Public Meeting Announced

Historic Wallingford is hosting a public meeting to discuss the development of a National Register of Historic Places nomination and the use of historical census data for a residential historic district in north Wallingford.

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021
Time: 7 PM
Where: Virtual, via Zoom
FREE, registration required

Learn more and register HERE.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the National Register process and what designation means for property owners, and to  present early findings of historical census research. An in-depth analysis of census data will be used to reveal a richer story of the ethnic roots and occupations of early Wallingford residents. A second public meeting to unveil the nomination is planned for later this year.  

Where in Wallingford Treasure Hunt Announced

Historic Wallingford is celebrating our “reopening” from the pandemic with a neighborhood treasure hunt. This fun, self-guided activity is a chance to get outside and explore Wallingford’s historical architecture and flourishes of art with friends and family. 

So go for a walk along N 45th!

The treasure hunt leads you through the business district along N 45th, and sometimes just to the north or south, to solve clues and discover things about the history of Wallingford. Click here to learn where to get your map!

This activity is ongoing through September 15, 2021.

Stories Uncovered by Historic District Research

Historic Wallingford has a team of volunteers combing through old newspapers, census records, and Polk directories to document the people and places of Wallingford. The research is revealing a wonderful tapestry of stories that are reflected in the dwellings, shops, parks, and streetscapes of today’s neighborhood.

Visit this link to read this growing collection of stories. Do you have a story to contribute? Email us at info@historicwallingford.org.

You may have recently seen some misinformation online about our neighborhood’s effort to nominate a portion of North East Wallingford to the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district. 

We want to clarify our position and make sure you have good information in case you have questions. 

Receiving an honorary historic designation, like the National Register designation this project is seeking, comes with no restrictions on city land use policies or on a private property owner regarding development, use, maintenance, or alterations. The Washington Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation’s website explains this. 

The purpose of the project is to document the history and architecture of Wallingford, and that includes any negative parts of that history, such as policies that were exclusionary and which continue to impact the community to this day. It includes uncovering stories of past Wallingfordians, including women, immigrants, and working-class residents. Too often they and their contributions have not traditionally been recognized. Ultimately, we hope this historic district designation results in a richer, more inclusive story of our neighborhood and an appreciation for its historic architecture. We particularly welcome any stories you can tell us that you know about Wallingford.

You can read more about the project here. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@historicwallingford.org.

The COVID-19 outbreak continues to keep us from hosting in-person events and getting together. With renewed social-distancing restrictions announced yesterday, coupled with the dreary November weather, we’re once again sharing ideas for things to do at home.

We hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy and safe during this hard time.

Check out our Wallingford history crossword puzzle (…answers here)
Local history-inspired coloring activities (Seattle Municipal Archives)
Seattle Municipal Archives Virtual Vault
King County Archives Online Exhibits