The history of Fremont runs deep and, these days, fast. It surprised Heather McAuliffe when she tried to join a Fremont Historical Society (FHS) that we no longer had one.
In 1973 the FHS met - for about eight months, according to member Roger Wheeler. It didn't even last long enough to help with a historical survey done in 1975.
This time, however, Heather, Roger and Paul Fellows want to see their FHS not only start but seriously succeed.
Their Pieces of History kickoff event scheduled for Saturday, May 7, follows a year of preparation. They'll welcome new volunteers, accept offers of information and answer questions at the Fremont Library, 731 N. 35th St., from 2 to 5 p.m.
To make it more interesting, Paul Dorpat will present a slide show on neighborhood history at 3 p.m.
Gauging interest
They can't judge the level of interest among Fremonsters in history.
They began meeting last July with good attendance, but the kickoff officially starts the membership drive. They want people to know about the historical society, including those who might have moved out of the area but still have something to share.
Beyond holding the event in the Fremont Library, they've also been in talks about adding historical materials they receive to the Fremont Library's permanent collection. As long as they have volunteers trained to catalogue materials - and they do - it may be possible.
They encourage volunteers to help with whatever appeals to them: oral history, research, walking tours, etc. To that end, they have Heather, a veteran of volunteerism.
Heather McAuliffe
Heather helped found FAWN (Fremont and Wallingford Neighbors, a very successful community organization involved with security for the Fremont-Wallingford neighborhood around Aurora Avenue and eastward to Stone Way.
Heather admits, "I've been volunteering all my life."
Originally from Newcastle, "an area steeped in history," she learned an appreciation there for historical structures. Coming to Seattle, she wanted to live in Fremont.
In 1998 she found a 1904 home that she spent five years restoring back to its former charm.
Heather, who works downtown, has years of experience coordinating volunteers, and she believes in no pressure, keep-it-simple to get involvement and maintain consistency. Plus, she'll do work herself.
She took part, with Roger and Paul, in a six-week Nearby History class at the Museum of History & Industry. The class taught them about resources, how to research places and people and how to use archives.
Paul Fellows
Paul works on the web site, declaring the FHS "virtual, not brick." While Roger has big dreams of someday seeing a virtual tour available of Fremont on-line, at this point Paul simply hopes to have the FHS website (www.fremonthistory.org) up by the time of the kickoff.
Paul sees Fremont as a dynamic community, but he fears things disappear due to our continual activity.
He craves the personal commitment involved in starting the FHS rather than his previous, reactionary and often negative social outreach. This time, he hopes proactive work will help build community.
Born in Spokane, Paul came to Fremont in 1977, when he and his wife moved here from Bellingham. They rented a house from his brother-in-law in what felt like "Hippie-ville" near the Baptist church.
When they decided to buy a house, their search kept circling back to Fremont. Paul believes he has a special outlook because he lives and works in our community. From his job at the Burke Building he sees daily the work face of Fremont shift slowly through the evening into nightclub hangout.
Roger Wheeler
Roger Wheeler, a visual artist, also has worked and lived in Fremont. He lived here with his parents from 1956 to 1964, when they ran a sandwich supply business at the site of the Nickerson Street Saloon.
After brief stints in Queen Anne and Pioneer Square, Roger returned in 1972 to start his art supply store, Orange Unknown, in downtown Fremont. He's also lived in the Fremont Building and the Fine Arts Foundry.
And Roger has participated in our alphabet soup of organizations: FAC (Fremont Arts Council), FNC (Fremont Neighborhood Council) and FCC (Fremont Chamber of Commerce).
He currently works for the Fremont Sunday Market and serves on the board of History House, our local museum, in addition to his art and teaching.
More volunteers needed
Beyond their own commitment, Roger, Paul and Heather hope to see many, many other people take part. If you have interest, information is available at fremonthistory@comcast. net or 634-1569.
If not, think about how lucky we all are to have people willing to do it for us for nothing but the pure love of exposing history to us all.
Kirby Lindsay enjoys watching the future history of Fremont pass by from the comfort of her front porch. She welcomes your comments at fremont@ oz.net.
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