Legacy Washington

03/31/2025

It's a well-deserved honor and we should know! Former Legacy historian Trova O'Heffernan interviewed Dr. Dunbar for a profile back in 2009. Check out that story here: https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/stories/bonnie-dunbar/default.aspx

Bonnie Dunbar, a former NASA astronaut, will be recognized by Washington State University in May when she receives an honorary doctorate.

https://news.wsu.edu/news/2025/03/24/astronaut-bonnie-dunbar-to-receive-honorary-doctorate-from-wsu/

03/26/2025

Our current project will catch up with refugees displaced by the war and their descendants in Seattle and all around Washington! Stay tuned for "New Land," a book by our historians John Hughes and Ed Echtle, as well as events to commemorate the 50th year of Southeast Asian refugees first arriving in the Evergreen State.

We encourage you to learn more about this history through events like this talk!

In 1975, the Fall of Saigon sparked a refugee crisis, and many U.S. states turned Vietnamese immigrants away—except Washington. Then Gov. Dan Evans made the bold decision to welcome refugees fleeing war. Five decades later, that decision has profoundly shaped the Seattle area’s strong and resilient Vietnamese community. Storyteller and journalist Thanh Tân explored this pivotal chapter of local history during a talk last month at Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI): https://youtu.be/IkwwT_agLCY?feature=shared

Photo: Gov. Dan Evans greets Vietnamese refugees at Camp Murray in 1975. Photo: Washington State Archives

HistoryLink.org

03/24/2025

Ralph's work shaped Washington for decades. He'll be truly missed.

To learn of his work on disability rights, read his section in "1968: The Year That Rocked Washington": https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/sixty-eight/ralph-munro/

His important role in welcoming Southeast Asian refugees to Washington as part of the Evans administration is part of our current project, "New Land."

03/19/2025

We'll be there to share our work on Billy, the Fish Wars, and the Boldt Decision. Hope to see you!

Local residents are encouraged to join the free Billy Frank Jr. annual celebration at Timberline High School from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on ...

03/18/2025

Judge George H. Boldt died in 1984 after a storied career on the bench. Among trials he presided over were those of the "Seattle Seven" and Teamsters president Dave Beck, but his most famous case often bears his name-The Boldt Decision: https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/the-boldt-decision.aspx

02/27/2025

A well-deserved celebration. Dr. Mimms' story is part of "1968: The Year That Rocked Washington."

See the virtual exhibit and read the story here: https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/sixty-eight/maxine-mimms/

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Maxine Mimms! Details ⬇️

Join the Evergreen community in celebrating the life of Dr. Mimms and the legacy of learning and teaching she built.

Evergreen Tacoma will be hosting the annual Founders Day event with a potluck at the Tacoma Campus on Tuesday afternoon where the community is invited to break bread together and celebrate Tacoma's Founders. On Saturday, the community is invited to participate in Dr. Mimms' celebration of life and can register to do so below.

Evergreen Tacoma Founders Day Potluck
Tuesday, March 4th from 1-4 p.m. at The Evergreen State College Tacoma

Celebration of Life for Dr. Maxine Mimms
Saturday, March 8th from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Register to stream the event here: https://www.drmimmspresents.com/

02/25/2025

Check out this great efforts from Friends of Little Saigon - Seattle!

We're working on a publication marking the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first refugees of the war, and FoLS-S and their work will be highlighted within.

02/11/2025

That's our Chief (Historian, that is)! The Sam Reed bio, as written by John, is full of great images collected during his time as WA Secretary of State. The Washington State Archives shared many of them on Flickr in their "Washington's Secretaries of State - Past and Present" album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wastatearchives/albums/72157716960325732/

Sam Reed’s (’63 Soc. Stud., ’68 MA Poli. Sci.) half century of public service is detailed in the new book "Mr. Mainstream" by former journalist John C. Hughes, who joined the Office of the Secretary of State as chief historian in 2008 after 39 years at the Daily World in Aberdeen. It describes his early life, studies in Pullman, positions he’s held, and the way he’s served. His guiding principles: civility, moderation, and bipartisanship.

https://magazine.wsu.edu/2025/01/31/service-with-civility/

02/10/2025

The great Tom Robbins has passed away. We were fortunate to have the celebrated writer contribute to our "1968: The Year That Rocked Washington" book with a passage on the tumultuous year: https://bit.ly/3QbN5dP