The Redmond Recorder

REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 2017 VOL. 17 NO. 2

Every town has a history. Discover ours.

Saturday Speaker Series

A Look to the Past: Kirkland
Saturday, February 11, 2017
10:30am noon (Doors open 10:00)
Redmond Historical Society Speaker Series
Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center
s 16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA.
$5 suggested donation for non-members
Speakers subject to change.
For details: www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org.

The Saturday Speaker Series builders, WWII Rosie-the-riveters,

resumes on February 11, 2017, and finally, the suburbanites of
with A Look to the Past: Kirkland. post-WWII. Author Matt McCauley
Matthew W. McCauley, a Kirkland will give an overview of Kirklands
native and author of a popular unique story, drawing on his
column, A Look to the Past, popular newspaper column
published in the Kirkland and images from the Kirkland
Courier, the predecessor of the Historical Foundation.
Kirkland Reporter. He is the
author of a book by the same
title. Kirklands past reads like a
great western novel, peopled by
pioneer settlers, land speculators,
loggers, stump ranchers, land
developers, steam boatmen, boat

The Saturday Speakers Series is also posted on our

Redmond Historical Society Facebook page. Please
invite your friends to this fun and educational event.

Every town has a history. Discover ours. February 2017

 2017
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Joe Townsend President
Mary I. Hanson Senior Vice President
John Oftebro Vice President Finance
Crystal Rojas Mora Vice President
Collections
Vacant Secretary
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Judith Simpson
Steve Johnson
Sharon Brocker
Indira Krishnaswami
Hank Myers
Debra Pelletier
MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION
AND ARCHIVES Halee Turner
ATTORNEY Charles Diesen
Our finances are public record and may
be viewed at the office.
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redmondhistoricalsociety.org
Society News
New Business
Member
HyGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a
leading independent wholesaler
of prescription and specialty
pharmaceuticals located in Redmond,
Washington. The company was founded
in 1993 with the goal of becoming
trusted partner to independent
pharmacies, long term care facilities and
mail order pharmacies across the nation.
Walking Tour
Sunday, April 9, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
There is a suggested donation of $10
for each person. You can pre-register
for the event or ask questions by calling
our office at 425.885.2919. You can also
drop by our office, or mail in a check to
16600 NE 80th St. Room 106, Redmond,
WA, 98052.
Tours include a significant amount
of walking and standing, with limited
opportunity for resting. We recommend
comfortable shoes and weather appro-
priate clothing. Tour begins across the
street from the Hotel Redmond (Jensen/
Fey Architects) at 7730 NE 76th St.

PHONE 425.885.2919
WEBSITE redmondhistoricalsociety.org
EMAIL info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org
HOURS Monday through Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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.

February 2017 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

 Presidents Notebook
Redmond Historical Society
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2016 - By Joe Townsend
Redmond Historical Society
completed an active and rewarding
year. Thank you to our staff, Board,
and volunteers.
Notably:
Provided public access to the Societys
2016 Public Programs, including Saturday
Speaker Series heritage programs. We
enjoyed a total attendance of nearly 990
people. The highlight was Redmonds
Poultry Past: From Family Farms to Global
Tables, in September. This was the
culmination of a major historical research
project, funded by a 4Culture Heritage
Projects grant coupled with considerable
volunteer time.
Gave historical and informational
presentations to two service clubs,
one retirement center, and a business
networking group, by our Speakers Bureau.
Conducted four historical Walking Tours in
Old Town Redmond.
Published the fully revised, full-color, 3rd
edition of the Historic Downtown Redmond
Walking Guide booklet, with financial
support from Microsoft.
Our Governance Committee continued
self-assessment under the StEPs guidelines
(Standards and Excellence Program for
History Organizations. Read more in the
March 2016 Newsletter). We applied for and
received Bronze and Silver certificates in
Audience, Management and Mission, Vision
and Governance, and Bronze certificates in
Interpretation.
Briefly:
Gained new Board Members who can
help build the Society and strengthen
relationships in the community.
Built our membership to a total of 270
people, including Lifetime Members.
Every town has a history. Discover ours. February 2017
Met with the Parks and Recreation
Department and Lake Washington School
District on the future of the Old Redmond
Schoolhouse/Community Center and the
Societys space in the building. As a part of
this effort, set up a Facilities Task Force to
help ensure we have a home in the future.
Completed a multi-year project to design,
install, and dedicate a commemorative
plaque for our principal Founder, Naomi J.
Hardy, at Redmonds OLeary Park.
Delivered a major presentation to the City
Planning Department on how we would
use the Justice White House for a historical
museum and offices. While that project did
not come to fruition, we have a plan for
future reference.
Engaged a consultant to help plan a
fundraising program, and activated a
Philanthropy Task Force to carry out that
plan.
Worked with Microsoft consultants on a
Technology Assessment and Planning
project to create an action plan for an
improved and more secure website, and
other technology needs.
Hosted a formal Digging Deeper visit from
Historic Seattle to showcase our collections
and provide tours of our facility.
Joined OneRedmond as a Nonprofit
Member to strengthen our engagement
with the business community.
Began working on a strategic partnership
with the Redmond Kiwanis Club.
And finally, we said goodbye to our former
staff members, Laura Lee Bennett and
Jlean McDonald and gave Halee Turner a
new job title: Manager, Administration and
Archives. We wish Jlean and Laura Lee well
as they move on to new chapters in their
lives.
 Society News

Society Celebrates Members at

First Annual Meeting - By Laura Lee Bennett
On Saturday, January 14, the Redmond Historical
Society held its first annual membership
celebration at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse
Community Center. President Joe Townsend
outlined the Societys 2017 Action Plan, setting
the top priorities: identify potential sites for
Society facilities; philanthropy and fundraising;
collections; programs; membership growth; and
IT infrastructure and website.
VP of Finance John Oftebro presented the Deputy Parks Director
Rachel Van Winkle
Societys financial report for 2016-2017, and asked for feedback on
considered ways to increase revenue, through Redmonds Community
membership, grants and general fundraising. Centers
Philanthropy Chair Debra Pelletier outlined
what the future might look like, suggesting an
annual fundraising event, donor solicitation, a
major gifting program, planned giving, and a
membership campaign.
Throughout the presentations, it became clear
that the highest priority is finding a new facility
for the Society and its collections work, archives,
office space, and artifacts.
As a thank you to members and volunteers, New Lifetime member
Subhadra Terhanian
attendees received a gift bag and a 2017 holds up her certificate
calendar, highlighting photos from the Society
archives. Attendees also received a member
satisfaction survey and a list of volunteer
opportunities, from open Board positions to
coffee setup for the Saturday Speaker Series.
The Society welcomed three new Lifetime
Members: Betty L. Emmanuel, Sharon Freeman
Ballistry, and Subhadra Terhanian.President
Townsend also welcomed new Business Member,
Nishit Mehta, CEO of HyGen Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. He also recognized two retiring board New Lifetime member
Sharon Freeman Ballistry

February 2017 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

 Society News
members: Ed OBrien,
VP Finance, and
Deborah Harvard,
Secretary. The keynote
speaker was Deputy
Parks Director Rachel
Van Winkle, who
addressed the plight of
Redmonds community
centers. Four of these
facilitiesOld Redmond President Joe Townsend presents certificate
Schoolhouse Community to retiring Secretary Deborah Harvard
Center, Old Firehouse
Teen Center, Redmond
Senior Center, and
Hartman Poolare
aging and in need of
repairs. What activities
and services should be
offered? Which is better,
one combined center or
multiple centers around
Membership Committee volunteers
the city? Linda McCrystal and Bill McKenzie
To learn more, visit
www.redmonds
communitycenters.com.

New Board Members: Philanthropy Chair

Debra Pelletier, VP Finance John Oftebro

The "Price Check Game,"

Membership Chair based on grocery ads
and Emcee Steve from the Societys
Johnson with Nishit Sammamish Valley
Mehta, CEO of HyGen News archive, was
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. an entertaining group
HyGen recently became activity. Photo: Cheryl
a Business Member Magnuson

Every town has a history. Discover ours. February 2017

 Local History
An Unrecorded Redmond Plat
By Tom Hitzroth
One of the truly exciting things
about historic investigations is
when one finds something unique
and unexpected that leads to
new knowledge and in this case
a better understanding of how
Redmond was laid out at the end
of the nineteenth century and the
beginning of the twentieth.
The unique finding is the actual
deed between William Sikes and
Luke and Kate McRedmond, with
their original signatures, for land in
what is now downtown Redmond.
The unexpected was that the deed
stated as platted in the Town of
Redmond State of Washington is
dated February 1, 1890. Since Luke
did not file the Redmond Plat until
March 28, 1891, and the county
does not have a record of an earlier
plat, it became evident that Luke
McRedmond was using a plat he
had designed but never recorded.
The understanding is that Lukes
initial plan for downtown Redmond
can now be identified.
Sikes Collection, Eastside Heritage Center
February 2017 Every town has a history. Discover ours.
Searching Lukes land transactions
between June 22, 1887, when he
deeded the Right of Way to the
Seattle, Lakeshore, and Eastern
Railroad and April 11, 1895, when
he liquidated his land holdings, I
found he had sold nearly all the lots
in what became the 1891 Redmond
Plat between January 6, 1889 and
November 28, 1890. This suggested
the unrecorded plat could be dated
to at least 1888. The deed between
McRedmond and Sikes in January 6,
1889 indicates that some lots in the
unrecorded plat were originally larger
than in the final 1891 Redmond Plat.
The land Sikes purchased February
1, 1890 would become Sikes 2nd
Addition in 1906. In 1892, Sikes
purchased the remaining unsold
lots in the Redmond Plat and this
became Sikes 1st Addition in 1897.
Sikes resurveyed his 1890 and
1892 acquisitions reworking and/
or overlapping some blocks and
lots to devise the plats we know
today. The challenge for me was
in working out the sequence of the
 Local History

changes in how the three plats understanding of how this part of

were finalized to create the present Redmond came to be what it is
plan of the downtown. Now that I today.
know how they did it I have a better

Sikes Collection, Eastside Heritage Center

Every town has a history. Discover ours. February 2017

 Society News

2017 Philanthropy Action Plan

By Debra Pelletier

As the year begins, in this first quarter we

will focus our efforts on building a strong
foundation of teams and a task force to help
facilitate a stream of ongoing fundraising
efforts. We are looking at ways to manage
these efforts making them more attractive
for members to volunteer. The Philanthropy
Committee guarantees that you have
something to offer to help the process move
along. Its time to make a difference with Debra Pelletier
baby steps! Jump on board with us and lets
have some fun!

Cant do this without help...we need YOU!

Several people identified wanting to help on the survey.
Now is your time to select what you want to do.

What are your interests? We need people...

3 Are you connect with the 3 connected
business community? 3 with influence
3 Do you know a lot of people who 3 to help with research of grants
feel connected with Redmond? and foundations
3 Do you like to research? 3 who can help put grant
3 Do you like to write? applications together
3 Do you like to manage things? 3 to manage grants we are
3 Do you like planning or working awarded
on events? 3 to work on fundraising events
3 Do you like to make phone calls? 3 to help on giving campaigns

Contact us at 425-885-2919 or info@RedmondHistoricalSociety.org

for questions or to get involved!

February 2017 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

 Order
Now
Redmond
Reflections Book
$15 (INCLUDES TAX)*

SHIPPING & HANDLING: Please add $5.00 shipping & handling surcharge
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 2.)

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
This painting of Marymoor Park, Flying Kites at the Clise
OUR TOWN Mansion, is the work of fine artist Patti Simpson Ward.
History of Redmond by Nancy Way Visit her website to see more images of Eastside settings
pattisimpsonward.com.
VIEW OF HISTORY DVD

Every town has a history. Discover ours. February 2017

 Society News

Huge Historic Thank Yous

Many thanks to our First Annual Membership Celebration
Volunteers for their generous donation of their time and effort to
ensure a smooth program day.
Coffee Judy Lang
Room set up Tom Hansen
Student volunteers Allegra Novalkoski and Tasia Meyer
AV John Gustaveson
Registration Linda McCrystal, Bill McKenzie, Judy Lang
and Tom Hansen
Event planning Laura Lee Bennett, Steve Johnson,
Mary Hanson, Halee Turner and
Judith Simpson

Our Society Lifetime Members

Sharon Freeman, Ballistry Allen Lang Dick Shinstrom
Brad Best Judy Aries Lang Frederick Springsteel
Pierre Bruneau Miguel Angel Llanos Beryl Standley
Marjorie Costello Jon M. Magnussen John C. Stilin
John Couch Dorothy Matsui Sherry B. Stilin
Cory de Jong Allison Francis Reed Fred Stray
Betty L. Emmanuel Morris Larry O. Sundholm
Tony Emmanuel Edward OBrien Subhadra Terhanian
Frank Garbarino John Oftebro Doris Townsend
Evelyn Grace Gilbert Roxana Phillips Joe Townsend
Madeleine Roberts Hagen Dale Potter Roger Trepanier
Wayne Hansen Jo Ann Potter Arlyn Bjerke Vallene
Mary Hanson Bobbie Graep Rettig Patti Simpson Ward
Jerry Hardy Vivian Robinson Donald Glennister Watts
Chris Himes Laurie M. Rockenbeck Joanne Westlund
Rosemarie Ives Margy U. Rockenbeck James Windle
Patricia Weiss Jovag William Rockenbeck
Barbara Weiss Joyce Doris Bauer Schaible

A full listing of lifetime members, both current and in memoriam,

is available at redmondhistoricalsociety.org

February 2017 Every town has a history. Discover ours.

 Membership

Join
Redmond Historical 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 _____ TRAILBLAZER (Student)
$25.00 _____ PIONEER (Individual)
$40.00 _____ HOMESTEADER (Family)
$200.00 _____ ENTREPRENEUR (Supporter)
$250.00 _____ CORPORATE (Business)

$1,000.00 _____ 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
ORSCC, Room 106
Renew
16600 NE 80th Street Now!
Redmond, WA 98052
MEMBERSHIP (CIRCLE ONE): NEW RENEWING

NAME

If FAMILY MEMBERSHIP, OTHER NAMES TO BE INCLUDED

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NEWSLETTER DELIVERY (CHECK ONE): _______ EMAIL ________ U.S. MAIL

Every town has a history. Discover ours. February 2017

 February 2017 Every town has a history. Discover ours.
Redmond Historical Society
16600 NE 80th Street, Room 106
Redmond, WA 98052
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