Local and Regional History: Using Primary Resources for Research: Home
An introductory list of primary source repositories, heritage organizations and other useful resources.
Primary Resources at WWU
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Video: Archives and Special Collections at Western Washington UniversityA brief overview of resources at the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Special Collections, and the WWU Archives & Records Center, with information about how to access primary source collections at these programs [Created by Rozlind Koester, Western Libraries Heritage Resources, 09/01/2016. Length: 10 minutes, 12 seconds].
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Research Guides (Heritage Resources)Subject-related research guides. focusing on resources available through Western Libraries' Heritage Resources programs (the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Special Collections and WWU Archives & Records Center).
Introduction
Interested in primary sources on the history of Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington or the Northwest? This guide lists a selection of local and regional archives, libraries, museums and other resources to which we frequently refer researchers. This list is not exhaustive. Contact us if you have questions about locating records on a particular topic.
Please note that the online Directory of Archival and Manuscript Repositories in the Northwest (listed below) is a valuable and more inclusive guide to primary source repositories.
Resources A-Z
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Alaska State ArchivesPO Box 110525, Juneau, AK 99811-0525
Phone: 907.465.2270
Email: archives@alaska.gov -
Alaska State Library/Historical CollectionsPO Box 110571, Juneau, Alaska 99811-0571
Phone: 907.465.2925 Email: asl.historical@alaska.gov -
Alaska's Digital ArchivesProvides access to historical photographs, albums, oral histories, moving images, maps, documents, physical objects, and other materials from libraries, museums and archives throughout Alaska.
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Anacortes History Museum1305 8th St, Anacortes WA 98221
Phone: 360 293 1915 Email:coa.museum@cityofanacortes.org -
Archdiocese of Seattle710 9th Ave, Seattle, Wa 98104-2017
Phone: (206)-382-4352
Email: archives@seattlearch.org -
Archives Building Reference LibraryResources housed in the reference library at the Goltz-Murray Archives Building. Cataloging of these titles began in March 2010 and is still in progress. Please contact Archives Building staff if you have questions.
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Bellingham Maritime MuseumPO Box 28220 Bellingham WA 98228
Phone : (360) 592-4122 -
Bellingham LDS Family History Center2925 James St Bellingham, WA
Phone: (360)738-1849 -
Bellingham Public Library210 Central Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-7323
Ask A Librarian: http://engagedpatrons.org/bellingham/askalibrarian.cfm -
Bellingham Railway Museum1320 Commercial St, Bellingham, Washington 98225
Phone: (360) 393-7540 -
Black Heritage Society of Washington StatePhone: (206)551-3278 Email: TheBoard@Blackheritagewa.org
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Chronicling America [Library of Congress]Chronicling America is a Website providing access to information about historic newspapers and select digitized newspaper pages, and is produced by the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).
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Densho ProjectDensho's mission is to preserve the testimonies of Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II before their memories are extinguished
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Directory of Archival and Manuscript Repositories in the Northwesta compilation of information about heritage institutions in the five-state Northwest region, comprising Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
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Everett Public Library - Northwest History Room2702 Hoyt Ave, Everett, WA 98201
Phone: 425-257-8005 Email: libnw@ci.everett.wa.us -
King County Archives1215 E. Fir Street, Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 296-1538
E-mail: archives@kingcounty.gov -
Lummi Nation Archives and Records Center2616 Kwina Rd, Bellingham WA 98226
Phone: (360) 384-2264 -
Lynden Pioneer Museum217 Front Street, Lynden, Washington 98264
Phone: (360) 354-3675 -
Maritime Museum of San Diego1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego, California 92101
Phone : 619-234-9153 Email : info@sdmaritime.org -
MemoryBC: The British Columbia Archival Information NetworkA portal for accessing descriptions of archival materials preserved in repositories throughout the province.
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Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)McCurdy Park, 2700 24th Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98112.
Phone (206) 324-1126 -
National Archives (Pacific Alaska Region)6125 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle WA 98115-7999
Phone: (206) 336 5115 Email: seattle.archives@nara.gov -
National Park Service - History E-LibraryContact list for National Park Service historians, including area(s) of subject expertise.
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North Cascades Institute Environmental Learning Center - Wild Ginger Library810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
Tel: (206) 526 2584 -
Seattle Municipal ArchivesPhone: (206) 233-7807 or (206) 684-8353
Email: archives@seattle.gov -
Skagit County Historical Society and Museum501 South 4th, La Conner, Washington 98257
Phone: (360) 466-3365 -
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention(Formerly the American Museum of Radio and Electricity)
1312 Bay Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 738-3886 -
Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society and Library135 N. Olympic Ave, Arlington WA 98223
Phone: 360 435 4838 Email: info@StillyGen.org -
Tacoma Public Library - Northwest Room and Special CollectionsPhone (main library): 253) 591-5666
Email: nwr@tacomapubliclibrary.org -
University of Idaho list of Repositories of Primary SourcesA listing of over 5000 websites describing holdings of manuscripts, archives, rare books, historical photographs, and other primary sources for the research scholar.
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University of Washington Libraries - Special CollectionsPhone: 206-543-1929
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Washington State Archives (NW Regional Branch)Goltz-Murray Archives Building, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington 98225-9123
Phone: 360 650 3125 Email: NWBranchArchives@sos.wa.gov -
Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American AffairsAn historical time line showing selected dates and events of Asian Pacific American History.
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Washington State Department of Health - Vital RecordsNB. See also the Washington State Archives (FAQ page) and Washington State Digital Archives.
Phone: (360) 236-4300
Email: contactchs@doh.wa.gov -
Washington State Historical Society / History Museum1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 272-9747 -
Washington State LibraryPO Box 42460, Olympia WA 98504-2460
Phone: (360) 704-5200
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Western Front Historical Collection (Student Newspaper) [Western Washington University]The collection consists of searchable, digital images of every issue of the Western Front -- Western's student newspaper, issued under many names and in many sizes since its inception as the Normal Messenger in 1899.
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Western Libraries Heritage ResourcesCentral web page for the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Special Collections and the WWU Archives and Records Center.
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Western Washington University - Center for Pacific Northwest StudiesGoltz-Murray Archives Building, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225-9123
Phone: 360 650 7747 Email: cpnws@wwu.edu -
Western Washington University - Map CollectionWilson Library 1W
Western Libraries
Bellingham, WA 98225-9103 -
Western Washington University - Western Libraries Special CollectionsWilson Library, 516 High Street, Bellingham WA 98225
Phone: (360) 650-3193 Email: speccoll@wwu.edu -
Western Washington University Archives and Records CenterGoltz-Murray Archives Building, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9123
Phone: (360) 650-3124 Email: university.archives@wwu.edu -
Whatcom County Library SystemMain Office: 5205 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: 360-384-3150 -
Whatcom Genealogy SocietyP.O. Box 1493, Bellingham, Washington 98227
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Whatcom Museum of History & Art121 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 778-8930
Photo Archives Email: photoarchives@cob.org
Photo Archives Phone: (360) 778-8950 -
Wing Luke Asian MuseumWing Luke Museum/Governor Gary Locke Library & Community Heritage Center
719 South King Street, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 623-5124
Heritage Resources
Heritage Resources
Contact:
Special Collections, 6th Floor Wilson Library, 360-650-3193
University Archives and Records Management, Goltz-Murray Building, 360-650-3124
Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Goltz-Murray Building, 360-650-7534
WebsiteUniversity Archives and Records Management, Goltz-Murray Building, 360-650-3124
Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Goltz-Murray Building, 360-650-7534
Heritage Resources
OUR MISSION
Western Libraries Heritage Resources provides for responsible stewardship of and access to unique and archival resources in support of teaching, learning and resarch at Western Washington University and beyond. The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Special Collections, and University Archives and Records Management work together to document the culture and history of Western, the local community and Pacific Northwest region, and to promote public and scholarly access to holdings.