Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Jesse Epstein papers, 1926-1989
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Epstein, Jesse, 1910-
- Title
- Jesse Epstein papers
- Dates
- 1926-1989 (inclusive)19261978
1938-1948 (bulk)19381948 - Quantity
- 0.79 cubic feet (2 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 3043 (Accession No. 3043-001)
- Summary
- Reports, writings, clippings, ephemera and scrapbook of Lawyer of Seattle, Washington. 1911-1989
- 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
-
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Jesse Epstein (1910-1989) was a lawyer and served as the first director of the Seattle Housing Authority from 1939 to 1945. Epstein emigrated with his family from Russia to Great Falls, Montana in 1913. In 1927 he moved to Seattle, Washington to attend the University of Washington where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1932 and a law degree in 1935. After graduating, the Bureau of Governmental Research, part of UW’s political science department, hired Epstein as a teaching fellow and research assistant. In 1939 Epstein was appointed director of the Seattle Housing Authority, a position he held until 1945. As director, Epstein oversaw the creation of Seattle’s first housing project, Yesler Terrace. The project was innovative because Epstein rejected government guidelines for design and insisted that Yesler Terrace be racially integrated. In 1945 Epstein was appointed the regional director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) in Seattle and in 1947 was promoted to the position of West Coast director of the FHA. He resigned from the FHA in 1948 and returned to Seattle in 1949 to practice law. Epstein was active in the Seattle community, as president of the Mountaineers Club, and served on the boards for the Seattle Indian Center, REI, Keep Washington Green, Washington Wilderness Association, and Neighborhood House.
Sources:
Caldbick, John. “Epstein, Jesse (1910-1989).” HistoryLink.org, October 4, 2014. http://www.historylink.org/File/10940.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Jesse Epstein Papers include reports, essays, and newspaper clippings that document Epstein's professional career.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1-2 | Newspaper articles about Epstein | 1944, 1989 |
| 1/3 | "Arbitrator's Award in re Sulphur
Handling, Port of Everett" report
This report, written by Epstein, details a dispute between the
Everett Waterfront Employers' Association (a branch of the Waterfront Employers
of Seattle) and the International Longshoremen's and Warhousemen's Union, Local
1-32.
|
1938 |
| 1/4 | "United States Community Appraisal: State of Washington" report by Jesse Epstein, Chairman, Washington State Appraisal Committee, Research Assistant, Bureau of Government Research, University of Washington | 1938 April 08 |
| 1/5 | Professional essays written by Epstein about public housing | 1941, 1948 |
| 1/6-7 | Newspaper articles about Epstein's career | 1939-1947, 1972, 1977 |
| 1/8 | Seattle Housing Authority Annual Report, Seattle Housing Authority event program, "Seattle Housing Authority Latchkey" newsletter, and flier for Epstein public talk at worker's open forum | 1938, 1963, 1978 |
| 2 | Scrapbooks of newspaper clippings about Epstein's career | 1926-1948 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- New Deal, 1933-1939
- Public housing--Law and legislation--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Public housing--Washington (State)--Seattle
- United States--Social conditions--1933-1945
Personal Names
- Epstein, Jesse, 1910- --Archives
Corporate Names
- United States. Public Housing Administration
Geographical Names
- Yesler Terrace (Seattle, Wash.)
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Seattle Housing Authority (creator)
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
