Photographs, newspapers, ephemera and tape-recorded interview by Mr. Berner and Mr. Bettis November 15, 1968.

Fred Woodson relates that his father Zacharias Longfellow Woodson and his mother Irene Frances Patterson both migrated to Chicago where they met and married. In 1897 they traveled to Seattle. His father first job was for Felix Tent and Awning but he also set up shoeshine stands in Pioneer Square and his wife sold cigars. Fred was born January 4, 1899. The family moved to L.A. but returned to Seattle and set up a rooming house business. The father built an apartment house and home, and then added additional buildings. His mother set up a free employment service for blacks. If people left the Woodson apartments it was to better conditions in their own home. (Shortened summary)