UAKMs159.xml Guide to the Chase Family Papers 1871 - 1995 Chase Family Papers Finding aid prepared by Roger Ray Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the Washington State Women's History Consortium. Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture © 1999
2316 W. First Avenue Spokane, WA 99201
Finding aid encoded by Kyna Herzinger 2007 Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on local standards. 2007 2007 accession arranged, described and added to 1999 finding aid by Kyna Herzinger. September 2023 Finding aid edited and updated by G. Mandarino Eastern Washington State Historical Society (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture), Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives
2316 W. First Avenue Spokane, WA 99201 Phone: (509) 363-5342 Email: archives@northwestmuseum.org
Ms 159 Chase Family Chase Family Papers 1871-1995 1930-1992 7 linear ft. 9 boxes African American family of Spokane, Wash. James E. Chase (1914-1987) was a civic activist, leader in the African American community, businessman, and Mayor of Spokane (1982-1985). His wife Eleanor (b. 1918) was equally involved in the community as a social worker, trustee for both Whitworth College and Eastern Washington University, civic activist, and talented vocalist. Includes newspapers and clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, correspondence, and other memorabilia from their respective involvement. Also includes Eleanor Chase's family photographs and history, plus records of the Pierian Literary Club. Materials are in English Biographical Note

Perhaps best know for his civic service as Spokane's first African-American mayor, James E. Chase, along with his equally active wife, Eleanor E. (Barrow) Chase, offered years of dedicated service to the Spokane area.

James was born in 1914 and arrived in Spokane by boxcar in 1934 during the depths of the Great Depression. Starting as a bootblack in a hotel barbershop, nearly 50 years later in 1982, he would be elected Mayor of Spokane by a resounding majority. In the intervening years, he had become a successful business owner, had held high office in Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, had become a leader in the African American community serving several terms as president of the local NAACP chapter, and had participated in a wide range of community activities. Prior to his election as Mayor, he had been elected to the City Council twice. Failing health, however, prevented him from running for reelection, or for higher office, and he died in1987 just two years out of office.

Eleanor E. (Barrow) Chase was from one of Spokane's early African-American pioneer families. Her Grandfather (records indicate he was a freed slave) moved his family to Spokane in 1890 and helped to found Calvary Baptist church. She attended Spokane public schools, graduating from Lewis and Clark in 1937. Regarded as a top scholar and talented singer, Eleanor continued her musical career while at college and graduated from Whitworth in 1941. Leaving Spokane for a professional singing career apparently was considered, however, she chose to marry James Chase in 1942 and to remain in her hometown. Eleanor continued to perform in the Spokane area for many years to considerable local acclaim. In the long-run, however, her civic and professional activities led to greater recognition. She was active in civil rights and held high office in The Eastern Star. Eleanor also had a long career in social work with State agencies and with the Spokane County Courts. In 1979, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Eastern Washington University, a position she held until 1992. Before that time, Eleanor had also served on the Board of Trustees for Whitworth College. In 1992, she was awarded an honorary Masters in Social Work from Eastern Washington University, recognizing both her service to social work and to the university.

The collection consists largely of newspaper clippings, photographs, and other memorabilia from the life and career of both Mayor James Chase and his wife, Eleanor, but also contains a few items of Roland J. Chase, their son. Materials from the Mayor's political career include those from his campaign and Inaugural Ball, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks of his service, and photographs. Eleanor's musical career, civic involvement, and family history is likewise represented by newspaper clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, and other ephemera. Additionally, the collection contains records of the Pierian Literary Club, in which Eleanor's mother, Olive, was involved. These include minutes, correspondence, and program booklets.

The Chase Family Papers were donated in two batches, and in both instances the records had no discernible arrangement. At the time of the first donation it was determined that the collection should be divided into two series, one for each of the principal subjects: James E. Chase and Eleanor E. Chase. When the second donation was received, it was decided that these materials would become an addendum. In the same manner, the materials were divided into a James E. Chase and an Eleanor E. Chase series. Due to the volume of newspaper clippings and photographs, however, two additional series were created, and the materials were arranged by subject matter.

Collection is not restricted.

 Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to the Eastern Washington State Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Museum Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Eastern Washington State Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher

Chase Family Papers (Ms 159), Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane, WA.

Donated by Roland Chase, 1999; 2007 (L99-3; L2007-2).

The 1999 accession was processed to the file folder level.

The 2007 accession was arranged and described according to Mark Green and Dennis Meissner's "More Product Less Process" method.

Eleanor E. Chase Oral History (OH 605 & 606)

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) WorldCat database. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search WorldCat using these headings.

Chase, James E. Chase, Eleanor E. Chase, Roland Chase Family--Archives Barrow Family Chase Youth Commission African American mayors--Spokane African Americans (college graduates)--Spokane African American families--Spokane African American freemasons--Spokane African American women--Spokane African American women singers--Spokane African Americans--Politics and government African American Baptists--Spokane Baptists--Spokane African Americans--Civil rights--Spokane Civil rights--Spokane Freemasons--Spokane Music--Spokane Schools--Spokane Women--Spokane Whitworth College Eastern Washington University Literature--Societies Pierian Literary Club African Americans Civic Activism Political Campaigns Spokane Washington (State) Chase, James E. Chase, Eleanor E. (Barrow) Chase, Roland Spokane, WA Ethnic Groups--Black Spokane--Schools--Lewis & Clark High School Whitworth College Eastern Washington University Masonic Lodge Spokane--Politics and Government

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

1/1 Introduction and Inventory James E. Chase 1/2 Correspondence 1940-1985 1/3 Chase Middle School 1993-1995 1/4 Ephemera, letters, clippings, etc. from public career 1982-1992 1/5 Free and Accepted Masons: Constitution, By-Laws, and Regulations 1973 1/6 Guest book from Mayor's Inaugural Ball 1982 1/7 Guest book from Mayor's Inaugural Ball 1982 1/8 Mayor's Appointment Book 1984 1/9 Mayor's Appointment Book 1985 Mayor's Inaugural Ball 2/1 Photos 1982 January 22 2/2 Photos from album 1982 January 22 2/3 Photos from album 1982 January 22 2/4 Letters, attendance list, programs from album 1982 January 22 2/5 Clippings, ephemera, negatives from album 1982 January 22 3/1 Newspaper story Dynamic Duo 1980 July 13

Includes notes and letters from well-wishers.

 3/2 News clippings from mayoral campaign 1981-1982 3/3 Miscellaneous news clippings 1972-1985 3/4 Newspaper feature, City's Blacks Trace Roots 1981 3/5 Successor becomes mayor 1986 3/6 Youth grants 1989 3/7 Lübeck, Germany newspaper 1983 September 10

James and Eleanor picture on page 13 (2 copies).

 3/8 Clippings: creation of Chase Youth Commission, Eleanor appointed trustee of Eastern Washington University (EWU) 1979-1985 3/9 Copies of Sister Cities Reporter 1984-1985 3/10 Miscellaneous news clippings, James and Eleanor 1981-1989 3/11 Newspapers: James elected Mayor 1981 3/12 Ephemera: Mayor's Conference, Taipei, Taiwan 1984 3/13 Issues of Spokesman-Review, Sunday Magazine politics, racial issues, Dynamic Duo 1968-1980 3/14 Photographs, no identification or labels 1982-1985 3/15 Photographs, some identified 1982-1985 3/16 Photographs, some identified with 2 formal portraits 1982-1985 3/17 Certificates, awards, honors 1982-1986 3/18 Calendar "A Salute to the Mayors" 1985

Calendar recognizes Black American Mayors. James Chase is shown for March.

 4 Scrapbook 1982-1985 Oversize

Chronological collection of clippings, letters, memorabilia related to Chase' s term as Mayor of Spokane.

 4 Scrapbook 1982-1985 Oversize

Chronological collection of clippings, letters, memorabilia related to Chase' s term as Mayor of Spokane.

 4/2 Original cartoon transparency relating to election 1982 Oversize 4/3 Photographs 1982-1985 Oversize

Formal portrait of Mayor Chase and of Mayor and Mrs. Chase with Council Members and others (probably staff).

 Eleanor E. (Barrow) Chase 5/1 Clippings, awards, programs from Edison School, Libby Junior High, Lewis & Clark High, Washington State College, and Whitworth College 1926-1940 5/2 Correspondence, letters to Eleanor 1940-1955 5/3 Scrapbook 1929-1936 5/4 Scrapbook 1934-1937 5/5 Tiger Yearbook, Lewis & Clark High School 1937 5/6 Ephemera: concerts and recitals 1925-1955 5/7 Ephemera: concerts, recitals, autographed programs, wedding announcements for Eleanor and James 1932-1953 5/8 Ephemera: concerts and recitals 1929-1983 5/9 Ephemera: Washington Water Power 1952 5/10 Appointment as EWU Trustee by Governor D. L. Ray; Good resume of social work career 1979-1992 5/11 Board of Trustees, EWU honors: Trustee Emeritus and honorary M.A. in Social Work 1992 5/12 Adjudicator's reports, vocal competitions 1938-1940 5/13 Cover story, Spokane Woman Magazine 1991 April 5/14 Musician Typist, Silhouette Magazine 1940 5/15 Off to College Party 1937 Chase and Barrow Families 5/16 Legal documents 1871 1979

James Chase, Notice of Election

Charles & Olive Barrow, Release of Mortgage

John Chase, Title to 86 A. of land in Texas

 5/17 Photographs 1914-1991

Early Barrow family photos, other early photos with little identification, J. Chase shop pre-World War II, Eleanor portrait, recent photos taken probably at EWU, possibly receiving honorary degree.

 5/18 Charles Barrow [Eleanor Chase's father]: Quality Printing Co. design books, other business material undated 5/25 Charles Barrow: Deer Lake Irrigated Orchards Company, Stock Certificate Book 1909-1913 5/19 Olive Barrow [Eleanor Chase's mother]: "A Short History of St. Thomas Mission" and undated photo of Eleanor 1917-1953 5/20 Kirk Barrow [Eleanor Chase's brother]: Grades 1-12 Report Cards and School Items undated 5/21 Barrow: Wedding Shower attendance lists (3) Eleanor's mother, Olive? 1914 Perkins/Parker Family 5/22 Ephemera 1890-1952 5/23 Photographs 1940-1964

Mostly undated and unidentified. Lucille Parker may be the source of the older photos.

 5/24 Correspondence: Mrs. A. Perkins and to Mrs. Lucille (Perkins) Parker 1918-1930 6/1 Newspaper clippings 1936-1979 6/2 Newspaper clippings, musical performances 1940-1951 6/3 Newspaper clippings, civic activities 1966-1980 6/4 Certificates, awards, honors 1932-1990 6/5 School newspapers: Libby Junior High, Lewis & Clark High School, and Whitworth College 1933-1941 6/6 Ephemera: concert posters, clippings, photos of Eleanor as vocalist, clipping of Marian Anderson 1937-1954 6/7 Clippings and programs from singing engagements and competitions; clippings about Barrow family 1940-1951 6/8 Scrapbook: Clippings, programs, and miscellaneous from singing engagements and competitions; Civil rights activities 1936-1950 6/9 Roland Chase: Activities at Lewis & Clark High School, principally sports 1958-1960 Addendum 7/1 Inventory and miscellaneous 7/2 Marriage Certificate for James & Eleanor Chase 1942 April 10 7/3 Wedding day lists and gifts for James & Eleanor Chase 7/4 Correspondence: to James & Eleanor Chase James E. Chase 7/5 Profile of James E. Chase 1975 July 25 7/6 Resume 7/7 Guest book from Mayor’s Inaugural Ball 1982 7/8 Speeches 1985 December 30; undated 7/9 Awards – miscellaneous certificates 1964-1984 7/10 Honors and other involvement 1986-1988 7/11 Election Brochures 7/12 Campaign thank you letters 1975 7/13 Masons 1934; 1974-1975 7/14 Correspondence: Letters to James E. Chase 1966; 1985 7/15 Appointment Books 1969; 1975; 1982 Eleanor E. (Barrow) Chase 7/16 Family History 7/17 Charles Barrow 7/18 Olive (Carr) Barrow 7/19 Biography of Eleanor E. Chase 1989 7/20 Oral history project of Eleanor E. Chase by Susan Pearle Beamer 1989 June 2 7/21 Resume 7/22 By the Falls: Women of Determination 1989 7/23 <date>Spokane Woman</date> , A Renaissance Woman: Eleanor Barrow Chase 1991 April 7/24 Education: Libby Junior High, Lewis and Clark High School, Whitworth College 1928-1941 7/25 Scrapbook of graduation cards and miscellaneous circa 1941 7/26 Ephemera: musical programs 1937-1962 7/27 Ephemera: miscellaneous 1989 May 10 7/28 Awards - certificates of appreciation 1986; 1990; 1992 7/29 Community Involvement 7/30 Masons, Prince Hall 1984-1985; 1992 7/31 Trustee, Eastern Washington University 7/32 Trustee, Whitworth College 7/33 Correspondence: from Eleanor E. Chase 1988 August 7/34 Correspondence: from Eleanor E. to James E. Chase 7/35 Correspondence: to Eleanor E. Chase 1982-1988 7/36 Miscellaneous Roland J. Chase 7/37 Birth Certificate 1943 May 8 7/38 Resume 1990s Pierian Literary Club 7/39 Correspondence 1936-1941 7/40 Minutes 1921-1938 7/41 Minutes 1938-1941 7/42 Miscellaneous 7/43 Program Booklets 1925-1944 8/1 Miscellaneous Photographs 8/2 Julia Barrow [Eleanor Chase’s paternal grandmother] 8/3 Samuel Barrow [Eleanor Chase’s maternal grandfather] 8/4 Charles & Olive Barrow and family [Eleanor Chase’s parents] 8/5 Charles &/or Olive Barrow in unidentified groups 8/6 Pierian Club Picnic 1941 8/7 Kirk Barrow and family [Eleanor Chase’s brother] 8/8 James and Eleanor Chase 8/9 James E. Chase, portraits 8/10 James E. Chase, election and service 8/11 Eleanor E. Chase, portraits 8/12 Eleanor E. Chase and family, photo album 1930s-1941 8/13 Eleanor E. Chase in groups 8/14 Roland J. Chase and family 8/15 Grand Lodge of Masons, Prince Hall membership 1960s-1970s 8/16 Grand Lodge of Masons, unidentified event 8/17 Photos from Perkins family 8/18 Identified family and friends 8/19 Unidentified family and friends 8/20 Miscellaneous 8/21 Miscellaneous Negatives Newspaper Clippings 9/1 African-American Community, general 9/2 African-American Community, <date>Negroes and the War</date> undated 9/3 Barrow, Kirk 1952; 1960-1961 9/4 Chase, Eleanor 9/5 Chase, Eleanor and James 9/6 Chase, Eleanor and James – pictures copied from newspapers 1980s 9/7 Chase, James 9/8 Chase, Roland 1953 9/9 Davenports Hotel and Ephemera 9/10 Deaths and Obituaries 9/11 Government and Politics 9/12 Government and Politics 9/13 Government and Politics 9/14 Masons, Prince Hall 9/15 Miscellaneous – EWU, Family, Fashion, Race Relations, YWCA, etc. 9/16 Miscellaneous 9/17 Miscellaneous 9/18 Miscellaneous 9/19 Music, not involving Eleanor Chase 9/20 School Newspapers: The Havermale News 1956 9/21 School Newspapers: The Libby News 1932-1934 9/22 School Newspapers: The Shadle Park 1959 9/23 Spokane History Oversized

Addendum oversized placed with other oversized materials in box 4.

 4/4 Eleanor E. Chase: Drawing of Julia Barrow [Eleanor Chase’s paternal Grandmother] 4/5 Eleanor E. Chase: Awards – Certificates 1986 March 3 4/6 Roland J. Chase: Spokane Chronicle 1985 November 4/7 Miscellaneous: Calendar 1974