It is impossible to overstate the importance of Ethel Van Fleet Harris to Skagit Valley and Sedro-Woolley-area history. Following in the inkwell of her mother, this daughter of the first family to homestead in the Skiyou area spent fifty years researching, recording and communicating our history. One of her most important legacies is her typewritten manuscript of the diaries of Otto Klement (the father of Lyman), which was one of the most vital documents we discovered when we started this project 18 years ago.

Women Prevail       This week, HistoryLink.org travels back to a century ago and looks at the Women's Club Movement in Washington, beginning with the Woman's Club of Olympia founded on March 10, 1883, which is credited as the first association of its kind in the state. The organization dedicated itself to charitable efforts, self-improvement, and civic reform, as did the many women's clubs that followed.
      Many early clubs focused on the need for public libraries. Beginning in 1894, the Everett Woman's Book Club -- seen above -- helped establish what would become the Everett Public Library. Similar groups in Seattle, Walla Walla, and other cities did the same.
      In Seattle, groups of women helped to create hospitals, raise money for the needy, buy and sell real estate, foster cultural and intellectual development, and help women toward self-support. Most women's clubs got their start in the state's largest cities, and in 1896, the Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs was formed to provide assistance to clubs throughout the state.
      The women's club movement provided a stronger voice for women through great strength in numbers. By the early twentieth century, many clubs shifted their efforts towards lobbying, and pushed for more government involvement in women's working conditions and other social needs. But the strongest influence women's groups had on the political landscape was in support of woman suffrage. [Much more at the link in the headline.]

Joel Brock, accomplished Northwest painter and pastel artist, worked in his studio space at 109 Commercial in La Conner for 10 years. He is returning to this space, now the home of Gallery Cygnus, in March showing new work as well as work in themes he created during that ten years. Opening Celebration for this show is on March 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. and continues through March 28. Gallery Cygnus is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is about a half block up the hill from the main street, on the north side of the street, cater-cornered from the 1869 Anderson Cabin and the old Bank of LaConner, and across the street from Maple Hall.

Any time, any amount, please help build our travel and research fund for what promises to be a very busy 2010, traveling to mine resources from California to Washington and maybe beyond. Depth of research determined by the level of aid from readers. And subscriptions to our optional Subscribers Online Magazine (launched 2001) by donation too. Thank you. Thank you.

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See this Journal Timeline website of local, state, national, international events for years of the pioneer period. Did you enjoy this story? Remember, as with all our features, this story is a draft and will evolve as we discover more information and photos. This process continues until we eventually compile a book about Northwest history. Can you help? Remember; we welcome correction & criticism. Please report any broken links or files that do not open and we will send you the correct link. With more than 550 features, we depend on your report. Thank you. Read about how you can order CDs that include our photo features from the first five years of our Subscribers Edition. Perfect for gifts. You can click the donation button to contribute to the rising costs of this site. You can also subscribe to our optional Subscribers-Paid Journal magazine online, which has entered its ninth year with exclusive stories, in-depth research and photos that are shared with our subscribers first. You can go here to read the preview edition to see examples of our in-depth research or read how and why to subscribe. You can read the history websites about our prime sponsors Would you like information about how to join them in advertising? Our newest sponsor: Cygnus Gallery, 109 Commercial St., half-block uphill from Main Street, LaConner. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 p.m., featuring new monthly shows with many artists, many local. Across the street from Maple Hall, 1886 Bank Building and Marcus Anderson's 1969 historic cabin. Their website will be up in early 2010. Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop at 817 Metcalf Street in downtown Sedro-Woolley, 88 years. Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop at 817 Metcalf Street in downtown Sedro-Woolley, 88 years. Peace and quiet at the Alpine RV Park, just north of Marblemount on Hwy 20, day, week or month, perfect for hunting or fishing Park your RV or pitch a tent by the Skagit River, just a short drive from Winthrop or Sedro-Woolley Joy's Sedro-Woolley Bakery-Cafe at 823 Metcalf Street in downtown Sedro-Woolley. Check out Sedro-Woolley First section for links to all stories and reasons to shop here first or make this your destination on your visit or vacation. Are you looking to buy or sell a historic property, business or residence? We may be able to assist. Email us for details.

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