Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Seattle, WA 98195

Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard). University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections 1391, 1717, 1766 Edwards, Myrtle Myrtle Edwards papers 1955-1973 circa 5.43 cubic ft Collection materials are inEnglish. Correspondence, scrapbooks, literature from trip to Israel, appointment books, photographs, awards and biographical data of a Jewish American

Myrtle Edwards was born in 1894, and studied music as a young women. She studied music at the University of Illinois, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree, the American College of Music, and the Illinois College of Music. She became a voice teacher at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where she met and married Harlan H. Edwards, a civil engineer and the son of the founding family of the American Conservation of Music, in 1918.

The couple moved to Seattle in the early 1940s after living in Illinois and California and had two children. In Seattle, Myrtle became involved in the Seattle and Washington State League of Women Voters, serving as president of both, and the Seattle Council of Churches, where she was a member of the executive board. She was also active in the Municipal League, the American Association of University Women, Business and Professional Women, the Boy Scouts, and the Camp Fire Girls. She and Harlan were also members of the Audubon Society and the Sierra Club. In 1964, Seattle Beautiful Inc. named her Citizen of the Year, for her tireless work with the organization, which promoted public parks, boulevard plantings, and programs that enhanced neighborhood beautification.

Once their youngest child was in college, Myrtle went back to school at the University of Washington to get her degree in political science, and entered politics. In 1955, she was appointed to the Seattle City Council and elected a year later. She later served as president of the City Council. In each of her elections, a time when the council was elected at large, she received the most votes, furthermore, in 1964, she received more votes than any other council candidate had ever received.

She was very committed to parks and green spaces and worked to make these spaces an integral part of the city. She was also a strong supporter of the arts, and was most proud of the remodeled Opera House and the various theaters on its campus. Myrtle Edwards died unexpectedly due to injuries sustained in a car accident in 1969. To honor her legacy, the former Elliot Bay Park was renamed Myrtle Edwards Park. The park, which had been a dumping ground for construction and industrial projects, was transformed into a waterfront park overlooking Puget Sound in honor of the kinds of project she supported throughout her career.

Organized into 4 accessions.

Accession No. 1391-001, Myrtle Edwards papers, 1955-1969 Accession No. 1717-001, Myrtle Edwards papers, 1959-1965 Accession No. 1766-001, Myrtle Edwards papers, 1959-1969 Accession No. 1766-002, Myrtle Edwards papers, 1973

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

Open to all users

Request at UW

Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Municipal government--Washington (State) Women--Washington (State)--Societies and clubs Voting--Washington (State) Voting--Societies, etc Women--Political activity--Washington (State) Women--Political activity--Societies, etc Seattle (Wash.)--Politics and government Washington (State)--Politics and government--1951- Pelly, Thomas M. (Thomas Minor), 1902-1973 Edwards, Myrtle--Archives League of Women Voters of Seattle Seattle (Wash.). City Council Charters Scrapbooks City council members--Washington (State) Civic leaders--Washington (State) Women civic leaders--Washington (State) Women city council members--Washington (State) Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington) Jewish Americans Scrapbooks Photographs

Accession No. 1391-001: Myrtle Edwards papers, 1955-1969 4.5' linear (3 boxes)

Scope and Content: Correspondence, scrapbooks, appointment books, photographs, awards, ephemera; 1955-1969.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Harlan H. Edwards, 1970-07-23

Accession No. 1717-001: Myrtle Edwards papers, 1959-1965 5" linear.

Scope and Content: Ephemera, photographs; ca. 1959-1965.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Mr. Harlan H. Edwards. Transferred from Engineering Library by Harold Wiren, 1971-09-13

Accession No. 1766-001: Myrtle Edwards papers, 1959-1969 1.2 cu. ft. (3 boxes)

Scope and Content: Convention literature, 1964, Jerusalem, Israel; literature from trip to Israel; scrapbook of clippings; charter of the City of Seattle.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Harlan Edwards, 1971-11-16

1 1766-001 League of Women Voters 1962

Scope and Content: Newsletters, current discussions and issues

1 1766-001 Seattle Worlds Fair 1962

Scope and Content: Pamphlets, maps, invitations, photographs, publications, ephemera

1 1766-001 Conference Programs and Records 1959-1966 1 1766-001 Newsletters 1962-1966 1 1766-001 Publications and Reports 1959-1966 1 1766-001 Ephemera undated 2 1766-001 Convention Literature, Jerusalem, Israel 1964 2 1766-001 Literature from Trip to Israel 1964 2 1766-001 Washington State Urban Study Tour of Europe 1966 2 1766-001 27th World Congress, Jerusalem (list of delegates) 1964 2 1766-001 Israel Notes and Gazette 1964, undated 2 1766-001 Travel Brochures undated 3 1766-001 Original Account of Funds for Election Campaign 1964 3 1766-001 Campaign Contributions (cards) undated 3 1766-001 Memorabilia undated Oversize 1766-001 Scrapbook 1969

Scope and Content: Clippings and correspondence regarding Myrtle Edwards' accident and death

Accession No. 1766-002: Myrtle Edwards papers, 1973 1 folder

Scope and Content: Biographical data, Dec 1973.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Addition - BIographical data, Acc # 1766-002, Box 1 donor, Harlan Edwards via Mrs. Norris, former Dean of Engineering, 1973-12-01