William J. Pennock Photograph Collection, circa 1920s-1950s

Overview of the Collection

Title
William J. Pennock Photograph Collection
Dates
circa 1920s-1950s (inclusive)
Quantity
Photographs and clippings (1 box)
Collection Number
PH2017-003
Summary
Photographs and documents on William Pennock's political activities and Louise Hastert's acting career
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

William J. Pennock joined the Communist Party in 1936 while a student at the University of Washington. From 1936-1938, he worked for the Washington Commonwealth Federation, first as a secretary and then as an elected member of the WCF executive committee. He left the WCF in December of 1938 to organize neighborhood locals for the newly incorporated Washington Old Age Pension Union, which, became the first government-funded pension program for senior citizens in the United States. Pennock was elected to the State Legislature in 1938, running as a Democrat. He would be reelected in 1940, 1942, and again 1944. From the state legislature Pennock continued to champion the Washington Pension Union Pennock was one of the seven Northwest Commuinist Party leaders arrested and tried for conspiracy under the Smith Act. During the trial he died of an overdose of pills which was officially ruled a suicide.

His wife, Louise Hastert, was an actress whose career included theater and work at the Seattle Repertory Playhouse which was a progressive community theater which was eventually targeted by the Washington State Committee on Un-American Activities

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Photographs relating to William J. Pennock who was a member of the Communist Party in Washington State. The collection also includes documentation of his wife, Louise Hastert's work in theater.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details. copyrights unknown

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Source: Michael Maslan, October 13, 2013.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Series 1:  Louise Hastert , 1930s-1950Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Portraits
1930s
1/2
Acting Scenes
1930s
1/3
Seattle Repertory Playhouse
1928-1940
1/4
Scrapbook-Newspaper Clippings
1930s-1940s
1/5
Letters to Louise
1930s-1940s
1/6
Magazines
1933-1950s

Series 2:  William Pennock, 1940s-1950sReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/7
Personal Photos
1940s-1950s
1/8
Pennock and Political gatherings
1940-1947
1/9
Political activities
1940s-1950s
1/10
Portraits and organizations
1940s-1950s

Series 3:  MiscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/11
Theatre Programs
1932-1959
1/12
"We've Got A Job to Do"
undated
1/13
Photograph Album
circa 1930s

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Actresses--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Communists--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Haster, Louise--Photographs
  • Pennock, William J. (William Jonathan), -1953--Archives
  • Pennock, William J. (William Jonathan), -1953--Photographs

Corporate Names

  • Seattle Repertory Playhouse--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photograph albums
  • Photographs
  • Theater programs

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)