Well the lunch meeting we had to cancel due to snow happened last Thursday. I think my head might STILL be spinning. It was a fun and fabulous lunch, but once Wendy got on a roll thinking of names, places, businesses, ideas, etc., it quickly became overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, overwhelming in a good way! But suddenly we’re looking at a long list of names and we need to get busy and serious! Goals, plans, deadlines, work…
Our next step needs to be an article in the paper. Fortunately the paper has been on a little run of printing historical stories themselves recently. I’m hoping they will see an article about us as a benefit and something that will play into their current theme. Anyone have a friend who is a reporter for the Skagit Valley Herald?
Monday, January 30, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Snow Days
Today was supposed to be a lunch to discuss Mount Vernon history with a new acquaintance. But since today is our third snow day in a row, we are stuck home with children. Hopefully we can reschedule for next week.
While snow is on our minds, how about a great photo:
See, this probably isn’t the worst snow storm to ever hit Mount Vernon.
While snow is on our minds, how about a great photo:
Friday, January 13, 2012
Who Knew?
There is a building at the corner of 3rd and Montgomery in downtown Mount Vernon. It is a very unassuming building; we’ve probably driven by it hundreds of times without as much as a glance. It is boxy and brick and somewhat plain except for a fancy white frame surrounding the skinny front doors. Currently it is the property of Skagit Valley College. But it turns out this building has a story. And oh how we love stories!
From 1935 until 1964 this building was Mount Vernon’s Post Office. It was a W.P.A. Project that employed contractors, construction workers and several skilled artisans. The project also included a commission for a special artist. Ambrose McCarthy Patterson was born in Australia, studied both there and in Paris, worked in Hawaii and San Francisco before making his way to Seattle. In 1919 he established the University of Washington School of Painting and Design. He created a mural at the head of the lobby that depicted rural farm land in the background and a milk processing and evaporating plant at work. At the time, milk processing was the major industry of the area.
And guess what? History survives! As soon as we read about this painting we were off to the old post office to see what remained. The lobby has been preserved with gorgeous wood paneling, an intricate tile floor and the mural:
Please forgive the quick, and somewhat grainy, cell phone picture. Now for another trail to follow—wouldn’t it be incredible to find a photograph of Patterson working on the mural back in the 30’s?
From 1935 until 1964 this building was Mount Vernon’s Post Office. It was a W.P.A. Project that employed contractors, construction workers and several skilled artisans. The project also included a commission for a special artist. Ambrose McCarthy Patterson was born in Australia, studied both there and in Paris, worked in Hawaii and San Francisco before making his way to Seattle. In 1919 he established the University of Washington School of Painting and Design. He created a mural at the head of the lobby that depicted rural farm land in the background and a milk processing and evaporating plant at work. At the time, milk processing was the major industry of the area.
And guess what? History survives! As soon as we read about this painting we were off to the old post office to see what remained. The lobby has been preserved with gorgeous wood paneling, an intricate tile floor and the mural:
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Not a Lonely Hunter
Well we had a prolonged holiday break when it comes to the book and blog (sorry about that), but it was fun and relaxing and we have approached 2012 with more energy and enthusiasm. I suppose it is motivation when you realize you are in the year of your publication deadline!
But before the madness of the holidays Jessica had a great meeting with folks at the Lincoln Theater. In 2011 this downtown landmark celebrated its 85th birthday! When you think “theater” you tend to think all things visual and that had led us to fantasize about an amazing stash of old photographs from this historical institution. Imagine our shock to hear that the Lincoln didn’t have any historical photographs! In addition, due to their recent anniversary, they had been on their own hunt for historical photos last year. Hum, small world…
On the surface that might make the meeting seem unproductive, but we don’t believe that is the case. It was a joy meeting Executive Director Thom Mayes. He and Jessica had great discussions about the nature of non-profits, the history of Mount Vernon and events at the Lincoln. And now we know that when we do find photos of the Lincoln we should treasure them and pass copies along to the theater itself. Apparently preserving our history is a group effort.
But before the madness of the holidays Jessica had a great meeting with folks at the Lincoln Theater. In 2011 this downtown landmark celebrated its 85th birthday! When you think “theater” you tend to think all things visual and that had led us to fantasize about an amazing stash of old photographs from this historical institution. Imagine our shock to hear that the Lincoln didn’t have any historical photographs! In addition, due to their recent anniversary, they had been on their own hunt for historical photos last year. Hum, small world…
On the surface that might make the meeting seem unproductive, but we don’t believe that is the case. It was a joy meeting Executive Director Thom Mayes. He and Jessica had great discussions about the nature of non-profits, the history of Mount Vernon and events at the Lincoln. And now we know that when we do find photos of the Lincoln we should treasure them and pass copies along to the theater itself. Apparently preserving our history is a group effort.
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