avatar will talk about … stuff that’ll be historically relevant to our community. … I want this thing to be not limited so much to the building – we’re open to share with the whole planet as much as possible.” He muses that “although (the new headquarters) is an old building,” they’ll be showcasing historical materials in “the most advanced ways.”

That “old building” does need some updates for which they’ll be fundraising too, Evans notes: a new roof, interior accessibility (the ex-church has rooms on multiple levels requiring stepping up and stepping down), landscape tidying, and a security system. “Our primary mission is to be part of the community and contribute something to the community, maybe even to the whole Northwest … we’re figuring out what’s going to work for us,” and that, he believes, will help them in grant-writing, as they explain their mission – “not stuffy,” he smiles.

In addition to the February art for Black History Month, WSBLI is planning a film festival for Juneteenth. “We haven’t figured out yet what it’s going to look like … We’re trying different things and they’re blessing us, which gives us opportunities to have the young people come into the space. A lot of them are supercharged, because they never heard of the (history), until now.”

They plan to have the building open six days a week starting with the art exhibit’s opening day. Here’s the formal announcement of the event that will kick it off:

The Washington State Black Legacy Institute (WSBLI) proudly announces the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Black History Art Exhibition and Business Festival, a day-long celebration of culture, creativity, and community empowerment. The event will occur on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Washington State Black Legacy Institute, 2656 42nd Ave SW, and is open to the public.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Black History Art Exhibition and Business Festival is more than an event — it’s a celebration of the past, present, and future. The new WSBLI space symbolizes a commitment to cultural preservation, community empowerment, and economic development. By joining us, attendees can take part in meaningful conversations, celebrate Black excellence, and contribute to a shared vision for a thriving and inclusive future.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: This momentous occasion marks the grand opening of WSBLI’s new space, designed to serve as a community hub for fostering education, dialogue, and inclusivity. Local dignitaries and WSBLI leadership will be present to commemorate the opening.

Black History Art Exhibition: Immerse yourself in the stories of resilience, heritage, and innovation as told through the works of talented Black artists. This curated exhibition promises to inspire and educate attendees of all ages.

Meet & Greet: Connect with local community leaders and members, explore a vibrant marketplace, and participate in interactive workshops. This festival is an excellent opportunity to support entrepreneurs and discover valuable community resources.

The event is planned for 11 am-2:30 pm on Saturday, February 1.

Every year, this is the one and only “year in review” story we publish – the 10 WSB stories that got the most comments during the year. It doesn’t mean they were the most important, or most read, stories, but the comment totals are a clearly quantifiable component in our publishing system. Last year was unique, with half of the top 10 relating to one ongoing controversy – the eventually scrapped plan to convert former tennis courts in Lincoln Park to pickleball courts. This year, though, the top 10 includes one story related to that controversy, two related to another controversy, and seven others about other unique situations.

#10 – TWO ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL-CLOSURE LISTS UNVEILED
September 11, 2024 – 151 comments
Seattle Public Schools‘ short-lived plan to close schools went through multiple iterations. This one offered two alternative lists. Two West Seattle schools wo schools, Louisa Boren STEM K-8 and Sanislo Elementary, were on both potential lists.

#9 – WILDLIFE ADVOCATES UPSET WITH ALKI POINT HEALTHY STREET PARKING REMOVAL
February 29, 2024 – 153 comments
As the long original headline for this story noted, SDOT originally said Healthy Streets wouldn’t involve parking removal. The Alki Point Healthy Street did, and local wildlife organizations said that would impede their work and general public access to see and appreciate wildlife.

#8 – CANTANNA FEST COMING TO LINCOLN PARK
July 25, 2024 – 156 comments
We learned a music-and-marijuana-appreciation festival had gotten the OK from Seattle Parks to bring thousands to Lincoln Park. The plan didn’t last long, and the festival eventually ended up at a farm in Pierce County.

#7 – MOLLY MOON’S ICE CREAM ON THE WAY TO WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
April 5, 2024 – 167 comments
A banner in a Junction window revealed the ice-cream mini-chain was headed this way. Since then, it’s switched planned West Seattle locations, and will open in the ex-Cupcake Royale.

#6 – WOMAN SHOT AND KILLED SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION
October 1, 2024 – 174 comments
Though the shooting death of Dr. Tammy Towers at her home south of The Junction was ruled homicide, no criminal charges have ever been announced.

#5 – ALKI POINT HEALTHY STREET OPPONENTS ANNOUNCE COMMUNITY MEETING
May 13, 2024 – 180 comments
This story, like #9, stemmed from local wildlife advocates trying to convince SDOT not to remove parking as part of the Alki Point Healthy Street project.

#4 – LINCOLN PARK PICKLEBALL OPPONENTS SAY CITY HAS OFFICIALLY SCRAPPED PLAN
May 24, 2024 – 195 comments
Last year’s big controversy didn’t come to an official end until this spring.

#3 – POWER OUTAGES FOR 13,000+
November 19, 2024 – 208 comments
It’s not a most-commented list without a power outage and many readers weighing in on whether they’re out or not. This outage drew more comments than usual because Seattle City Light‘s info map was malfunctioning.

#2 – ABOUT THE TRUMP-MERCH TENT IN THE TRIANGLE
February 19, 2024 – 236 comments
Nine lines about a traveling vendor churned up a lot of discussion, almost nine months before the presidential election

#1 – ANNOUNCING A DEATH IN THE WSB FAMILY
October 18, 2024 – 669 comments

17 years after co-founding WSB, Patrick Sand died suddenly, without warning, at home the morning of October 17. We miss him every minute of every day. The work to which he was devoted – thoroughly, accurately, ethically, cheerily covering West Seattle news and events – goes on, led by co-founder Tracy Record, with new collaborators. We will talk with you more in the New Year about the state and future of WSB. For now, we want to thank everyone for the condolences, well-wishes, and support, and the many people who have taught us things we didn’t know about Patrick, by recounting what he meant to them and how they’d interacted. Thank you all so much, and we treasure your continued partnership in community-collaborative news, which we continue to cover 24/7.

PREVIOUS YEARS: Here are our previous most-commented-stories lists, going back to 2011:

2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society recently had its annual membership meeting, and has news to share about what’s next. Read about it below – and visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) during Saturday night’s Alki Holiday Lights:

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society held its annual meeting last Saturday at the Log House Museum, which currently features the exhibit, Seattle’s Forest: The West Duwamish Greenbelt.

SWSHS members gathered to hear about the organization’s accomplishments in 2024, including increasing online access to museum collections, and to learn new details about the organization’s strategic and interpretive planning.

Members also gathered to elect a new slate of Officers to lead SWSHS’s Board of Directors in 2025. Officers include, incoming President Kathy Duncan; incoming Vice President Jason Plourde; Secretary Nancy Sorensen; Treasurer John Sweetland; and Membership Secretary Megan Simkus. The biographies of SWSHS’s 2025 Officers are shared below.

Programs and Outreach Director Elizabeth Rudrud shared new details on SWSHS’s plans for an overhaul of the museum’s exhibitions. A multi-year interpretive planning project supported by Maritime Washington National Heritage Area began earlier this year. The planning will help the historical society design a permanent, interactive exhibit at the Log House Museum that will highlight the historical and cultural significance of Alki Beach, prioritize interactive museum experiences and the display of historical society artifacts, share diverse stories from across the Duwamish Peninsula, and extend to the exterior of the Log House Museum, where several artifacts are currently on display, including the original Alki Beach Lady Liberty.

Planning for this exhibit is well underway and has included participation from community partners, regional heritage and museum professionals, and the Duwamish Tribe. The project is rooted in SWSHS’s 2024-2026 Strategic Plan and takes inspiration from a Peninsula-wide community survey conducted by SWSHS in 2023. The competitive, inaugural grant from Maritime WA funds this project through the design phase. Keep your eyes out for updates on the project next year.

Kathy Duncan, incoming SWSHS President, says, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue serving the board, Southwest Seattle Historical Society members, and our community. We have exciting plans for expanding programs and
services.”

You can visit the Log House Museum Fridays and Saturdays, from 12-4 pm and tomorrow (Saturday, November 23) from 7-9 pm for Alki Holiday Lights. SWSHS will provide complimentary cider and crafts and host a Bake Sale to raise funds for the Society. The event coincides with the arrival of Argosy’s Christmas Ship Festival at Alki Beach.

Learn more about SWSHS programming, including Alki History Walking Tours and Words, Writers, Southwest Stories, at www.loghousemuseum.org

And below – meet the new board (and ongoing leadership)! Read More

Earlier this week, we told you about that almost-century-old West Seattle home up for designation as a city landmark, something its owner applied for. We checked with her on how Wednesday’s Landmarks Board vote turned out – and she reports that board members voted in favor of the designation. The home at 10455 Maplewood SW [map] is known as the Stewart House for its original owners. It changed hands multiple times in its early decades but has now been owned by the same (unrelated to the Stewarts) family for more than half a century. The house is considered an excellent example of “Spanish eclectic” architecture; you can learn more about its background via the report that resulted in its landmark nomination. More photos are viewable in the slide deck prepared for the Landmarks Board process. Next step: The board, and ultimately City Council, will vote on “controls and incentives” for the two-acre property. The Stewart House joins more than a dozen West Seattle properties that are already designated as city landmarks, all mapped here.

Thanks to Deb Barker – former Landmarks Board member among other things – for the tip on this. When the board meets tomorrow, it will consider a landmark designation for a home in southwest West Seattle, 10455 Maplewood SW [map]. It’s known as the Stewart House for its original 1930-1931 owners, Ralph and Evelyn Stewart, an entrepreneurial family that primarily made money through home-heating fuel. The unrelated family that has owned it for more than 50 years is seeking the designation “in an effort to gain Seattle landmark protections for the house and to recognize it for posterity,” according to the report that gained a landmark nomination for the house. It was designed by early-20th-century architects Bain and Pries and is considered an example of “Spanish eclectic” architecture. You can see more photos in the slide deck prepared for the Landmarks Board process. The city’s historic-preservation staff says the two-acre site, with other structures, and home are worthy of consideration as examples of an architecture style and “outstanding work” of architects; you can read their report here. The board will consider the potential landmark designation when it meets at 3:30 pm tomorrow at City Hall downtown. You can also watch the meeting online, and/or comment in person or remotely – the agenda explains how.

P.S. West Seattle already is home to more than a dozen designated city landmarks – all mapped here.

presentation

(Photo courtesy The Mount – that’s the new time capsule to the left of the sign)

Reps from Nucor Steel visited The Mount (WSB sponsor) to celebrate the new time capsule that will be filled as part of 100th-anniversary festivities. The plant that houses Nucor has decades of history with The Mount – it supplied 1,000,000 pounds of steel for the original construction under general contractor A.W. Quist.

The design and build of the stainless-steel time capsule was led by Richard Crist. with help from melt shop and engineering teammates including Zac Reeves, Mark Hanson, and Andrew Lovre. The announcement from The Mount adds, “Contractor Argo Blower also contributed to the detail cuts of The Mount’s centennial logo mounted on the outside of the box.” You can see the contents of the original 1924 time capsule and admire the new one at The Mount’s holiday bazaar Friday and Saturday; you’re also invited to contribute ideas for what should be sealed inside the new one, for future generations to discover. (The Mount is at 4831 35th SW.)

(August 18, 2021, reader photo by Rachel)

Three years after being moved off its site, the Stone Cottage remains in search of its permanent home. The “Save the Stone Cottage” organization asked us to share this open letter/update:

Do you own a possible Stone Cottage site? Let us know now

An update to the West Seattle community:

Time flies! We just passed the three-year mark since the one-of-a-kind 90-year-old Stone Cottage was moved on Aug. 18, 2021, from its original site across from Don Armeni Boat Ramp one mile south to temporary storage on Port of Seattle property.

In the past three years, our Save the Stone Cottage committee has examined a variety of options in great detail. To determine the best possible future for this unique building, adorned with 15,000 beach stones, we have studied options for it to be situated on public land or private property near the West Seattle shoreline.

We have narrowed possible final locations to a few select sites. Because some of them involve potential real-estate transactions, we will not disclose them at this point.

We are, however, optimistic. Moreover, we are grateful that we can envision a not-too-distant day when we can carry out the vision that we communicated to the public, the original cottage owners and the hundreds of volunteers and donors to this unique and heartfelt preservation project.

They entrusted us with an inspiring mission: to save and relocate the Stone Cottage within the West Seattle community so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

As we near a final decision, we ask that if there is any owner of property near West Seattle’s shoreline who would like for us to consider such a parcel in our deliberations, the time to let us know is now. At 24-by-36 feet, the Stone Cottage totals 864 square feet. Contact us by email at info@SavetheStoneCottage.org.

We also renew our thanks to our fiscal sponsor, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, as well as to Chainqui Development and many other partners and supporters, all of whom are saluted on our website.

Good things do not always come easily or quickly. This is a lesson we have learned in the trenches. But we look forward to the time when all of West Seattle can celebrate a new home for a restored Stone Cottage, which has long been a cherished symbol of the heritage of the Duwamish peninsula.

Onward!

The Save the Stone Cottage LLC
Deb Barker, John Bennett, Mike Shaughnessy, principals
info@SavetheStoneCottage.org

Redevelopment of the cottage’s previous site across from Don Armeni Boat Ramp was imminent at the time of the move, but stalled after being cleared.

(Photo courtesy West Seattle Chamber of Commerce)

As reported here last month, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has been fixing the “Welcome to West Seattle” sign along the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge – and a texter tipped us today that the repairs looked to be complete. So we checked in with chamber executive director Rachel Porter, who sent this announcement:

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has repaired the iconic “Welcome to West Seattle” sign after months of work. For more than two decades, the “Welcome to West Seattle” sign along the Fauntleroy Expressway has served as a beacon for travelers and residents alike. The sign was damaged by an uninsured driver in 2023.

Longtime Alki resident Adah Rhodes Cruzen made a significant financial contribution to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, designated for the installation of a new “Welcome to West Seattle” sign and a sustainable maintenance plan in 2018. The donation was made on behalf of the estate of her late husband, Earl Cruzen, who died Jan. 23, 2017, at the age of 96.

Earl is recognized for bringing three groups together, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the Junction Merchants Association and the West Seattle Trusteed Properties, as the Junction Development Committee. The “Welcome to West Seattle” sign, installed in September 1996, is one of the many legacy projects Earl and this group completed and was originally a simple wooden sign.

The Chamber received financial support from an anonymous donor who wanted to carry on the legacy of Adah and Earl Cruzen.

“The Welcome to West Seattle sign serves as more than just a landmark, it’s a symbol of community pride and our gateway to economic opportunities here in the West Seattle Peninsula,” said Rachel Porter, Executive Director of the West Seattle Chamber. “Welcoming visitors and residents with this iconic sign only enhances the West Seattle experience and encourages local businesses to feel a sense of belonging in our community.”

Sign repair and maintenance was done by Pacific Architectural Metals out of Georgetown. Pacific Architectural Metals is a premier custom metal fabrication shop for specializing in residential, commercial or artisanal project needs here in Seattle. “It was our pleasure to help get the West Seattle signage back in action. When we first saw the project in person, the frame was barely hanging on, a lot of panels were damaged or missing, and we needed to do a lot of work getting the structure straightened out and strong again. Now that the front panel is on, it finally looks like it should. We need to do some more work to get all the panels looking sharp and we are adding solar lighting to give it an additional pop in appearance. As a longtime West Seattle resident, we know how much exposure this sign gets and are happy to lend a hand making it right,” said James Reinhardt, Owner, Pacific Architectural Metals.

After a few more repairs are finalized, a ribbon cutting celebration will be held.

The Chamber has also told WSB that the repaired sign will have a vandalism-resistant coating.

(Photo by Tom Reese)

The Log House Museum‘s Longfellow Creek-focused exhibit t?awi Creek of Hope is on display through the end of July – so your weekend opportunities to see it at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s headquarters are running short. Here’s another reason to see it if you haven’t already – today, SWSHS announced that the exhibit has won a statewide award:

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, the Duwamish Alive Coalition, and the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association were awarded an Award of Excellence from the Washington Museum Association for the exhibit t?awi Creek of Hope.

The exhibit installed at the Log House Museum last summer tells the story of West Seattle’s Longfellow Creek and features photographs from award-winning photojournalist and author Tom Reese. The exhibit was developed by the Duwamish Alive Coalition and Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association and installed last year at the Log House Museum at Alki Beach. Together, the three organizations hosted numerous educational programs around the exhibit, including guided hikes along the creek and a sold-out panel discussion with local researchers, civic officials, and community advocates of the creek.

The exhibit closes at the end of July. Visitors can view the exhibit during museum open hours, Friday and Saturday 12-4 pm.

(Elizabeth Rudrud with Washington Museum Association president Brad Richardson)

The award was presented to Elizabeth Rudrud, Programs Director at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, during this year’s Washington Museum Association annual conference in Vancouver, Washington.

The museum is at 61st/Stevens, just a block inland from Alki Beach.

(WSB file photo)

The home of West Seattle’s history is also part of West Seattle history, so the Log House Museum is among the stops on a new Alki walking tour that the organization headquartered there, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, is offering this summer. You have four options! Here’s the announcement, with the registration links for the by-donation, pay-what-you-can tours:

This summer, join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society for walking tours of Alki exploring local history. Learn about the peoples who have lived here and how settlement by various groups and individuals has left its mark on Alki. Visit historic and cultural sites in the area and discuss how our understanding of the area and its people continues to evolve.

Tours include stops at the Log House Museum, Fir Lodge/Alki Homestead, historic sites and monuments at Alki Beach, and Doc Maynard’s home in West Seattle.

Tours are offered rain or shine and include about one mile of walking with multiple stops. The tour is ADA accessible.

All tours begin and end at the Log House Museum at 3003 61st Ave SW.

Click on a date below to register. We are limited to only 20 people per date.

Saturday, June 22 11 am
Saturday, July 6 11 am
Saturday, July 27 11 am
Saturday, August 10 11 am

Story by Tracy Record
Photos/video by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

On a peninsula where people have lived for millennia, 40 years of history is a blink. But for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, it’s been an eventful 40 years – and that’s what SWSHS supporters gathered Friday night to celebrate.

Some in the room at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) were there in the organization’s early days – like former executive director Clay Eals, the night’s co-auctioneer.

Some were descendants of those whose West Seattle history stretches back all those millennia, like Ken Workman of the Duwamish Tribe, a former SWSHS board member born nearby, who noted his people “have been here since the Ice Age” and gave a welcome in “the language that was taken from us so very long ago.”

Two other Duwamish members were among the three featured speakers – another steward of history, Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center director Kristina Pearson, granddaughter of Duwamish chair Cecile Hansen. Pearson observed that “the past is not only a series of events to be studied – it’s a living tapestry of traditions and teachings.” Here’s everything she told the SWSHS:

The tribe is excited about collaborating with the SWSHS, Pearson emphasized.

Those gathered at the gala also heard from Michael Halady, who carved the totem pole that has stood at the Admiral Way Viewpoint since 2006. It factored into the SWSHS celebration because it’s been 10 years since the organization’s Log House Museum put up the pole that Halady’s work replaced. He spoke briefly about the Admiral pole and about his apprenticeship under a prolific carver:

Learning from the past while looking to the future – “Navigating Our Past Anew” – was the theme for the night. Board president Nancy Sorensen recounted accomplishments of the past year – including major maintenance for the museum – and making some collection materials available onlin: “We’re working hard to develop and improve our museum and reach out to our community.” While the SWSHS currently is without an executive director, Sorensen lauded programs and community-outreach director Elizabeth Rudrud for her work. Rudrud spoke too, starting with words of remembrance for someone Sorensen had also mentioned, former board president Kathy Blackwell, who died earlier this year:

“This place contains a multitude of stories,” Rudrud noted, including the life stories of some in the room, including Carol-Ann Thornton, who played a key role in desegregating Seattle schools in the ’60s:

Staff and volunteers will continue working to “transform how people interact with SWSHS,” Rudrud promised. “We are all part of the peninsula, here because we love this place and share a vision for its future.”

A general reflection about why organizations like this matter was delivered by Alex Gradwohl, program director for the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area:

As Gradwohl underscored with her story of a group of volunteers, each of whom had traveled a different path to come to the project, “history can bind us together … engaging people with stories of our past.”

Stories were behind the featured live-auction items of the night, with Eals (above) and Mike Shaughnessy (below) serving as auctioneers.

Three people bid $600 each for tours of the West Duwamish Greenbelt with Workman (who is not only Duwamish but also a direct descendant of Chief Seattle). A historic West Seattle business, Husky Deli, donated an item that went for $1,600 – a chance to make an ice-cream flavor, name it, and launch it at a party with up to 20 people. And the artist who’s been commemorating history makers via signal-box murals, Desmond Hansen, will join a $1,200 bidder in designing and painting a custom mural, either on a box or for personal display (the winning bidder. B.J. Bullert, said she had Earl Robinson in mind, a West Seattle-born music luminary about whom she made the documentary “Earl Robinson: Ballad of an American“).

Between the live and silent auctions, the gala raised at least $50,000, surpassing the SWSHS goal. That would likely have gladdened the heart of Elliott Couden, who founded the organization in 1984. Eals recalled interviewing Couden 20 years ago, not long before his death, and quoted him, from a booklet that’s in the Seattle Municipal Archives: “I think we’re in a crucial time. We will never be challenged more to love instead of hate, to trust instead of distrust, than we are right now … society … can’t stay together in harmony unless we are deliberately willing to sacrifice as necessary to help change things. I just hope we’ll all feel our own personal responsibility to reflect understanding and sharing, and love and caring.”

The love and caring those in the room showed for SWSHS was obvious – and the organization is working to ensure it serves all of the peninsula’s 100,000+ people.

WHAT’S NEXT: Every month on the second Thursday night, SWSHS has an online speaker in the Words, Writers, Southwest Stories series – next Thursday (May 9), see and hear Luther Adams. Friday and Saturday most weeks are when you can visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) in person, noon-4 pm. And 1,000+ collection items are available for online viewing any time.

Again this spring/summer, the historic Alki Point Lighthouse will open for free weekly tours, as announced today:

Alki Point Lighthouse Tour Season starts May 26th

(USCG Auxiliary photo by Debra Alderman)

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers will be offering free lighthouse tours most Sunday afternoons between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. (No tours June 16th.)

First visitors enter the site at 1 p.m. Last tour begins at 3:45.

Address: 3201 Alki Avenue SW

Questions: alkilighthouseteam@gmail.com

Any tour updates will be published here on Friday each week:

Or refer to this website for more details.

The lighthouse dates back 111 years – you can read its history here.