The collection was compiled by the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies. Materials were collected separately from different sources at different points during the Center's history.
The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Miscellaneous Manuscripts collection is comprised of a variety of materials pertaining to social, economic, political, and historical issues in the Pacific Northwest, particularly northwestern Washington State and Whatcom County. The collection spans the time period of about 1800 to the present.
Of particular interest within the collection are numerous property records for Whatcom County from its territorial days, and financial ledgers and other records of various Whatcom County businesses from the same time period. Meeting minutes, directories, and registers of local organizations and clubs can also be found throughout the collection.
The collection also includes a number of original manuscripts and musical compositions, published and unpublished, from Whatcom-area authors about a variety of subjects, but primarily historical in nature. Other writings in the collection include class papers, masters theses and audio-visual materials from Bellingham Normal School, Western Washington University and the University of Washington students.
The collection includes photographs and scrapbooks both personal and public in nature, dating from the 1800s and documenting primarily Whatcom County people and places. There are also materials acquired directly from or in reference to well-known, respected and/or colorful individuals from the area. Ephemera, publications, and advertisements highlighting notable dates and landmarks around Whatcom County, Washington State, and the Southwestern United States are interspersed within the collection.
The collection contains various records and publications of Northwest Native American clubs and organizations. There are also a few sources documenting Japanese-American workers in Whatcom County and the Seattle-area. There are photo albums from families likely of German descent, and a book of devotional poetry in Icelandic.
The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Miscellaneous Manuscripts collection is organized alphabetically at the file level according to the creator or source of the materials when available. When such information is not present or is indiscernible, the collection is organized alphabetically by format or genre of the materials.
The collection is open to the public.
Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Miscellaneous Manuscripts collection, Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225-9123.
The collection materials were acquired from a variety of sources at different points in time.
The collection was originally processed in August 2001 by Megan M. Sibbert for the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies. Modifications to the original inventory were made by Roz Koester in April 2006 and additional materials have subsequently been added by CPNWS staff. Certain materials from this collection were merged into more appropriate collections within the Center's holdings.
The Ella Higginson Papers at the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies are related to Folder 4/4 (Ella Higginson Probate File & Chronological Summary) in the CPNWS Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection.
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