The Redmond Recorder

REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

May 2016 VOL. 18 NO. 5

Every town has a history. Discover ours.

UpcomingSaturday Speaker Series

Saturday, May 14, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center
16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA

Ben Franklin Crafts & Frames:

The History of Redmonds Iconic Store

Ben Franklin Founders Bob and Shirley Ferguson, 1976; newspaper ad.

Bob and Shirley Ferguson began their Ben Franklin Variety

store on May 29, 1975 with five employees. Today it has evolved
into a highly successful modern-era craft and frame store with over
eighty people on staff including their sons who are now leading
the company. Join Bob and Shirley as they share the story of their
business and recollections of Redmond over the years. Story on
page 4.
Every town has a history. Discover ours. May 2016

2016

Society News

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Joe Townsend President

Mary I. Hanson Senior Vice President
Ed Dint OBrien Vice President Finance
Crystal Rojas Mora Vice President
Collections
Deborah Harvard Secretary

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Judith Simpson
Steve Johnson
Sharon Brocker
Indira Krishnaswami

COLLECTIONS MANAGER Jlean

McDonald

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

Laura Lee Bennett

ATTORNEY Charles Diesen
Our finances are public record and may
be viewed at the office.

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Call the office at 425.885.2919 or email
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THE REDMOND RECORDER

is published nine times annually.
Laura Lee Bennett Editor
Jeanne Gustafson Layout
redmondhistoricalsociety.org

Please welcome Teri

Villareal, new Program Chair,
and Arunitad Dutta, new
Marketing Chair for the Saturday
Speaker Series program.
There will be a dedication
ceremony for the Naomi Hardy
Clock Tower, at OLeary Park,
Saturday, May 21, 10:30-11:00
am. Stay tuned for more details
on the Society website.
Tribute to Nao Hardy by
Miguel Llanos on page 6.
Thanks to the following
volunteers who moved artifacts
displayed in Bill Browns Garage:
Marge and Roy Hanson; Gene
Magnuson; Greg Haslam and
Eric Becker; Joe Townsend,
Board President; Crystal Rojas
Mora, V.P. Collections, and Jlean
McDonald, Collections Manager.
The next Walking Tour will be
led by Tom Hitzroth on May 8,
more info on page 8.
Reminder: Annual Society
Picnic on Saturday, June 11.
Perrigo Park. More info on
page 7.
Reminder: No Saturday
Speaker Series program in June.

PHONE

425.885.2919

EMAIL

info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and by appointment

WEB SITE redmondhistoricalsociety.org

HOURS

Members, member families, friends, if you have

questions about buying or selling a home, contact
Bliss Ong at Coldwell Banker Bain: 425.881.3200.
Redmond Historical Society has entered into a
community partnership with Bliss Ong.

May 2016 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

Presidents
Notebook

Let Your Voice Be Heard:

Preserving the St. Edward Seminary
The Washington Parks
& Recreation Commission is
facing a decision on a land
swap with a developer who
has proposed investing $50
million to bring the Saint
Edward Seminary Building
back to life as a national
St. Edward Seminary, Kenmore, Washington.
parkstyle hotel and spa.
Photo courtesy of Washington Trust for
The property is currently a
Historical Preservation
Washington State Park, east
of Lake Washington.
The Saint Edward Seminary Building in Kenmore dates to 1931, when
it opened as a boys school and seminary. The property was sold to the
State of Washington for use as a park in 1977. The building was placed on
the Washington State Heritage Register in 1997, and in 2007, it was placed
on the National Register of Historic Places.
The park, the proposed restoration, and the community controversy
were well documented in a Seattle Times article on January 31, 2016:
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/saint-edward-parkcaught-in-emotional-tug-of-war/
The developer, Kevin Daniels of Daniels Real Estate, has twice won
the National Preservation Award for restoration of Seattles Union Station
and the Cadillac Hotel in Pioneer Square.
This is the fourth redevelopment proposal in recent years, and likely
the last. The project literally will save the seminary building, which has been
allowed to deteriorate almost to the point of ruin despite its listing on the
National Register of Historical Places.
A decision on a proposed land trade, adding more shoreline acreage to
the park in exchange for the property on which the building sits, is expected
this summer after an environmental review.
The Kenmore Heritage Society is asking interested persons to send
a letter to the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission, PO Box
42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, or email: Commission@parks.wa.gov.
Also, there is a petition in support of this project at www.change.org.
(At the top of the home page, find the search command and enter
Kenmore seminary.)

~Joe Townsend, Redmond Historical Society President

Every town has a history. Discover ours. May 2016

Saturday
Speaker
Series

Ben Franklin Crafts

and Frames: The History
of Redmonds Iconic Store

Bob and Shirley Ferguson

began their Ben Franklin Variety
store on May 29, 1975 with five
employees. Today it is a Redmond
icon, having evolved and grown
into a highly successful modern
era craft and frame store with over
eighty people on staff including
second generation sons Neil
Bob and Shirley Ferguson
and David Ferguson leading the
company. Join long time Redmond Owners, Ben Franklin Crafts and
Frames
residents and owners, Bob and
Shirley Ferguson, as they share
the story of their business and the many challenges they have faced.
They will also share recollections of the city and how it has grown and
changed.
We sold a little bit of everything, says Shirley, most of which we
no longer carry! Some of these items include Folgers Coffee, Pampers,
cases of Coca Cola, stationary, pantyhose, Aqua Net hair spray, and
motor oil. We also had a key-making machine, a bath shop, and even
a popcorn machine! A few items that we sold in the beginning that we
currently still have are Elmers Glue, Coats & Clark Thread, Super Saver
Yarn, and Crayola Crayons, she adds. Out of some 45,000 plus items
we currently merchandise, fewer than 1,000 of those items were in
inventory in 1975.
Relax over a cup of coffee at the Redmond Historical Society
Saturday Speaker Series, a monthly program from September to May
that features eight speakers addressing topics of local, state and Pacific
Northwest historical interest. (No program in December). The series is
held 10:30am noon at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community
Center, 16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA. Doors open at 10:00 am.
$5 suggested donation for non-members. Speakers subject to change.
For details: www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org.

May 2016 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

Society Seeks
Development Manager

Society
News

The Redmond Historical Society seeks a Development

Manager. The volunteer Development Manager is a member of the
Redmond Historical Societys leadership, reporting to V.P. Finance.
The Development Manager is responsible for leading the Societys
fundraising program as adopted by the Board of Directors.
Skills
Works with the Fundraising Committee of the Board of
Directors and Executive Director to develop strategies to initiate
and meet fundraising goals
Designs, implements and manages fundraising activities
Donor cultivation, solicitation, and relations
Develops and implements community and member-based
fundraising programs
Develops a comprehensive planned-giving program
Coordinates donor and gift recordkeeping
Coordinates development research activities
Requirements and Commitment
Must be at least 21 years of age
Able to commit to 5-6 hours/week
Fundraising experience very helpful
To apply, email info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org, or stop by
the office in Room #106, or call the office, 425-885-2919, and fill
out a Volunteer application.

Renew Your Membership

If you have already renewed your membership for 2016 or are

a Lifetime Member, wed like to thank you again. If not, now is the
time to renew your membership. You can also fund a membership
as a gift for someone special. See page 11 for details.

Every town has a history. Discover ours. May 2016

Local
History

Tribute to Naomi Hardy,

Founder
By Miguel Llanos

Peopletheir childhoods, family ties,

friendships, foibles and contributionswere
at the heart of Naomi Hardys passion for
Redmond history. While she only moved
to Redmond with her husband, Jerry, in
1970, Naomi truly was Redmonds favorite
daughter. And so it is only fitting that the
history kiosk at OLeary Park is being
rededicated this month as the Naomi Hardy
Clock Tower.
Until she convinced a few like-minded
local history buffs to start the Redmond
Historical Society in May 1999, no one
had made researching and sharing our
Naomi Hardy in 1991
towns history a long-term mission. Nao
(as she liked to be called) recruited then Mayor Rosemarie Ives as well
as several Perrigos and McRedmonds, Redmonds founding families,
organized oral histories, and started the societys newsletter.
In 2000, the Redmond Chamber of Commerce recognized Nao as
Citizen of the Year, and a growing membership led to ever-larger meeting
rooms.Within a few years, Nao had amassed a huge whos who file
and knew it by heart. It allowed her to become a masterful and accurate
storyteller, connecting the dots of local history and often making it oh so
humorous. Nao was in her element when hosting the monthly member
meetings, asking new members and visitors to introduce themselves and
quickly injecting fun facts about their connections to Redmond.
To me every member is a gift, Nao wrote in one of the first
newsletters, bringing old memories and new perspectives to the Society.
Naos other contributions included writing the book Redmond
Reflections and, up until her death in January 2012, Nao kept
researching. Today her legacy is alive and well in the form of a thriving
Redmond Historical Society.
Nao certainly knew her dates and places, but what made her so
passionate, and so fun to be around, was that she knew her people. And
for that, Redmond should forever be grateful.
Editors Note: Tom Hitzroths column will return in the next issue of
The Redmond Recorder.

May 2016 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

Annual Picnic June 11

in Perrigo Park

Society
News

Join us at the Annual Society

Picnic in Perrigo Park! Thats right,
the picnic is at Perrigo Park this
year. We will enjoy more room,
and have electricity and water
available. All are invited, and well
have great entertainment. Well
also use this occasion to honor
our annual History Hero award
recipients. More details to come in
the June newsletter.
Perrigo Park
Saturday, June 11
Address: 9011 196 Avenue NE, Redmond
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
More park info: http://redmond.gov/cms/one.
aspx?portalId=169&pageId=4038
Questions? Contact the Redmond Historical Society office, email
info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org, or call the office, 425-885-2919.

Recollections
Editors Note: These comments were written in response to Jeanne
Gustafsons presentation on the History of the Sammamish Valley
News, at the Saturday Speaker Series program on February 13, 2016.

Working for Bob Bailey at Sammamish Valley News

I worked for Bob about two weeks in the early Fall of 1959.
It seemed everybody subscribed to the SVN as local identity and
community support.Bucky White and Clayton Ogdon were regular teen
employees.
Bob knew a lot of people and was always looking for stories. He
covered Lake Washington High School activities focusing on young
Redmond contributors.
He once said that he spent more than one morning watching the sun
come up to get the paper out.
Tom Hansen
Every town has a history. Discover ours. May 2016

Society
News

Next Walking Tour

on May 8th

The Justice White House (formerly Hotel Redmond), then and now

Redmond Historical Society continues to offer the 2016 Walking Tour,

led by local historian Tom Hitzroth. There is a suggested donation of $10
for each person.
Note that the tour may be cancelled in the event of rain, so be sure to
call the Society office (425.885.2919) by 10 a.m. the morning of the tour
for any cancellation notices.
2016 Walking Tour Schedule
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Sunday, September 11, 2016
The tour starts at Redmond Connector across NE 76th St. from the
Justice White House at 7730 Leary Way. Duration: The tour runs from
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
For more information, and to pre-register via PayPal, visit our website:
www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org. On the Events menu, select Walking
Tours.
Cant make the tour?

The Redmond Historical Society

Walking Tour Mobile App is available
through the Windows, Android, and
Apple App stores. More info: http://
mytoursapp.com/our-apps/redmondwalking-tour/

May 2016 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

Order
Now

Redmond
Reflections

$10

(INCLUDES TAX)*

SHIPPING & HANDLING: Please add $5.00 shipping & handling

surchage

for any order that you would like mailed.

ORDERING INFO*:
NAME____________________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER_____________________
# OF BOOKS ORDERED_______ AMOUNT ENCLOSED (CHECK PLEASE) _$_____________________________

SHIPPING INFO:
NAME _______________________________________________________________________________________
STREET ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________________
CITY STATE ZIP _____________________________________________________________________________

NOTE:

REDMOND REFLECTIONS is also available at the RHS OFFICE at the Old

Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. (Hours of operation on page 12.)

Great Gift Ideas for History Lovers

Need something special for someone
who appreciates our history? These
are available at our Society office:

GREETING CARDS, MAGNETS

& NOTE CARDS
featuring artwork by local artists:
PATTI SIMPSON WARD
DORISJEAN COLVIN
PAT DUGAN
OUR TOWN
History of Redmond by Nancy Way

VIEW OF HISTORY DVD

This painting of Marymoor Park, Flying Kites at the Clise

Mansion, is the work of fine artist Patti Simpson Ward.
Visit her website to see more images of Eastside settings
pattisimpsonward.com.

Every town has a history. Discover ours. May 2016

Society
News

Saturday Speaker Series

Volunteers
Press ReleaseMiguel Llanos
AV equipmentDavid Rossiter
CoffeeBeryl Standley
GreetersSuzanne Hall and Virginia Pickett
Setup CoordinatorTom Hansen
Room Set-up/Clean-upStephen Nickel, student
Redmond High School Key ClubAaron Ong
RefreshmentsBliss Ong and Judy Lang
MembershipBill McKenzie and Linda McCrystal
Membership and Book SalesIndira Krishnaswami

Our Society Lifetime Members

Ray Adams
Eric Anderson
John Anderson
Barbara Neal Beeson
Brad Best
Pierre Bruneau
Marjorie Stensland
Costello
John Couch
Liz Carlson Coward
Tony Emmanuel
Frank Garbarino
Evelyn Grace Gilbert
Edward L. Hagen
Tom Hall
Lucille B. HansenBellings
Wayne Hansen
Jerry Hardy
Naomi Hardy
Chris Himes
Rosemarie Ives
Cory de Jong
Madeleine Roberts Hagen

10

Mary Hanson
Patricia Weiss Jovag
Barbara Weiss Joyce
Glenn Lampaert
Roy Lampaert
Allen Lang
Judy Aries Lang
Miguel Llanos
Jon Magnussen
Clare Amo Marr
Daryl Martin
Allison Reed Morris
John Phillips
Roxie Phillips
Dale Potter
Jo Ann Potter
Charles Reed
Frances Spray Reed
Bobbie Graep Rettig
Vivian Robinson
Laurie Rockenbeck

Vivian Robinson
Margy Rockenbeck
William Rockenbeck
Richard Shinstrom
Beryl Standley
John Stilin
Sherry Stilin
Fred Springsteel
Fred Stray
Doris Bauer Schaible
Herb Swanson
Doris Townsend
Joe Townsend
Roger Trepanier
Arlyn Vallene
Patti Simpson Ward
Don Watts
Rose Weiss
Joanne Westlund
Margaret Evers Wiese
James Windle

May 2016 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

Membership
Join
RedmondHistorical Society
Every town has a history. Discover ours.
CONSIDER A GIFT MEMBERSHIP FOR A FAVORITE HISTORY BUFF.

LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP (Check one only.)

$5.00

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$1,000.00

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CORPORATE (Business)
HISTORY MAKER (Lifetime)

ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Fill out the form below, cut out and mail with your check to:

Redmond Historical Society

Attn: Membership

Renew Now!

ORSCC, Room 106

16600 NE 80th Street
Redmond, WA 98052

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Every town has a history. Discover ours. May 2016

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11

Redmond Historical Society

16600 NE 80th Street, Room 106
Redmond, WA 98052

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May 2016 Every town has a history. Discover ours.