What We're Saying

Now that you know some of the history of the Archives, let’s take a tour.

Diocesan House.  Photo by Mark Swanson.

The Archives is located on the third floor of Diocesan House, a one-hundred-year-old mansion built for one of Seattle’s early town fathers, John Leary and his wife, Eliza.  The house with its intricate wood carvings

Diocesan House. Detail in Great Hall. Photo by Diane Wells.

and ornate Rookwood tile, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a venue for architectural tours. 

NOTE:  A history of the house will be the subject of a future blog post! 

The Archives office, at the top of a steep flight of stairs, is the former billiard room in the house.  I have no idea how they got a billiard table up here – but I’m glad I wasn’t the one who had to move it out!! 

Diane at her desk.  Photo by Barbara Brower.

The office also comes complete with its own Rookwood fireplace featuring a castle motif. 

Diocesan House. Rookwood tile fireplace in Archives Office.  Photo by Diane Wells.

Two attic rooms provide archives storage and work area and a third functions as both storage and reading area. 

Archives.  Photo by Mark Swanson.

Materials in the Archives relate to the history and development of the Diocese of Olympia and date from 1853 to the present.   http://www.ecww.org/archives-collections

Collections include bishops’ papers, journals of diocesan convention, diocesan newspapers, parish and mission files and records of the various diocesan offices, organizations, commissions and committees, and affiliated institutions and ministries.  In other words, we’ve basically got the Who, What, Where and When of the diocese covered!

Also, because our records span a period of more than 150 years and document not only the history of the Episcopal Church, but  that of the social and cultural history of the Pacific Northwest, they can be of use to social historians and other researchers.

The Archives maintains a large photograph collection, as well as collections of slides, video and audio recordings, CDs, DVDs, architectural drawings, scrapbooks, memorabilia, artifacts and vestments.  I’ll be featuring some of the photos (I particularly like the ones with hats) - on this site and will also be talking about the care and handling of many of these items.  I’d also like you to take note of the collection of architectural drawings.  Most of these are of our church buildings and serve as an important resource for our congregations.

Architectural Drawings. Photo by Diane Wells.

Diocesan staff member, Norah Joslyn,doing research.  Photo by Diane Wells

The Archives welcomes requests for information from diocesan offices, congregations, researchers and the general public.  And, when anyone starts a new diocesan project, I always recommend checking the Archives first – because it’s amazing how many “new” ideas have been tried before!

I invite you to come in and take a "real" tour of the Archives and Diocesan House.  You're always welcome!

Diocese of Olympia Archives

Diane Wells, CA

Archivist and Records Manager