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Grow Our Collection We are interested in expanding our collection of photographs, artifacts, and documents. Please let us know if you have items you would be interested in donating. All donation offers must be reviewed by our Collections Committee which meets monthly. While we are grateful for all offers, our Collections Policy requires that items accessioned into the collection have relevance to the history of the Rainier Valley. Cur rent priorities for collecting include: ​ Items that reflect the wider Rainier Valley community, beyond Columbia City. Items that reflect cultural diversity and the post WWII era. If you'd like to discuss a collections donation, please email the collections committee at office@rainiervalleyhistory.org get in touch

Volunteer Form RVHS has collected, preserved, and shared the stories of the Rainier Valley since 1891. Our volunteers are essential partners in this effort. First Name Last Name Email Availability 1 day a week 1 day a month Occasionally What are you interested in helping with? Archiving Events Office hours Special projects SUBMIT Thanks for your interest! We'll get back to you shortly.

Our Mission To collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret the history and heritage of Rainier Valley and its community and to educate and promote public involvement in, and appreciation of, its history and culture. Our Goals 01. Research, document, and preserve the history of Rainier Valley. 03. Develop knowledge and understanding of the multi-ethnic history of the area. 02. Foster pride in Rainier Valley’s unique heritage. 04. Maintain and add to our permanent archive of oral histories, photographs, documents, and artifacts relating to the Rainier Valley. Land Acknowledgement: ​Rainier Valley Historical Society acknowledges the land our mission statement refers to as Rainier Valley is the original home of the Duwamish and Coast Salish peoples. We recognize the reverberations of colonialism past and present and the painful history of forced removal of these groups. Through this acknowledgment, we hope to honor and respect the Indigenous peoples who were, and still are connected to and are stewards of this land. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement Rainier Valley Historical Society is dedicated to sharing the stories and histories of the many types of community that make the larger Rainier Valley community a place of diversity and differences. Become a Member Help us preserve and celebrate the history of the Rainier Valley. Be a part of our advocacy for local preservation. get involved

Upcoming Events Stay in the know about upcoming events, meetings, and office hours. For further information, please refer to the details provided under each event listing. If you have any questions, you can contact us via email at office@rainiervalleyhistory.org or by calling (206) 723-1663. Become a Member Help us preserve and celebrate the history of the Rainier Valley. Be a part of our advocacy for local preservation. get involved

Photographs The Rainier Valley Historical Society maintains an ever-growing collection of photographs. These images are housed within our main database, PastPerfect, for public exploration and research. Additionally, RVHS offers photo essays and curated gallery selection, King County Snapshots, a collaborative project with the University of Washington and other Washington museums. Search Our Database Search our collection of 2,200+ photographs, articles, and artifacts. search Photo Essays Discover photo essays crafted by the RVHS team and guest writers. discover King County Snapshots Explore a curated collection of 350+ photos in collaboration with King County. explore Need help with a project? Looking for images for your project or need research assistance? Reach out to RVHS—we're here to help! Schedule an appointment or email us with your questions. ​ We also handle photo prints and usage requests via email. Contact us at office@rainiervalleyhistory.org . contact us

Our Team Rainier Valley Historical Society is guided by our dedicated Board of Directors. Our board members are volunteers who bring expertise in finance, non-profit management, and historic preservation to our organization. ​ ​ They are passionately committed to advancing RVHS's mission and engaging others in the importance of preservation efforts. Karen O'Brien President Archives Committee Chair Mary Charles Vice President Fundraising Committee Chair John DeFranco Treasurer ​ Jody Zumwalt Secretary Fundraising Committee Teresa Anderson Board Member Archives Committee Tim Burdick Board Member Facilities Chair Rebecca Corpuz Board Member Outreach Committee Chair Laura Day Board Member ​ Nancy Dulaney Board Member Archives Committee David Eskenazi Board Member ​ Joan Neville Board Member Founding Member Ryan Wadleigh Board Member Archives Committee Katie McClure Contractor Programs & Marketing Alyssa Enders Consultant Archives & Preservation Grover Haynes Emeritus Board Member Get Involved Passionate about preserving history and making a difference in your community? Join our dedicated team of volunteers! Fill out our volunteer interest form to get connected. Join the Team

Hillman City Heritage Bell Project Image Gallery Explore Hillman City's rich history and cultural diversity through the transformation of a 120-Year-Old Bell. The Hillman City Heritage Bell project has been nearly five years in the making, tracing back to 2019 when real estate broker and RVHS supporter Ray Akers orchestrated the donation of a 120-year-old cast iron bell. This historic bell was generously given by RVHS Lifetime Members Pete and Helen Sikov, setting the wheels in motion for what would become a significant landmark in Hillman City. Crafted around 1907, this bell once rang out from a church steeple at the corner of Rainier Ave S and S Lucile St, summoning worshippers from various congregations, including the Hillman Methodist Episcopal Church, Pentecostals, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, United Baptist, and Damascus Baptist. Although the exact date of its removal from the tower is unknown, the bell remained on the property as it transitioned to the Dayspring & Fitch Funeral Home, where it continued its presence for three decades until the building was demolished in 2020. Recognizing the bell's historical value, the Rainier Valley Historical Society (RVHS) embarked on a mission to preserve and reintroduce it as a new landmark for Hillman City. In 2021, the restoration began with sandblasting, stabilization, and priming. A "Call for Artists" was issued, leading to the selection of Cathy Fields, a local mural artist and 50-year Hillman City resident, to paint a mural on the bell. Cathy's work tells a captivating visual story, celebrating the cultural diversity of Rainier Valley. Completed in 2022, her mural honors Indigenous Peoples, early pioneers, and notable community members, reflecting Hillman City’s history as a welcoming home for immigrant populations. (Read her full Artist Statement below ) By July 2024, RVHS, with the help of community volunteers and Kohl Construction, developed a stand for the bell at the corner of Rainier Ave S and S Findlay St. The chosen installation site, currently home to "The Flour Box," has a rich history of its own, once being a Shell station turned service station operated by Rudy Hanson from the mid-1960s until his passing in 2008. The Hanson family, who still owns the property, graciously allowed the bell to be installed here, just across from its original home. The project culminated in a grand dedication event on August 10, 2024, during the Hillman City Neighborhood Association Block Party. This significant moment marked the bell’s new role as a symbol of local heritage and community spirit, celebrating the rich history and cultural diversity of Hillman City. Project Timeline 2019: The Hillman City Heritage Bell was donated to RVHS by Lifetime members Pete and Helen Sikov, after the demolition of the Dayspring & Fitch Funeral Home. RVHS begins fundraising efforts at the Annual Founder's Dinner 2021: RVHS initiated the restoration of the bell, with sandblasting, stabilization, and priming, preparing it for a new chapter as a public art piece. A "Call for Artists" was issued, and Cathy Fields was selected to create a mural celebrating the area's diverse history. 2022: Cathy Fields completed the mural, depicting significant moments and figures in Hillman City’s history, from Indigenous Peoples to early settlers and local business owners. The bell was then clear-coated for protection. July 2024: The bell was installed on a custom stand at the corner of Rainier Ave S and S Findlay St, across from its original home. August 10, 2024: The bell was officially unveiled during the Hillman City Neighborhood Association Block Party, marking its new role as a symbol of community and heritage. Meet the Artist Cathy Fields, a mural artist and lifelong resident of Seattle's Hillman City, masterfully blends the real and the imagined in her visual storytelling. Selected by the Rainier Valley Historical Society during their 2020 “Call for Artists,” Cathy’s work intertwines echoes of the past with the blur of contemporary times, resonating deeply with the community she has called home for 50 years. The following is a narrative that goes with the stories circling the bell, beginning with the vignette of native people gathering food and moving to the right around the bell: As the ice age ended, humankind arrived along the Pacific coast. The indigenous people who inhabited what was to become the Seattle area were here for over 10,000 years before the Euro-Americans arrived. The Coast Salish people were made up of various tribes that shared a common language. The scene depicted is of summer time when local tribes come to Lake Washington’s coastlines to harvest food to preserve for the winter. The men would fish and hunt, and women would gather various herbs, berries, fresh water mussels, or, as in this picture, dig camas roots, and much more. Moving right around the bell, the depicted one-room cabin became a neighborhood store in 1901 when Rhineholt and Louise Hausler moved to the area and purchased the property from Clarence D. Hillman. They quickly opened for business on Rainier Avenue at Graham Street. The Hausler store supplied Hillman City residents with a variety of household necessities and kitchen staples. The electric railway stopped a few feet from their porch delivering much of the goods that stocked their store. The Hauslers eventually build a bigger store further south on Rainier Ave. and moved there in 1921. The woman to the right of the store is Mrs. Fumiko M. Noji who, with her husband and family, ran the enterprising Columbia Greenhouse and Nursery between South Orcas and Juneau Streets and what is now Martin Luther King Jr. Way from 1918-1996. They had a reputation for their wonderful tomatoes. Her father-in-law, Isao Noji, was one of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce men who brought the cherry trees from Japan to Seward Park. When the family was interned during World War ll, a good friend who managed the grounds of Sick’s Stadium moved into their home and cared for the property until their return. Eventually a fourth generation family member moved the greenhouses to Kent and the award winning Noji Gardens affordable housing community was planned and built on the property by HomeSight. Also shown in this vignette is the Seattle Renton & Southern Railway that enabled valley farmers to transport their produce into town, make trips to visit friends and family, and encouraged development and new businesses. Sadly funding, safety, and reliability were problematic leading to a loss of licensing. The rails were torn up in 1937 to make way for more buses, trucks and cars. The church building in the distance hosted a number of different faiths over the years. Before it was torn down, the bell was donated to the Rainier Valley Historical Society and is now the “canvas” for this painting. The original Fire Station 28 was built in 1910, three years after Hillman City was annexed into Seattle. It was located at 4525 S. Orcas Street, just east of Rainier Ave. They used horses to pull the hose wagons until they became motorized in 1924. In 1955 the old station was closed and moved to a newly built station at its current location on Rainier Avenue. Rainier Valley wouldn’t be complete without Mt. Rainier. On a clear day it may loom large and appear deceptively near from Seward Park or when driving south on Rainier Ave. Here it is a backdrop for the title section, Looking Back. This Vignette speaks to the valley’s history as a destination for many different immigrant populations over the decades, enriching the area with cultural diversity, perhaps one of our greatest assets. Acknowledgements This project was made possible through the generous support of King County 4Culture, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods' Small Sparks Fund, the Hillman City Neighborhood Association, Khol Construction, Flamespray NW, Puget Sound Coatings, the Sikov family, and the Hanson family. Special thanks go to the RVHS board members, members, and volunteers, whose time, talents, and dedication were instrumental in bringing this project to life. The Hillman City Heritage Bell now stands as a beacon of our shared history and a reminder of the vibrant community spirit that defines Hillman City. We invite you to visit and reflect on the stories it tells, connecting our past to our present and future. Gallery

Articles Filter by tag: Columbia City Activism Street Cars Food Stories Mount Baker Schools Timber & Mills Garlic Gulch Women's Voices Baseball Hillman City Lakewood Books Events Rainier Beach Franklin High School Religion Special Programs Beacon Hill History Maker Awards Seward Park Filter by category: All Posts Days Gone By Oral Histories Dismantling Racism Series Articles Photo Essays Articles Riding the Number 7: Celebrating Rainier Valley's Heritage and Community "Riding the Number 7" stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of community, resilience, and dedication that defines Rainier Valley. The Articles Southeast Seattle ZIP Code 98118: Neighborhood of Nations It's been said that the 98118 ZIP code in Southeast Seattle is the most diverse in the United States. Articles Unveiling of the Hillman City Heritage Bell Join us at the Hillman City Block Party for the official unveiling of the Hillman City Heritage Bell - Hillman City’s new landmark! Articles Meet Cathy Fields - The Artist Behind the Hillman City Heritage Bell Meet Cathy Fields and read her artist statement for Hillman City's newest landmark, the Hillman City Heritage Bell. Articles Ghosts on the Ceiling I was born on March 30, 1947 in Rochester New, York. I came to live in my grandmother’s house, where my dad and uncle grew up. The house... Articles Lake Washington Regatta at Seward Park - 1947 Rowing is the oldest intercollegiate sport in the U.S. that began with a race between Yale and Harvard Universities in 1852. Years later,... Articles Row, Row, Row Your Boat ... Rainier Valley’s Connection to the 1936 Olympic Gold Medal Reading the captivating and best selling book Boys in the Boat, inspired us to... Photo Essays Columbia Branch History - Seattle Public Libraries Step back in time with us as we dive into the history of the Columbia Branch Library. In June 1909, the Seattle Public Library... Articles The Real Boys In The Boat - RVHS 133rd Annual Meeting Presenting: "The Real Boys in the Boat" - A Daughter Remembers Join us and Judy Rantz Willman, daughter of University of Washington crew... Articles What am I going to do with these plums? Garlic Gulch Legacy by Mikala Woodward, Excerpted from Rainier Valley Food Stories Cookbook Many Italian families – like many other... Articles Garlic Gulch Under the Microscope The Rainier Valley’s Italian community has long been a focus of interest and curiosity. In 1915 sociology graduate student Nellie Roe... Articles All’s Fair in Love and War Excerpted from Rainier Valley Food Stories Cookbook The greatest love stories all feature a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, overcome... Articles Ark Lodge Building: Home of Columbia City's Fraternal Past In this 1937 photograph we see the east side of Rainier Avenue’s 4800 block, with the ornate Ark Lodge building occupying center stage.... Articles Bombers Over the Rainier Valley? World War Two Defenses These pictures arrived in our office last week, sent by Mr. Vern Farrow. They may not seem all that spectacular at first glance, but they... Articles The Midwife and the Oysterman We are grateful to a student researcher, L.S., for bringing the Dixon family to our attention. We have gleaned much from archival... Articles Meet our 2023 History Makers This year’s return to the annual RVHS Founder’s Dinner and Auction was one of the best! We gathered on October 14th to honor founder Buzz... Oral Histories Jimi Hendrix at Sick's Stadium " On the afternoon of July 26, 1970, Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) headlines a concert at Seattle's venerable outdoor ballpark, Sicks'... Articles 37th Avenue, 1908: What’s Left? This 1908 photo of Columbia City was taken looking north along 37th Avenue from Dawson Street at the foot of Hitt’s Hill. It is a... Dismantling Racism Series Dismantling Racism: October 27, 2020 Presentation Watch a presentation on voting rights, voter suppression, and disenfranchisement that results from institutional racism and racist... Oral Histories Eugene Coleman: Oral History Abstract: Mr.Coleman discusses buying a house and growing up in Rainier Valley, working in an Alaskan cannery and leisure time activities... 1 2 3 4 5

Sun, Sep 15 | Wix Office MY EVENT This is a great place to get your guests excited by telling them a little more about this event. RSVP Time & Location Sep 15, 2024, 6:00 PM – Sep 16, 2024, 9:00 PM Wix Office, 500 Terry Francois Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 About the event Use this space to tell guests more about this event, e.g., event schedule, speakers, important info & more. To customize this text head to Manage Event > Event Details. This is a paragraph about your event. You can tell guests about the event history, background, types of participants and more. This is a great place to give guests plenty of additional information to get them excited to register. To customize this text head to Manage Event > Event Details. This is a paragraph about your event. You can tell guests about the event history, background, types of participants and more. This is a great place to give guests plenty of additional information to get them excited to register. To customize this text head to Manage Event > Event Details. Show More RSVP Share this event

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