Beyond Acknowledgment: Indigenous Wallingford Futures
A research project on Wallingford’s Indigenous history, presence, and future
Project Mission
Historic Wallingford has typically documented neighborhood history starting around 1890. Coast Salish peoples occupied this area for roughly 5,000 years before that date. This project examines that longer history and its living connections to the present.
Between June and August 2026, three contracted researchers studied archival, academic, and community sources to trace Indigenous presence in Wallingford, from Coast Salish use of Lake Union and Green Lake, through the mid-twentieth-century urban Indian community centered in part around Green Lake, to the present day.
Lake Union with early European-American development. Courtesy of MOHAI.
Where We Are
Our archival research phase is complete. We’re currently in a period of internal reflection and relationship-building with area Tribal Nations before determining how this work will be shared more broadly.
How This Will Unfold
Phase 1: Archival Research
Completed in August 2026. Indigenous scholars and UW graduate researchers reviewed archival, academic, and community sources over three months.
See the Reading listPhase 2: Internal Reflection
HW’s board and staff are reviewing the findings and deciding what role the organization should play in this work before moving forward.
Phase 3: Tribal Relationship-Building
Before any public sharing, we’re building relationships with area Tribal Nations and Indigenous-led organizations. Their priorities will shape what happens next.
Phase 4: Public Scholarship
Possible outputs include walking tours, art installations, educational curriculum, or community programs. What we share, and when, will be guided by Phases 2 and 3, not decided in advance.
What Should We Do Next?
This summer, Historic Wallingford researched the neighborhood’s Indigenous history. We want to know what the general Wallingford community is interested in seeing next: public art, a walking tour, a standing research group, and other options are listed on the survey below.
Give your input on how you might like to learn about this history. All input will be gathered and shared in conversation with area Tribal Nations and Indigenous-led organizations before deciding next steps.
Share What Interests You
Lake Union with early European-American development. Courtesy of MOHAI.
The Western Mill Company’s building at Lake Union’s southern shore, 1885. Courtesy of Washington State Digital Archives.
Research Partners
Dr. Alexandra Meany (University of Washington), lead researcher on the Indigenous Histories and Futures project
UW American Indian Studies Program, providing graduate student researchers and academic collaboration
Wallingford Community Members, sharing knowledge, oral histories, and lived experiences
Historic Wallingford, coordinating the project with community accountability
Chief Cheshiahud taking travelers across Portage Bay in his canoe, 1885. Courtesy of University of Washington Digital Collections.
Chief Cheshiahud and his wife Tleebuleetsa pictured at their cabin in 1904. Courtesy of MOHAI.
Join This Work
Share Your Story
Have knowledge about Indigenous presence in Wallingford? We want to hear from you.
Stay Updated
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Support This Research
This project requires resources for scholar compensation, graduate student research assistance, archival access, and community engagement. Your support makes this work possible.
Historic Wallingford is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your donation is tax-deductible.
Why Historic Wallingford?
Historic Wallingford has operated as a neighborhood history nonprofit since 2018. This project asks the organization to take on work outside its usual scope: research into a history that predates its founding by millennia and involves communities it has not previously worked with directly.
The board is now deciding what role Historic Wallingford should play going forward: leading this work, supporting Tribal-led work, or another role determined through the relationship-building process described above.