Initiate interest in Magnolia historical studies and activities throughout the Seattle area. Inspire the Community to acquire a publicly assessable common-use collection of acquisitions and archives; dutifully cared for, those collections will use state of the art technologies and professional services. Invest in Magnolia historical research and cultural heritage to further activities for charitable, literary, and educational purposes and have a sense of enjoyment with hands-on historic projects and work. Encourage a more complete and knowledgeable sense of place through the works and projects of the Magnolia Historical Society. Join us!

Magnolia Historical Society presents Magnolia Making More Memories, 'Book II', in Magnolia's history series. Order Now!

If you experienced joy reading "Magnolia: Memories & Milestones", you will definitely not want to miss purchasing "Magnolia: Making More Memories", now in a limited edition available for purchase. New memories, more history, new archival photos, and new stories make this a worthy addition in updating your Magnolia history collection.

The book is a chorus of voices telling Magnolia history in the decades of 1920-1940. Steam locomotives at Interbay, the West Point Lighthouse, the effects of World War II here on Magnolia and over there for one Magnolia family shape this collection written by 34 Magnolians. Photo essays and archival photos make this second in a series of Magnolia history a beautiful coffee table book with style and significance for every Magnolia resident.

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Magnolia: Memories & Milestones: 'Creating a sense of place.'

Author Wendell Berry has this belief: "If you don't know where you are, you don't know who you are..." It is all about getting "a sense of place." Of this notion, author Wallace Stegner writes: "…He is talking about the kind of knowing that involves the senses..." The thimble-sized blackberries that grow wild in secret spots on Magnolia, more in the yesterday than today, and generations passing the information down for the possibility of one more taste of that hot August, Magnolia blackberry jam. The memoirs of Magnolia residents. Bob Kildall making history then writing about it in the history of Discovery Park; Hal Will and his Magnolia childhood of the '30s, boys and their “Dumb Stunts…”; Dr. Henry A. Smith, Magnolia’s first white settler, “the first pioneer” a man whose vision and life made a difference for Magnolians while he lived and after he died. Magnolia: Memories & Milestones brings alive the roots of Magnolia and introduces us to a beginning sense of this place Magnolians call home. Recipient of The Virginia Marie Folkins Award in 2000 for best history book written in King County, this is an elegant presentation of eloquent stories and enthralling archival images. This is the first of two (hopefully, on-going historical written records) that entertains, enlightens, and encourages all neighborhoods to follow suit and begin the job of writing down their stories to create a tangible sense of place, Now in its 3rd printing, Magnolia: Memories & Milestones is still available!

What They're Saying about Book I

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Magnolia Historical Resources

Magnolia's Founder

Dr. Henry Smith takes on very large dimensions in the reflections of his loving daughter’s reminisces and a few available paragraphs of biographers. While Ione Smith Graff’s writings offer a special perspective on Smith, it is just that: a daughter’s memories of a loving and fun childhood fifty years after the fact, and a strong and understandable belief in her father and his abilities. Most sources consider him a “hero” type, quietly striving to make Seattle a better place to live. Few biographers...More...