Bertha Knight Landes papers, 1895-1932
Table of Contents
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
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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
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Open to all users.
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
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 Description
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 Collection
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 Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Series 1: Family and Biographical
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Description: Genealogical notes about the Knight familyDates: 1897Container: Box 1
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Description: Henry Landes: miscellaneous articles, memorial, and letters of condolenceDates: 1914-1937Container: Box 2
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Series 2: Working files
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Description: 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.
Dates: 1926-1928Container: Box 1 -
Description: Taxation notes
Typewritten notes on taxation - with handwritten edits
Dates: between 1922 and 1928Container: Box 1 -
Description: Reports for the Commission for Improved Employment: Women's DivisionDates: 1931-1932Container: Box 1
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Description: Fragments of articles and reportsDates: between 1920 and 1941Container: Box 1
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Description: Reminiscence for the journal Survey GraphicDates: between 1928 and 1943Container: Box 1
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Series 3: Correspondence
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Description: Incoming
Congratulatory letters, letters of appreciation, letters regarding dance hall regulations proposal, administrative letters, personal letters
Dates: 1893-1937Container: Box 1 -
Description: OutgoingDates: 1924-1930Container: Box 1
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Series 4: Clippings
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Description: News clippings: Pre-City CouncilDates: 1887-1921Container: Box 1
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Description: News clippings: City Council CampaignDates: 1920Container: Box 1
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Description: News clippings: City Council Re-election CampaignDates: 1922Container: Box 1
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Description: News clippings: as City CouncilwomanDates: 1924-1925Container: Box 1
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Description: News clippings: Mayoral CampaignDates: 1926Container: Box 1
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Description: News clippings: MayorDates: 1926-1928Container: Box 1
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Description: News clippings: Post-MayorDates: 1928-1938Container: Box 1
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Description: Magazine clippingsDates: 1914-1935Container: Box 1
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Series 5: Ephemera
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Description: Seattle Yearbook: Annual Report of Mayor Bertha K. LandesDates: 1928Container: Box 2
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Description: 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
Dates: 1914-1930Container: Box 2 -
Description: 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.
Dates: 1884-1938Container: Box 2 -
Description: Collected poems and religious writingsDates: between 1910 and 1943Container: Box 2
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Description: Proclamations and Honors
Honors are from the Board of Park Commissioners, University of Washington President M. Lyle Spencer, and Prince Wilhelm of Sweden.
Dates: 1927-1928Container: Box 2 -
Description: Clubs, Afiliations, and TravelDates: between 1910 and 1938Container: Box 2
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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
