Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Walt Crowley papers, 1960-2002
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Crowley, Walt
- Title
- Walt Crowley papers
- Dates
- 1960-2002 (inclusive)19602002
- Quantity
- 5.88 cubic feet (6 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 5573 (Accession No. 5573-001)
- Summary
- Papers of a journalist, community activist, policy planner, communications consultant, artist, author
- 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. Analog and digital media is closed until evaluated.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Walter C. Crowley (June 20, 1947 - September 21, 2007), journalist, community activist, policy planner, communications consultant, artist, author.
Walter “Walt” Crowley moved to Seattle with his family as a teenager. He graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1965 and attended the University of Washington for two years, where he became involved in local antiwar and civil rights campaigns and developed his sense of community activism. In 1967, he joined the staff of the underground newspaper Helix, where he worked for three years as a cartoonist, writer, and editor. From 1970 to 1972 Crowley was the director of the U District Center, a youth hostel and social service agency established in the aftermath of the 1969 University District riots. From 1972 to 1977 Crowley worked in various capacities for the City of Seattle—Director of Neighborhood Services, head of the Citizen Service Bureau, and Deputy Director of the Office of Policy Planning—and was considered the city’s chief citizen participation expert.
In 1980 Crowley, along with his future wife, Marie McCaffrey, and two other partners, founded Crowley Associates, Inc., a communications consultancy with a focus on political and labor communications. In 1984 he joined the staff of the Seattle Weekly as a columnist and feature writer, and in 1985 he was hired by the Seattle Municipal League to work on special projects and ultimately became the organization’s policy director, a position he held until 1988. In the meantime, Crowley teamed up with conservative commentator John Carlson for “Point-Counterpoint,” biweekly debates broadcast on KIRO-TV’s evening news program from 1986 to 1993. Crowley led the successful public campaign to save Seattle’s historic Blue Moon Tavern from demolition in 1990, and chaired Mayor Norm Rice’s task force on historic downtown theaters. He was elected president of Allied Arts of Seattle in 1992, and was Governor Mike Lowry’s lead speech writer in 1993-1994.
Crowley authored or coauthored over a dozen books on Seattle area history and institutions, and in the late 1990s he, Marie McCaffrey, and the historian Paul Dorpat decided to create a comprehensive historical encyclopedia for Seattle and King County and to put it online. Supported by funding from a number of public and private sponsors, HistoryLink.org launched in January 1999. The website grew over the next several years and received many awards, as did Crowley.
Crowley was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in 2005. After two years of treatment, he died from complications after a surgery related to his illness.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains correspondence, notebooks, speeches, writings and other materials. Areas of focus include papers related to the Allied Arts of Seattle, Crowley Associates, Woodland Park Zoo, Blue Moon Tavern, KIRO Point/Counterpoint, and PNP/Wordscape. Includes 3 VHS and 2 DVD recordings of Point-Counterpoint, one DVD video tribute to Walt, and one 33 rpm record. Drafts, contracts, and promotional material involving "Rites of Passage", Walt's memoir of the 1960s counterculture scene in Seattle, is also included.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
The creators' literary rights have been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Acquisition Information
Source: Marie McCaffrey, October 30, 2007; additional materials (represented in boxes 3-6) donated November 2019
Processing Note
Preliminary processing done by by Sarah Caldwell, 2010. Boxes 1-2 processed by Owen Prout under the supervision of Marie McCaffrey, 2019. Boxes 3-6 accessioned and inventoried by Ben Kass, January 2020.
Separated Materials
Two folders related to George Arthur were separated out for addition to the George Arthur papers in 2020.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | Washington Commission for the Humanities Inquiring Mind lecture series | 1994-1996 |
1/2 | Strategic Communications service agreements | 1982 |
1/3 | Strategic Communications correspondence | 1982-1985 |
1/4 | Municipal League Foundation volunteer documentation | 1984-1985 |
1/5 | Citizen's Alternative Plan Initiative 31 campaign work | 1988-1989 |
1/6 | Northwest Center for Progressive Research planning documents | 1994-1995 |
1/7 | Seattle City Council application | 1997 |
1/8 | Allied Arts of Seattle bylaws and proposed amendments | 1990-1993 |
1/9 | Allied Arts of Seattle correspondence | 1991-1993 |
1/10 | Allied Arts of Seattle Executive Committee and Board of Trustees minutes | 1991-1994 |
1/11 | Allied Arts of Seattle Hammering Man auction planning | 1993 |
1/12 | Allied Arts of Seattle Administrator candidate search | 1993 |
1/13 | Crowley Associates, Incorporated correspondence | 1980-1998 |
1/14 | Crowley Associates, Incorporated contracts and service agreements | 1981-1998 |
1/15 | Crowley Associates, Incorporated invoices | 1983-1998 |
1/16 | Pocket Concierge contracts and service agreements | 1984-1989 |
1/17 | Pocket Concierge correspondence | 1984-1990 |
1/18 | Pocket Concierge invoices | 1985-1990 |
1/19 | Personal correspondence | 1970-1979 |
1/20 | Personal correspondence | 1980-1989 |
1/21 | Personal correspondence | 1990-1999 |
1/22 | Personal correspondence | undated |
1/23 | KIRO correspondence | 1980-1989 |
1/24 | KIRO correspondence | 1990-1999 |
1/25 | Seattle Weekly "In One Ear" column correspondence | 1985 |
1/26 | Woodland Park Zoo Bond Oversight Committee quarterly reports | 1992-1997 |
1/27 | Woodland Park Zoo Bond Oversight Committee meeting minutes | 1992-1998 |
1/28 | Woodland Park Zoo Bond Oversight Committee correspondence | 1993-1995 |
2/1 | Walter Crowley Sr. magnetic suspension patents | 1963-1974 |
2/2 | Federal Bureau of Investigation information request | 1994 |
2/3 | Blue Moon Tavern press releases | 1984-1992 |
2/4 | Blue Moon Tavern miscellaneous historical documents | 1984-1995 |
2/5 | Forever Blue Moon Committee minutes | 1989 |
2/6 | Blue Moon Tavern Landmarks Preservation Board presentation matertials | 1989-1990 |
2/7 | Blue Moon Tavern correspondence | 1990-1992 |
2/8 | Blue Moon Tavern book project planning | 1992 |
2/9 | Blue Moon Tavern KRAB radio interview transcript | undated |
2/10 | Blue Moon Tavern public comments | 1989-1990 |
2/11 | Blue Moon Tavern Landmarks Preservation Board lawsuit | 1990 |
2/12 | Notebooks 1 | 1988-1998 |
2/13 | Notebooks 2 | 1988-1998 |
2/14 | Walt Crowley speeches | undated |
2/15 | Walt Crowley writings 1 | undated |
2/16 | Walt Crowley writings 2 | undated |
2/17 | Handwritten notes | undated |
2/18 | KAL 007 research | 1983-1984 |
2/19 | KAL 007 correspondence | 1984-1985 |
2/20 | Sketches | undated |
3/1 | PNP/Wordscape | 1995-1998 |
3/2 | McDougal | 1997-1999 |
3/3 | Artifacts-Lectures, Campaigns, Cards, Obituary and Royalties | 1994-1998 |
3/4 | HistoryLink-Walt Crowley-CAP Involvement | 1989 |
3/5 | Out of the Cultural Dustbin: Sentimental Musings by Hans and Thelma Lehmann | Undated |
3/6 | Big Al Agonistes, Article | 1997 May |
3/7 | Northwest Bookfest and Oracle | 1998 |
3/8 | Emmett Day and Scales | 1989 |
3/9 | Seattle Commons Planning Alternatives Publication | 1992 August |
3/10 | Active Correspondence | 1989-1990 |
3/11 | Fat Tuesday Flyer, Pioneer Square | 1978 |
3/12 | Allied Arts of Seattle/Allied Arts Foundation | 1992 |
3/13 | Hotel/Motel Tax Cultural Facilities Program Proposed Changes, Application, and Eligibility | 1991-1992 |
3/14 | Arts, Heritage, and Historical Preservation Task Force | 1992-1993 |
3/15 | Community Charities Corporation | 1993 |
3/16 | Executive Summary | 1987-1988 |
3/17 | Artifacts-Speaking Engagements and Clippings | 1999 |
3/18 | Taxes-Crowley and Associates, Personal | 1997 |
3/19 | Cal McCune | 1996 |
3/20 | Memorabilia-Clippings, Seattle U District | 1975-1990 |
3/21 | Seattle Aquarium Society and Initiative 412 | 1983-1984 |
3/22 | Washington State National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) | 1984 |
3/23 | Miscellaneous Personal | 1981-1989 |
3/24 | Miscellaneous-Clippings and Correspondence | 1969-1989 |
3/25 | Puget Sound Business Journal | 1993 |
3/26 | Wordscape Magazine | 1998 August |
3/27 | Portrait of the Activist as a Young Man, Clippings | 1998 |
3/28 | Seattle Geocentric Sister Cities Analog Proposal | 1985 |
3/29 | Voices of Washington Executive Summary Draft | 1993 |
3/30 | The Market Foundation: Preserving a Vital Heritage Publication | Undated |
3/31 | Playbills | Undated |
3/32 | The Municipal League of Seattle and King County: A History | 1985 |
3/33 | Allied Arts Foundation Auction | 1985 |
3/34 | Parking Tickets | 1984-1986 |
3/35 | A Michigan Mechanic - My Father's Life As An Inventor, Drafts and Related Clippings | 1990-1995 |
3/36 | The Other Lessons of Vietnam, Article Draft | 1991 January |
3/37 | Clipping, Seattle Police List of Names | Undated |
3/38 | Miscellaneous Mailings and Brochures | 1984 |
3/39 | Roster of Members, Public Relations Society of America Puget Sound Chapter | Undated |
3/40 | Point/CounterPoint Transcipt | Undated |
3/41 | "Zany Stories" Larry Sturholm Remembrance | 1989 |
3/42 | KIRO Correspondence | 1987-1988 |
3/43 | International Cat Association Certificate of Registration | 1982 September |
3/44 | Correspondence, Unsigned | Undated |
3/45 | Photos, London | Undated |
3/46 | Op-Ed Mayoral Candidates Clippings | 1997 October 1 |
3/47 | The Municipal League Foundation Issue Watch | 1986 Spring-Summer |
3/48 | Miscellaneous Correspondence to Point/CounterPoint | 1987-1989 |
3/49 | Seattle Public Library Proposed Capital Plan | 1998 |
3/50 | Daily Planner | 1986 |
3/51 | Yes Means Yes: Extend the Monorail Article | 1997 November |
3/52 | Central Seattle Community Council Federation Annual Report | 1972-1973 |
3/53 | El Salvador - Coffee Boycott | 1983-1993 |
3/54 | Handouts, Flyers, Clippings Ledger file was moved forwards from end of Box 1 to fit with the
other ledger files.
|
1972-1976 |
4/1 | Draft Sand Point Historic Properties Reuse and Protection Plan | 1997 October |
4/2 | The Helix, A History to Learn From | 1980 March |
4/3 | Savannah Exhibit Guest Commentary | 1980 |
4/4 | Cards and Photos | 1989-2000 |
4/5 | Writings | 1997-2001 |
4/6 | Correspondence | 1968-1972 |
4/7 | Unpublished Bert Garner Helix Cartoon | 1969-1970 |
4/8 | Seattle Repository Theatre | 1989 |
4/9 | KIRO Correspondence | 1988-1989 |
4/10 | Legal Pad Notes | Undated |
4/11 | Crowley Associates Invoices | 1988 |
4/12 | Talent/Appearance Coaching | 1988 |
4/13 | Hanford Education Action League (HEAL) | 1988 |
4/14 | Seattle City Council Run | 1979 |
4/15 | Correspondence | 1979-1998 |
4/16 | Seattle Public Library Annual Report | 1993 |
4/17 | PNP/Wordscape Merger | 1998 |
4/18 | Wiley Publishing | 1998 |
4/19 | KING-TV | 1985-1986 |
4/20 | Zoo Commission Report | 1984-1985 |
4/21 | HistoryLink-Walt Crowley-Cultural Development Authority | 2002 |
4/22 | Writing, Newspapers | 1995 |
4/23 | Writing, Newspapers | 1995 |
4/24 | Clippings | 1993-1995 |
4/25 | Clippings | 1995-1996 |
4/26 | Helix Book | 1995 |
4/27 | Helix Contacts/Books | 1969-1977 |
4/28 | Rites: Promo/Sales Contacts | 1995 |
4/29 | Rites: Promo/Sales Contacts | 1995 |
4/30 | Helix Book | 1993-1994 |
4/31 | Rites of Passage Uncorrected Proofs | 1995 |
4/32 | University of Washington Press Catalog | 1995 Fall-Winter |
4/33 | Rites of Passage Part II Draft I | 1994 |
4/34 | Rites of Passage Part II Draft I | 1994 |
4/35 | Rites of Passage Part II Draft I | 1994 |
4/36 | Rites of Passage Part I Draft I | 1994 |
4/37 | Rites of Passage Part I Draft I | 1994 |
4/38 | Rites of Passage Part I Draft I | 1994 |
4/39 | Legal Pad Notes | Undated |
4/40 | Seattle Magazine | 1994 August |
4/41 | Downtown Library Catalog Printouts | 1994 February-March |
4/42 | 60s Pictures | 1960-1995 |
4/43 | Woodland Park Zoo Zoo Commission II Loose Material | 1995-1996 |
5/1 | Woodland Park Zoo Zoo Commission II Table of Contents and Full Commission | 1995 |
5/2 | Woodland Park Zoo Zoo Commission II Marketing | 1995 |
5/3 | Woodland Park Zoo Zoo Commission II Management | 1992-1995 |
5/4 | Woodland Park Zoo Zoo Commission II General Background | 1976-1995 |
5/5 | Woodland Park Zoo Zoo Commission II Other Zoos | 1995 |
5/6 | Media | Undated |
5/6 | The Dehumanizers: Kill Lou Guzzo 33 1/3 rpm record | Undated |
5/6 | PCP Disc 1 Archive DVD | Undated |
5/6 | PCP Disc 1 Archive DVD | Undated |
5/6 | V3 Final Raw Walt Tribute DVD | Undated |
5/7 | The Rainier Club Membership Roster and Bylaws | 1991 |
5/8 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Correspondence | 1986-1987 |
5/9 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Clippings and Log | 1985-1987 |
5/10 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Walt Crowley Transcripts | 1985 |
5/11 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint John Carlson Transcripts | 1985 |
6/1 | KIRO "Air Combat" VHS | 1992 July 22 |
6/2 | Black KCTS/KIRO VHS | Undated |
6/3 | Point/CounterPoint Elections Betacam Tape | 1991 |
6/4 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Invoices | 1987 |
6/5 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Log | 1986 |
6/6 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Walt Crowley Scripts | 1986 |
6/7 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Walt Crowley Notes | 1986 |
6/8 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint John Carlson Scripts | 1986 |
6/9 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Press Clips | 1986 |
6/10 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Correspondence and Broadcast Writing Tips | 1986 |
6/11 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Invoices and Clippings | 1986 |
6/12 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Log, Invoices, and Correspondence | 1989 |
6/13 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Transcripts | 1989 |
6/14 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Transcripts | 1989 |
6/15 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Transcripts | 1989 |
6/16 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Transcripts | 1989 |
6/17 | KIRO Point/CounterPoint Correspondence | 1989 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Journalists--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Crowley, Walt--Archives
Corporate Names
- Seattle (Wash.). City Council--History--Sources
- Seattle weekly
- Woodland Park Zoo--History--Sources