Western Washington University. Center for Pacific Northwest Studies

On June 10, 1999 a gas pipeline, operated by Olympic Pipe Line, burst and dumped almost 230,000 gallons of fuel into nearby Whatcom Creek in the heart of Bellingham, Washington. The fuel flowed 1 1/2 miles downstream before being accidentally ignited by two ten year old boys playing with fireworks near the creek. Wade King and Stephen Tsiorvas died the following day from severe burns. Eighteen year old flyfisherman, Liam Wood, also died along the creek due to fume inhalation and drowning. The fire burned for over an hour and sent a wall of smoke six miles high. In the aftermath of the disaster the community of Bellingham searched for ways to cope with the loss of the three victims and the severe burning of Whatcom Falls Park. The September 18, 1999 "Remembering Whatcom Creek" event, sponsored by the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, was initiated in an attempt to assess the past and present state of Whatcom Creek as well as exploring its meaning to the local community. It was also hoped that the event could act as an outlet for individuals seeking to understand the tragedy that befell the community earlier in the summer.

From the guide to the Remembering Whatcom Creek Collection, 1979-1999, 1999, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)

The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies pamphlet collection is an artificial collection used to house individual-item accessions from a number of different donors. Materials have accumulated from sources including individuals from the local and regional communities and governments, service providers and clubs of Whatcom County, Western Washington University, as well as the Whatcom Museum of History and Art.

From the guide to the Pacific Northwest Studies pamphlet collection, 1857-2003, 1884-1990, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)

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.

From the guide to the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Miscellaneous Manuscripts collection, circa 1800-2005, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)

The Gay and Lesbian Miscellaneous Manuscript Collection comprises an artificial collection of materials gathered and housed by the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies.

During the Center's Gay and Lesbian Archives Project in 2001-2002, staff solicited archival materials including photographs, publications, posters and other printed materials. A number of individuals from Bellingham and Whatcom County donated materials documenting the history and experiences of the local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) communities. The Center later conducted oral history interviews with several individuals from the GLBT community.

From the description of Gay and lesbian miscellaneous manuscripts collection, 1972-2002. (Western Washington University). WorldCat record id: 94688169

On June 10, 1999 a gas pipeline, operated by Olympic Pipe Line, burst and spilled almost 230,000 gallons of fuel into nearby Whatcom Creek in the heart of Bellingham, Washington.

The fuel flowed one and a half miles downstream before being accidentally ignited by two ten year old boys playing with fireworks near the creek. Wade King and Stephen Tsiorvas died the following day from severe burns. Eighteen year old flyfisherman, Liam Wood, also died along the creek due to fume inhalation and drowning. In the aftermath of the disaster the community of Bellingham searched for ways to cope with the loss of the three victims and the fire damage to Whatcom Falls Park. The September 18, 1999 "Remembering Whatcom Creek" event, sponsored by the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, was initiated in an attempt to assess the past and present state of Whatcom Creek as well as exploring its meaning to the local community. It was also hoped that the event could serve as an outlet for individuals seeking to understand the tragedy that befell the community earlier in the summer.

From the description of Remembering Whatcom Creek Records, 1979-1999 1999. (Western Washington University). WorldCat record id: 56918815

The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Miscelleneous Scrapbook collection comprises an artificial assemblage of scrapbooks compiled by staff at the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies.

The scrapbooks in the collection were donated from a variety of different sources, and have no common provenance.

From the description of Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Miscellaneous Scrapbook collection, 1862-1967 1900-1967. (Western Washington University). WorldCat record id: 128226941

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.

From the description of Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection 1800-2005 1850-2000 (Western Washington University). WorldCat record id: 70204991

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 collection will continue to grow as new materials are incorporated.

From the description of Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Pamphlet Collection, 1857-2003. (Western Washington University). WorldCat record id: 70287401

From the guide to the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Miscellaneous Scrapbooks collection, 1883-1967, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)

The WWU Centennial Oral History Project was initiated in 1993 by a dedicated group of staff and faculty. The goal of the project was the development of oral history interviews for use in the planned centennial celebration at Western Washington University, commemorating 100 years of scholarly achievement. The result was an invaluable set of interviews, which document the history of the University and supplements the archival record. The history of WWU actually dates to 1893, when Washington State Governor, John H. McGraw signed legislation approving the creation of the Bellingham Normal School, but due to lack of funding, the school did not open until the fall of 1899. Bellingham Normal School became Western Washington School of Education in 1937, then Western Washington State College in 1961, and finally achieved university status in 1977.

The Centennial project provides information and presents a wide range of viewpoints documenting the university's growth and achievements over the past century. The individuals that project organizers sought to interview include former university faculty, staff, trustees, and alumni. The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies coordinated this project and expects it to expands as more interviews take place beyond Western's 1999 centennial.

From the guide to the Western Washington University Centennial Oral History Project Records, 1975-2000, 1988-2000, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)

The Gay and Lesbian Miscellaneous Manuscript Collection comprises an artificial collection of materials gathered and housed by the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies. During the Center’s Gay and Lesbian Archives Project in 2001-2002, Center staff solicited archival materials including photographs, publications, posters and other printed materials. A number of individuals from Bellingham and Whatcom County donated materials documenting the local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.

The Center hosted a workshop to discuss the history and experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals in Whatcom County, and conducted oral history interviews with several members of the GLBT community

From the guide to the Gay and Lesbian Miscellaneous Manuscript Collection, 1972-2002, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)

The Bellingham Centennial Oral History Project began in 2003 as a part of the Bellingham Centennial celebration from September 2003 to December 2004. In 2001, the Centennial Committee met and proposed an oral history project to preserve and promote awareness of Bellingham’s past. The goal of this city-funded project was to document long-time residents of Bellingham and their experiences of the past 100 years in Bellingham. Bellingham was celebrating the incorporation of the communities of Sehome, Fairhaven, and Whatcom. Center for Pacific Northwest Studies staff and volunteers conducted interviews with residents from a wide range of geographical, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. Suggestions from the community helped locate: George Davenport, Lois and George Garlick, Pauline Hillaire, Lenny Hovde, Jim Roberts, Betty Russell, John and Nina Sternhagen, Myrtle Molly “Jule” Thompson, Dr. Arthur Watts, Margaret Watts, Jane Hovde, Gordy Tweit, and Tut Asmundson. James V. Hillegas, a Western Washington University history student, conducted all the audio interviews, video interviews of George Davenport, Betty Russell, Pauline Hillaire, and Gordon Tweit as well as the research that accompanied the project as part of an independent study project. Working under the supervision of the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies Archivist, Elizabeth Joffrion, Hillegas completed 14 interviews with 11 individuals.

The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies (CPNWS) also collaborated with the City of Bellingham and Black Dog Productions of Bellingham to produce a documentary film, Centennial Stories, using portions of the video interviews. Along with the film, CPNWS also created a local history curriculum project for Bellingham schools. The explicit purpose of the audio interviews was to add to Bellingham’s documentary heritage, while the video interviews were created both to be retained at CPNWS and for use in the documentary film. These materials have been archived the Center in order to foster research in local Bellingham history for the years to come.

From the guide to the Bellingham Centennial Oral History Project Records, 2003-2005, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)