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)
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

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

Photographs of Bertha Knight Landes (Collection PH1418)

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