Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1920-1997

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Barnett, Arthur G., 1907-
Title
Arthur G. Barnett papers
Dates
1920-1997 (inclusive)
Quantity
11.76 cubic feet including 5 cassette tapes, 1 oversize vertical file, 2 film reels, 1 video cassette and 1 microfilm reel
Collection Number
1598
Summary
Papers of a lawyer and civic leader, 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

Consult the access restrictions information for each of the accessions listed below.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Arthur G. Barnett (1907-2003) was a lawyer and civic leader in Seattle, Washington. Barnett was a supporter of the Japanese Americans during WWII evacuation, chairman of Seattle Council of Churches and Christian Education's Japanese American Emergency Committee, board member and chairman of Seattle's Civic Unity Committee, and field worker for the Warren Avenue Project in 1936. Barnett chaired the Gordon Hirabayashi Defense Committee, representing Hirabayashi in his trial for violating curfew during World War II. He also represented Hirabayashi during his court appeals in the 1980's. Barnett also served as an attorney for Mark Tobey, beginning in the 1940's and continuing until Tobey's death in 1976; he then served as executor for Tobey's estate.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Consult the scope and content information for each of the accessions listed below.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Consult the restrictions governing reproduction and use for each of the accessions listed below.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 6 accessions.

  • Accession No. 1598-004, Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1935-1974
  • Accession No. 1598-008, Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1942-1997
  • Accession No. 1598-011, Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1928-1985
  • Accession No. 1598-012, Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1938-1976
  • Accession No. 1598-013, Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1920-1986
  • Accession No. 1598-014, Arthur G. Barnett papers, circa 1956-1976

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 1598-004: Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1935-1974Return to Top

.75 cubic feet (2 boxes)
2 cassette tapes

Scope and Content: Correspondence, minutes, reports, statements, clippings, tape-recorded interviews, photographs.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Gordon Hirabayashi's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Researchers must sign our form promising not to identify resently living individuals by name without their permission.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Arthur Barnett, 3/25/71; Gordon Hirabayashi interview donated 6/16/1974.

Description
Arthur G. Barnett papers

Accession No. 1598-008: Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1942-1997Return to Top

9.14 cubic feet (11 boxes)
1 oversize vertical file
3 sound cassettes
2 film reels
1 videocassette

Scope and Content: Financial records, case files, correspondence, clippings, exhibit catalogs, photographs, inventories, wills, tax records, writings, notes and videotaped interview related to painter Mark Tobey. Also includes information on other artists, including Helmi Juvonen, Pehr Hallsten and client files regarding painter, Morris Graves, 1944-97. Correspondence, speeches and writings, court papers, interviews, hearing transcript, posters, photographs and clippings documenting Barnett's support of Japanese Americans, especially Gordon Hirabayashi, during World War II (1942-43) and during the court appeals following the war, 1981-1988.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Barnett's rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries; Tobey's rights retained by Seattle Art Museum.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Arthur G. Barnett, 2/25/1997.

Description
Arthur G. Barnett papers

Accession No. 1598-011: Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1928-1985Return to Top

.63 cubic feet (2 boxes)

Scope and Content: Correspondence, financial records, writings and photographs of art works. Papers of Barnett's client and friend, Mark Tobey.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Barnett's rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries; Tobey's rights retained by Seattle Art Museum.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Arthur and Virginia Barnett, 7/23/1999.

Description
Arthur G. Barnett papers

Accession No. 1598-012: Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1938-1976Return to Top

.03 cubic feet (1 vertical file)

Scope and Content: Letter, 1/4/71 (?) from Mark Tobey, with envelope and clarifying note; four photos of Tobey as a young man in Japan and elsewhere; color photo of him with Barnett, ca 1972, and from his memorial service; slide of painting "Blue Night."

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Photographs may be reproduced, but rights to Tobey letter not transferred (Seattle Art Musuem retains Mark Tobey copyright.)

Acquisition Info: Donated by Virginia Barnett, 7/6/2000.

Description
Arthur G. Barnett papers

Accession No. 1598-013: Arthur G. Barnett papers, 1920-1986 (bulk 1981-1986)Return to Top

.21 cubic feet (1 box)

Scope and Content: Memos, notes, and articles from Barnett's involvement in the case to overturn the 1943 U.S. Supreme Court decision against Gordon Hirabayahsi. Includes a copy of the 1943 decision.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Presume may be copied and quoted.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Virginia Barnett, 2/23/2000.

Description
Arthur G. Barnett papers

Accession No. 1598-014: Arthur G. Barnett papers, circa 1956-1976Return to Top

1.00 cubic feet (1 box)
1 microfilm reel

Scope and Content: Art exhibit catalogs, some letters and financial records of and with Mark Tobey, ca. 1965-1973; microfilm (16mm) of Mark Tobey journals, published music scores used by Mark Tobey, Mark Tobey financial records, ca. 1956, clippings.

Restrictions on Access: Closed until processed; thereafter open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Barnett's rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries; Tobey's rights retained by Seattle Art Museum.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Virginia Barnett, 12/3/2003.

Description
Arthur G. Barnett papers

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Civic leaders--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Lawyers--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Barnett, Arthur G., 1907- --Archives
  • Hirabayashi, Gordon K.--Trials, litigation, etc
  • Tobey, Mark

Corporate Names

  • United States. Works Progress Administration
  • Young Men's Christian Association (Seattle, Wash.)
  • Young Women's Christian Association (Seattle, Wash.)

Titles within the Collection

  • Art In America

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Graves, Morris, 1910-2001 (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • American Friends Service Committee (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Civic Unity Committee (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Musée Cernuschi (creator)
    • Seattle Council of Churches and Christian Education (creator)
    • University of Washington President (1952-1958 : Schmitz) (creator)
    • Warren Avenue Committee (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Willard Gallery (creator)