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Jeff Stookey and Jesse Bernstein papers, 1950-2010

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Stookey, Jeff, 1948-
Title
Jeff Stookey and Jesse Bernstein papers
Dates
1950-2010 (inclusive)
1974-1991 (bulk)
Quantity
7.32 cubic feet (6 boxes, 1 map folder, and 2 vertical files)
Collection Number
5734
Summary
Jesse Bernstein was a writer and performance artist associated with the Seattle Grunge scene. Jeff Stookey, a longtime friend, helped him to put this collection together prior to Bernsteins's death in 1991.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Historical Note

The donor of this collection, Jeff Stookey, a life-long resident of the Pacific Northwest, met Jesse Bernstein in the fall of 1971 while they both worked at a Seattle area Goodwill store. They remained close friends until Jesse's death in 1991.

Steven J. Bernstein (Jesse) was born in Los Angeles on on Dec. 4, 1950. He was writer and performance artist associated with the Grunge scene. Jesse worked as a musician during his chaotic adolescence and early adulthood. He suffered from infantile paralysis and mental illness, and later drug and alcohol abuse as well. From 1966 on, he lived mainly in Seattle, working as a poet, playwright, novelist, singer/songwriter and performance artist, often collaborating with other Seattle artists. He often read at punk rock venues. He died at Neah Bay, Washington in 1991.

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Content Description

Correspondence, artwork, photographs, audio and video recordings, and newspaper articles detailing Jesse's life, death, and artistic output at well as Jeff and Jesse's friendship. Included are papers, articles, photographs, correspondence, and ephemera related to the 2010 Bernstein documentary "I am Secretly an Important Man", two postcards to Jeff Stookey, referencing Jesse Bernstein (1986, 1995) and two postcards to Jesse Bernstein (1985).

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized into 2 accessions.

  • Accession No. 5734-001, Jeff Stookey and Steven J. Bernstein Collection, 1950-2010
  • Accession No. 5734-002, Jeff Stookey and Jesse Bernstein papers, 1985-1995
  • Accession No. 5734-003, Steven J. Bernstein and Jeff Stookey Collection, 1980's-1990's

Related Materials

For additional Bernstein resources please see the Steven J. Bernstein Papers, 1972-2001 (Accessions 5244-001 and 5244-002).

Acquisition Information

Jeff Stookey, 2012-08-13, 2017-07-12, 2025-03-07

Separated Materials

An art work entitled The Noodle, was separated from this collection and cataloged separately

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Art--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Composers--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Grunge music--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Musicians--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Performance art--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Performance artists--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Poets, American--Washington (State)--Seattle

Personal Names

  • Bernstein, Steven J., 1950-1991--Archives
  • Stookey, Jeff, 1948---Archives

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Stookey, Jeff, 1948-   creator (creator)


2013 (Last modified: 7/25/2025)

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