Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Bertha Knight Landes papers, 1895-1932
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Landes, Bertha Knight, 1868-1943
- Title
- Bertha Knight Landes papers
- Dates
- 1895-1932 (inclusive)18951932
- Quantity
- 0.59 cubic feet (2 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 0076 (Accession No. 0076-001)
- Summary
- Correspondence, reports, ephemera, clippings, photographs of a former mayor and city council member of Seattle, Washington
- 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
-
Open to all users.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Bertha Knight Landes (1868-1943), elected mayor of Seattle in 1926, became the first woman to lead a major American city. She ran on a platform of "municipal housekeeping," vowing to clean up city government. She advocated municipal ownership of utilities such as City Light and street railways. Her single term ended in 1928, but she remained a civic leader and role model for women. She was a devoted wife to Henry Landes, a University of Washington professor of geology and mother of three children. She saw the community as an extension of the home and played leadership roles in several women's organizations.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Correspondence, reports, speeches, clippings, photos, and other material, relating to Landes's role as mayor of Seattle (1926-1928) and city council member (1922-1926). Includes material relating to Seattle Improved Employment Commission.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from this collection in digital format.
Restrictions on Use
Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series 1: Family and BiographicalReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Genealogical notes about the Knight family |
1897 |
| 2 | Henry Landes: miscellaneous articles, memorial, and
letters of condolence |
1914-1937 |
Series 2: Working files Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Speeches
Typed and handwritten drafts. Topics include juvenile
delinquency, police department finances, the Civic Auditorium (now known as
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall), commercial laundry, education, and advertising to
housewives.
|
1926-1928 |
| 1 | Taxation notes
Typewritten notes on taxation - with handwritten edits
|
between 1922 and 1928 |
| 1 | Reports for the Commission for Improved Employment:
Women's Division |
1931-1932 |
| 1 | Fragments of articles and reports |
between 1920 and 1941 |
| 1 | Reminiscence for the journal Survey Graphic |
between 1928 and 1943 |
Series 3: CorrespondenceReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Incoming
Congratulatory letters, letters of appreciation, letters
regarding dance hall regulations proposal, administrative letters, personal
letters
|
1893-1937 |
| 1 | Outgoing |
1924-1930 |
Series 4: ClippingsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | News clippings: Pre-City Council |
1887-1921 |
| 1 | News clippings: City Council Campaign |
1920 |
| 1 | News clippings: City Council Re-election Campaign
|
1922 |
| 1 | News clippings: as City Councilwoman |
1924-1925 |
| 1 | News clippings: Mayoral Campaign |
1926 |
| 1 | News clippings: Mayor |
1926-1928 |
| 1 | News clippings: Post-Mayor |
1928-1938 |
| 1 | Magazine clippings |
1914-1935 |
Series 5: EphemeraReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 2 | Seattle Yearbook: Annual Report of Mayor Bertha K.
Landes |
1928 |
| 2 | Event Programs
University of Washington Commencement-1914, Renton High School
Commencement- June 1927, Northern Life Insurance Company Agency Meeting and
Convention-July 1927, Reception to Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh-September 1927,
Cunard Cruise Ship Entertainment Programme- June 1930
|
1914-1930 |
| 2 | Certificates (including Certificates of Election)
From: American Civic Association, Skagway Womens Club, Worcester
Ninth Grade Grammar School, Hui O Pele Hawaii, Queen Anne Club, American
National Red Cross, National Geographic Society, King Ferdinand of Romania.
Also includes certificate as Mayor and certificate as Councilwoman.
|
1884-1938 |
| 2 | Collected poems and religious writings |
between 1910 and 1943 |
| 2 | Proclamations and Honors
Honors are from the Board of Park Commissioners, University of
Washington President M. Lyle Spencer, and Prince Wilhelm of Sweden.
|
1927-1928 |
| 2 | Clubs, Afiliations, and Travel |
between 1910 and 1938 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- City councils--Washington (State)
- Employment stabilization--Washington (State)
- Mayors--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Municipal government--Washington (State)
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
- Politicians--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Women city council members--Washington (State)
- Women--Political activity--Washington (State)
Personal Names
- Landes, Bertha Knight, 1868-1943--Archives
Corporate Names
- Seattle (Wash.). City Council
- Seattle (Wash.). Improved Employment Commission
Geographical Names
- Seattle (Wash.)--Politics and government
- Washington (State)--Politics and government--1889-1950
