Donald Schmechel Oral History Collection
Watch oral histories with prominent figures in the Pacific Northwest including artists Jacob Lawrence and Kenneth Callahan; Governors Albert Rosellini and Dixy Lee Ray and Reverends David Colwell and Samuel McKinney.
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Snow on Union St. at 3rd Ave., January 30, 1969
Looking east on Union St. from 3rd Ave. The buildings on the left are the Vance Building and the 1411 4th Ave. Building.
Identifier: spl_dor_00025
Date: 1969-01-30
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Philip McCracken Interview, February 8, 1987
Philip McCracken (1928-) is a Washington artist known for his animal and bird sculptures. McCracken was born in Bellingham, Washington and grew up in Anacortes. He graduated from Anacortes High School in 1947. McCracken began studying pre-law at the University of Washington but interrupted his education to serve as an Army reservist during the Korean War. When he returned to his studies, he decided to switch his major to art. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1954. After graduation McCracken traveled to England to become an apprentice to the famed British sculptor Henry Moore. On the ship to England, he met his future wife, Anne. The couple moved to New York where Morris Graves helped introduce him to local galleries. In 1955 they decided to move back to the Pacific Northwest and settled into their Guemes Island home. McCracken’s work is featured in many galleries and museums such as the Tacoma Art Museum and the Seattle Art Museum. In 1994, he was awarded the Washington Governor’s Art and Heritage Award.
Identifier: spl_ds_pmcracken_01
Date: 1987-02-08
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Virginia Price Patty Interview, August 17, 1987 and March 28, 1988
Virginia Price Patty (1898?-1998). Patty was born in Paris, Illinois ca. 1898. Her family moved to Seattle in 1905 and her father started work with his cousin, Charles Wiley. Wiley’s hydraulic construction company was responsible for regrading Beacon Hill, King St. and Dearborn. She attended Lowell Elementary and graduated from Broadway High School in 1916. She earned her degree from Smith College in 1920 where her interest was drama and theater. Afterwards she returned to Seattle and attended Cornish College and business school. She worked briefly at the Cornish Theater and in the principal’s office at Garfield High School. Patty married Andrew Price in 1922 and they had three children. Price was involved in investment banking with the National Bank of Commerce where he served in multiple roles including vice president, director and chairman. Patty served as the Girl Scout Commissioner of Seattle and King County for four years starting ca. 1942. In 1946, she was named to the Board of Directors of Western Region Girl Scouts. She was also involved with the Junior League. In 1955, her husband Andrew passed away. She married Ernest Patty in 1968. He served as president of the University of Alaska prior to their marriage and was involved in establishing the school's mining and engineering department. He died in 1976.
Identifier: spl_ds_vpatty_01
Date: 1987-08-17; 1988-03-28
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Thornton Creek Watershed, A Bicycle Tour, ca. 1983
Map showing bicycle route through the Thornton Creek Watershed along with information about environmental problems facing the area.
Identifier: spl_maps_2375421
Date: 1983
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Claiming Space, Seattle's Lesbian & Gay Historical Geography, 2004
Map depicting significant locations relating to gay and lesbian history in Seattle.
Identifier: spl_maps_2449778
Date: 2004
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Town of Columbia, King County Washington, ca. 1904
Map showing land parcels in Columbia City.
Identifier: spl_maps_2339135
Date: 1904
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View of regrade north from Madison St., ca. 1906
View north to regrade steam shovel at work on Spring St. between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Piper and Taft Sporting Goods and Hotel George appear in the background.
Identifier: spl_dr_026
Date: 1906
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Jack Docter Interview, March 10, 1988
Jack Docter (1915-2008) was the first medical director of Children’s Hospital in Seattle. Docter was born in Seattle and attended Montlake Elementary, Garfield High School and the University of Washington where he was part of the 1936 ski team. During his time at the University of Washington, he helped fund his education by working as an orderly at Harborview Hospital. He received his medical degree from the Columbia University School of Medicine in 1946. Docter began his medical practice in Seattle in 1947, specializing in cysticfibrosis. He married his wife, Marion Nute in 1948 and the couple had three children together. They also remained active skiers, eventually helping to establish the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. Docter became the director at Children’s Hospital in 1959 and was instrumental in establishing the cardiopulmonary hospital. He remained in the position until 1981. In 1987, the Dr. Docter Guild was formed in his honor, raising over $700,000 for the hospital. In addition to his medical career, Docter was an avid sailor and a member of the Corintian and Seattle Yacht Clubs.
Identifier: spl_ds_jdocter_01
Date: 1988-03-10
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Men working on regrade, ca. 1906
Water runoff from the hydraulic jets used for regrade work can be seen at the forefront of the photo.
Identifier: spl_dr_037
Date: 1906
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