Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries
William J. Pennock collection
PH2017-003
0.36 cubic feet
1 box
approximately 1920s-1950s
Photographs and documents on William Pennock's political activities and Louise Hastert's acting career
Collection materials are in English.
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.
William Pennock's 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
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's, Louise Hastert, work in theater.
Open to all users.
Request at UW
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details. copyrights unknown
Source: Michael Maslan, October 13, 2013. Memorial tributes to Pennock donated by Gena Kay in March, 2026.
Washington Pension Union records (MSS Coll 0185)
Pennock, William J. (William Jonathan), -1953--Archives
Pennock, William J. (William Jonathan), -1953--Photographs
Haster, Louise--Photographs
Seattle Repertory Playhouse--Photographs
Communists--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
Actresses--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Performing Arts
Civic Activism
Politics and Politicians
Photographs
Photograph albums
Theater programs
Series 1, Louise Hastert
1930s-1950
Portraits
1930s
PH2017-003 Box 1
1
Acting Scenes
1930s
PH2017-003 Box 1
2
Seattle Repertory Playhouse
1928-1940
PH2017-003 Box 1
3
Scrapbook-Newspaper Clippings
1930s-1940s
PH2017-003 Box 1
4
Letters to Louise
1930s-1940s
PH2017-003 Box 1
5
Magazines
1933-1950s
PH2017-003 Box 1
6
Series 2, William Pennock
1940s-1950s
Personal Photos
1940s-1950s
PH2017-003 Box 1
7
Pennock and Political gatherings
1940-1947
PH2017-003 Box 1
8
Political activities
1940s-1950s
PH2017-003 Box 1
9
Portraits and organizations
1940s-1950s
PH2017-003 Box 1
10
Series 3, Miscellaneous
Theatre Programs
1932-1959
PH2017-003 Box 1
11
"We've Got A Job to Do"
undated
PH2017-003 Box 1
12
Photograph Album
approximately 1930s
PH2017-003 Box 1
13
William Pennock memorial tributes
1953
PH2017-003 Box 1
14
Scope and Content: Typescript tributes to William Pennock upon his death in 1953. The tributes, apparently collected by Thomas C. Rabbitt, were written by Arthur C. Ballard, Holland Roberts, Sara O. Jackson and Lofty Cummings of the Aid to Dependent Children Local 337, Roy Stauffer, Chairman of the Progressive Party of Oregon, members of the Washington Pension Union including Thomas C. Rabbitt, Etta Tripp, Sarah Jackson, Alice H. Woodroofe, Mabel Conrad, and C. H. Fisher, and members of the Washington State Civil Rights Congress.
Acquisition Information: Donated by Gena Kay, March 2026