Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Ben Stein papers and oral history interview, 1920-1972
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Stein, Ben, approximately 1890-
- Title
- Ben Stein papers and oral history interview
- Dates
- 1920-1972 (inclusive)19201972
- Quantity
- 0.94 cubic feet (2 boxes) plus 2 audio cassettes
- Collection Number
- 1916 (Accession No. 1916-001)
- Summary
- Tape-recorded interview of an immigrant from Russia concerning life in Seattle
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- English, Russian
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Born around 1890 in the Russian-controlled Belarusian city of Minsk, Ben Stein arrived as an immigrant to the United States in 1915. Initially landing in Seattle, he soon traveled east across the country and tried his hand at a series of professions. Stein never returned to Russia, but instead chose to settle in the Seattle area for the remainder of his life. After working in the luggage business for a time, Stein began to sell insurance in Seattle with his cousin, M.N. Ketzlach. Though his work as an insurance agent provided him with his primary source of income, the true focus of his energy was his involvement with Seattle's Jewish community. Stein served as the financial secretary for the Seattle branch of the Workmen's Circle, an organization that provided fiscal, cultural, and educational support to Jewish citizens in the area.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains general correspondence, academic work, and journals that belonged to Ben Stein, as well as a tape-recorded interview with Stein in 1972 that discusses his life and his time with the Workmen's Circle organization.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
Listen to the audio recording of this interview on the Libraries Digital Collections site.
Restrictions on Use
Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Acquisition Information
Donated by Ben Stein, May 9, 1972.
Processing Note
Processing completed in 2016.
Separated Materials
Material Described Separately:Workmen's Circle/Der Arbeter Ring Branch 304 photograph collection (PH0769)
Workmen's Circle/Der Arbeter Ring Branch 304 records (Manuscript collection 1859)
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series 1: Ben Stein PapersReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | General Correspondence |
1920-1972 |
| 1/2 | School Papers |
1920-1924 |
| 1/3 | Drawing |
undated |
| 1/4 | Notebook |
undated |
| 1/5 | Diary |
1929-1930 |
| Box | ||
| 2 | Record Books of Stein and Ketzlach Insurance
Co. |
1939-1965 |
Series 2: Ben Stein InterviewReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| cassette | ||
| 1 | Audio Interview with Ben Stein, Part 1 |
1972 |
| 2 | Audio Interview with Ben Stein, Part 2 |
1972 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Stein, Ben, approximately 1890- --Archives
- Stein, Ben, approximately 1890---Interviews
Corporate Names
- Stein and Ketzlach Insurance Company
- Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring--History--Sources
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington) (curator)
- Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington)
