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William J. Pennock Photograph Collection, circa 1920s-1950s
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- William J. Pennock Photograph Collection
- Dates
- circa 1920s-1950s (inclusive)19201959
- 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
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)