Allied Arts Oral History Collection, 2003-2009

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Allied Arts of Seattle, Inc.
Title
Allied Arts Oral History Collection
Dates
2003-2009 (inclusive)
Quantity
21 video discs , (DVD)
6 sound discs, (CD)
Collection Number
2016.96
Summary
Interviews with various individuals about the history of Allied Arts of Seattle
Repository
Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library

P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Funding to inventory, assess preservation concerns, and rehouse the collection was provided through a 2018 grant awarded by 4Culture.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Allied Arts of Seattle is a non-profit organization in Seattle, Washington, USA. The organization advocates for public funding of the arts, better urban planning and architecture, and other civic improvements. Allied Arts was a major force in establishing the Seattle Arts Commission, creating Seattle Center on the grounds of the Century 21 Exposition (1962 Seattle World's Fair) and preserving historical landmarks and neighborhoods, such as Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market, as well as defeating the 2012 Seattle Olympic bid.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Collection consists of copies of eighteen oral history interviews about the history of Allied Arts of Seattle, with six interviews conducted by Walt Crowley in 2003, and twelve conducted by Jeff Katz in 2009. Walt Crowley interviews Fred Bassetti, Mary Coney, Peggy Goldberg, Norm Johnston, Llew Pritchard, and Jerry Thonn. Jeff Katz interviews Alf Collins, Fred Bassetti, Peggy Goldberg, Paul Schell, Jerry Thonn, Alice Rooney, Norman Johnston, Rae Tufts, Mary Comey, Ralph Anderson, Marvin Durning, and Judy Whetzel.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

All twelve of the 2009 interviews are available online on the Allied Arts Foundation YouTube page.

Restrictions on Use

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Allied Arts Oral History Collection, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Location of Collection

4a.4.10

Location of Collection

11b.4.3

Acquisition Information

Gift of Allied Arts Foundation; received in December 2016

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Description Dates
2016.96.1: Oral history interview with Fred Bassetti
1 sound disc (CD)
Fred Bassetti (1917-2013) was an architect, teacher, and proponent of regional modern architecture from the 1940s to the 1990s. Selected projects include the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Municipal Tower, the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, and Lakeside School.
Digital copy; restrictions may apply
Transcript; restrictions may apply
2003 October 20
2016.96.2: Oral history interview with Mary Coney
1 sound disc (CD)
Mary Corey was president of both the Allied Arts Foundation and of Allied Arts of Seattle. She was also a professor of Technical Communication in the College of Engineering, University of Washington.
Digital copy; restrictions may apply
Transcript; restrictions may apply
2003 December 3
2016.96.3: Oral history interview with Peggy Goldberg
1 sound disc (CD)
Digital copy; restrictions may apply
Transcript; restrictions may apply
2003 June 4
2016.96.4: Oral history interview with Norman J. Johnston
1 sound disc (CD)
Norman J. Johnston was a Professor in the Departments of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning in the University of Washington College of Built Environments. He was a founding member of Allied Arts of Seattle in 1952; in the 1960s he was a leader in Allied Arts' fight for legislation in Olympia to eliminate billboards.
Digital copy; restrictions may apply
Transcript; restrictions may apply
2003 June 2
2016.96.5: Oral history interview with Llewelyn (Llew) Pritchard
1 sound disc (CD)
Llewelyn (Llew) Pritchard is an emeritus attorney with Helsell Fetterman.
Digital copy; restrictions may apply
Transcript; restrictions may apply
2003 July 30
2016.96.6: Oral history interview with Jerry Thonn
1 sound disc (CD)
Jerry Thonn is a Seattle attorney concerned with urban environmental issues. He was a member of Allied Arts of Seattle and its Underground Wiring Committee (ca.1970s) and chaired the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority Council from 1977-80, 1986-89 and served on the board until 1992, and was a board member of the Market Foundation and a member of the Lake Union Coalition in the 1970s.
Digital copy; restrictions may apply
Transcript; restrictions may apply
2003 August 26
2016.96.7: Oral history interview with Alf Collins
1 videodisc (DVD)
Alf Collins is a journalist who was active in Allied Arts, and was appointed Acting Director in 1993.
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 August 12
2016.96.8: Oral history interview with Fred Bassetti
1 videodisc (DVD)
Fred Bassetti (1917-2013) was an architect, teacher, and proponent of regional modern architecture from the 1940s to the 1990s. Selected projects include the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Municipal Tower, the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, and Lakeside School.
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 August 13
2016.96.9: Oral history interview with Peggy Goldberg
2 videodiscs (DVD)
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 August 25
2016.96.10: Oral history interview with Paul E.S. Schell and Pam Schell
1 videodisc (DVD)
Paul (1937-2014) was the 50th mayor of Seattle from 1998 to 2002. In 1971, he joined with the Allied Arts of Seattle to save the Pike Place Market from a proposed redevelopment. As the President of Allied Arts of Seattle, he led the successful effort to establish the "One Percent for Art" program in 1973, making Seattle one of the first cities to adopt a program to fund public art. Pam Schnell is a registered nurse.
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 August 19
2016.96.11: Oral history interview with Jerry Thonn
2 videodiscs (DVD)
Jerry Thonn s a Seattle attorney concerned with urban environmental issues. He was a member of Allied Arts of Seattle and its Underground Wiring Committee (ca.1970's) and chaired the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority Council from 1977-80, 1986-89 and served on the board until 1992, and was a board member of the Market Foundation and a member of the Lake Union Coalition in the 1970's.
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 August 27
2016.96.12: Oral history interview with Alice Rooney
3 videodiscs (DVD)
Alice Rooney (1926-2019) led Allied Arts of Seattle, the Pilchuck Glass School, and the Glass Art Society. She joined Allied Arts of Seattle in 1960 as the organization’s manager and left in 1980.
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 August 28
2016.96.13: Oral history interview with Norman J. Johnston
1 videodisc (DVD)
Norman J. Johnston was a Professor in the Departments of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning in the University of Washington College of Built Environments. He was a founding member of Allied Arts of Seattle in 1952; in the 1960s he was a leader in Allied Arts' fight for legislation in Olympia to eliminate billboards.
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 August 31
2016.96.14: Oral history interview with Rae Tufts
2 videodiscs (DVD)
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 September 3
2016.96.15: Oral history interview with Mary Coney
1 videodisc (DVD)
Mary Corey was president of both the Allied Arts Foundation and of Allied Arts of Seattle. She was also a professor of Technical Communication in the College of Engineering, University of Washington.
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 September 8
2016.96.16: Oral history interview with Ralph Anderson
2 videodiscs (DVD)
Ralph Anderson was an architect associated with modernism and preservationism. He was an early and important contributor in the restoration of Pioneer Square neighborhood and also participated in restoration projects along First Avenue in the Pike Place Market Historical District in the 1970s.
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 September 30
2016.96.17: Oral history interview with Marvin Durning
2 videodiscs (DVD)
Marvin Durning was an environmental attorney who was appointed chief of enforcement at the EPA by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. He ran for public office multiple times.
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 September 30
2016.96.18: Oral history interview with Judy Whetzel
2 videodiscs (DVD)
Digital copy available
Transcript available
2009 October 13

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Architecture--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Art commissions--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Arts--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • City planning--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Civic centers--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Civic improvement--Washington (State)--Seattle

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Sound recordings
  • Videodiscs