Virtual Collections

Virtual collections highlight specific topics in the Archives through digitized photographs, maps, drawings, and textual records.

Eating and Drinking Places
This virtual collection allows you to tour various well known establishments and lesser known places where Seattleites and tourists have gathered throughout the years.

Seattle Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
On January 8, 1971, both Washington State and the City of Seattle designated January 15 to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., although it would not be celebrated as a national holiday until 1986.

Historical Postcards
A collection of postcards showcasing parks, buildings, views, and other Seattle sites of interest, mostly from the early 20th century.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
A sampling of records that illustrate how the many and varied contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to Seattle history are represented in the archives.

Art and Democracy: Civic Poetry
Poetry in Seattle, including the City's Poet Populist, Civic Poet, and Word's Worth programs.

Seattle Pride
Documents, photographs, and other records of LGBTQ life in Seattle within the movement for civil rights as well as in celebration of that community in the decades since.

Seafair
Films, photographs, documents, and audio clips relating to Seattle's annual summer festival.

Olmsted Brothers in Seattle
Includes drawings, photographs, correspondence, and other records highlighting the work of the Olmsted firm in creating much of Seattle's park system.

Seattle Human Rights Day
Documentation of the establishment of Seattle Human Rights Day, as well as the official City sponsored events over the years.

Black History Month in Seattle
Items from the archives related to the city's annual events and performances celebrating Black Americans.