RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM Winter Volu me 48 December 2017 QUA RTER LY Number 4 SEWING MACHINE SERVICE: 75 Years And Counting by Barbara Horton ewing Machine Service is a small family-owned business THE EARLY DAYS that resides on the path to everywhere at 315 Main Street The property occupied by SMS today is one of fifteen properties Sin Renton. As people zip by, they may see the Seahawks of Block 15 that was originally platted in 1875 by Erasmus M. banners painted on the windows. They may enjoy the mural on Smithers, Thomas B. Morris, and Charles B. Shattuck. These the backs of the building that is updated from time to time. What plat block designations are still in use to this day. they may not realize is that Sewing Machine Service (SMS) is In the city’s earliest years Block 15 was home to many a serious destination that has offered services unlike any other hospitality establishments, including the Third Rail Saloon and operation in the Pacific Northwest. Few small businesses survive Restaurant on the site of today’s SMS.1 A Welshman named for 75 years, let alone maintaining operations in their original David Morgan Jones was the taxpayer on the property from location, in the original core of downtown Renton; Sewing 1905 through 1935. At some point this structure was torn Machine Service has the distinction of being one of those. Continued on page 5 Also In This Issue... Last chance to view Museum Report Fundraising Report: Collections Report A History Of Renton by Elizabeth P. History-Making by Sarah Samson, 2 in 75 Objects! 3 Stewart, Director. 4 Party 2017. 8 Curator. his is your last chance to relive poignant moments in Renton history illustrated From by 75 iconic artifacts and photographs from our collection! Curated by a team MAY Tof University of Washington Museology graduate students, A History of Renton 30 in 75 Objects brings some crowd favorites out of storage and back into the limelight. They are exhibited alongside newer acquisitions on display for the first time! Featured to stories include the Duwamish, coal mining, WWII, Longacres, Roxy Theatre, and JANUARY Triple XXX root beer. 20 NORMA LOU JONES WANTED! YOUR FAMILY'S (1925-2017) WWI STORIES Past Renton Historical the Seattle Mariners’ first In commemoration of Army—now we need the Society President Norma season ticket-holders, and the end of “The Great info to tell their stories. If Lou Jones passed away she was known among War,” the Museum is you have photos, objects, on August 28. As a Mariners’ fans as “The preparing a unique exhibit or other items relating Renton librarian and a Bell Lady” for vigorously about Rentonites on the to a Rentonite during Pied Piper Preschool ringing a cowbell during battlefront and the home WWI, please contact teacher, Norma Lou games. Thank you, front from 1917 to 1918, Curator Sarah Samson at exemplified the spirit Norma Lou, for all you and we need your family’s [email protected] or of the early Renton did for Renton history! stories! We know that 425.255.2330. Historical Society, a can- Renton men and women do group of educators served as nurses and determined to preserve soldiers, chased submarines the city’s history for in the Navy, cut timber in future generations. But the Spruce Squadron, built she also had a sense of ships in Bremerton, and fun. Norma Lou and her even returned to Europe husband Stan were among to volunteer in the Italian 2 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM QUA RTER LY Winter 2017 RENTON HISTORICAL QUARTERLY MUSEUM REPORT Sarah Samson Graphic Design & Layout Karl Hurst City of Renton Print & by Elizabeth P. Stewart, Mail Services Museum Director RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD usinesses and history: sometimes they seem to OF TRUSTEES inhabit two different worlds. Businesses strive to Alexis Madison, President be forward-looking and future-oriented, especially Betsy Prather, Vice President B Laura Clawson, Treasurer in a technological era. When global change is speeding up Antoin Johnson, Secretary exponentially, what business has time to look back at the past, Lynne King, 2019 even their own? Even nonprofits barely have time to collect Patricia Carroll, 2019 and document their own histories, never mind reflect on them. Colleen Lenahan, 2020 We recently hosted a fundraiser for Allied Arts Pete Kalasountas, 2020 of Renton, on the occasion of the publication of their Elizabeth Stewart, Board Liaison Elizabeth P. Stewart quinquagenary—50 years—history, Allied Arts of Renton: The First Fifty Years, 1964 - 2014. Local author Barb Director MUSEUM STAFF Nilson spent several years compiling the organization’s Elizabeth P. Stewart history, no easy task despite the fact that Allied Arts kept Museum Director Sarah Samson meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, photos, and other Curator of Collections & documents relating to its ongoing activities. The result is a Exhibitions comprehensive look at the activities and influence of one Kim Owens of the city’s most significant arts organizations, a key to Public Engagement Coordinator understanding Renton’s cultural landscape. Nezy Tewolde Similarly, our feature this month traces the history of Office Aide a longstanding Renton business, Sewing Machine Service. Allied Arts of Renton's 50 years. RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM Using oral history interviews and newspaper research, guest 235 MILL AVENUE S writer Barb Horton traces the development of a local service RENTON, WA 98057 with a regional reach, one that has been affected by global developments in the economy. Barb’s research demonstrates P (425) 255-2330 that, no matter what came along, Sewing Machine Service HOURS: rolled with the punches, regrouped, and kept on sewing. This Tuesday - Saturday glimpse inside one Renton establishment reminds us that 10:00am - 4:00pm commerce affects local people—as customers, suppliers, workers, and business owners—and that we are all subject to ADMISSION: $5 (Adult) the larger forces of history, for better or for worse. $2 (Child) National and international debates about taxes, Renton businesses are a immigration, the minimum wage, and trade agreements have microcosm of the effects of real impacts on Renton people; that is undoubtedly why they larger economic forces. are so hotly contested. But sometimes our inability to look (RHM# 1991.007.9275) back and learn from the past, whether we’re too busy or don’t have the information at hand, means we’re making decisions without crucial information. Sewing Machine Service was as affected by the opening of new opportunities for women as they were by NAFTA, but does that mean that we should have resisted both? These are historical issues worth thinking about and learning from. One of the strengths of the Renton History Museum is that we are able to examine the effects of these large historical forces on local people and organizations. In fact, that’s the nature of our business: to ensure that local stories are being captured and told, for the greater understanding of all of us. WINTER QUARTERLY, 2017 | 3 UPCOMING EVENTS FUNDRAISING REPORT n October 17, 2017, the Renton Historical Society held our ninth annual dinner auction, a History- Making Party, at the Renton Senior Activity Center. EMERALD STREET: RACE, O With 110 guests in attendance, we hosted an evening CLASS, CULTURE, AND THE HISTORY OF HIP HOP celebrating Renton’s history of innovation and creation and IN THE NORTHWEST” the Renton History Museum’s role in preserving that history. February 24 As an event, it was a relaxed opportunity for Renton’s 11:00 am-12:00 pm history-minded people to renew their ties; as a fundraiser, it Led by author and professor City Councilmember Ryan Daudi Abe, discover the was our very best ever! McIrvin handles Dessert Dash history behind not only the The members of the Board of Trustees work for duty for his table. Northwest’s Grammy-winning months to make these events unique and fun, with the rappers, but its world champion support of tens of businesses and donors from around the break dance crew, its world- Renton area. A special shout-out goes to trustees Lynne renowned clothing designers, the grassroots organizations King and Patricia Carroll, who expertly headed up the dedicated to community service Events Committee. Aunt Dottie and her nephew Aaron and education, and more! provided stellar entertainment, as guests looked over the silent auction items and had a delicious dinner prepared by Nola’s Boutique Events. Special thanks to the staff of the Renton Senior Activity Center and Service Linen Supply for A raffle winner celebrates! their annual donation of linens. As always, students from the Renton Youth Council and Hazen High School DECA kept HEAR MY VOICE BY LIVING VOICES the event moving smoothly. March 3 The Dessert Dash was a big winner this year, 11:00 am-12:00 pm earning 60% more than last year’s desserts. Raise the Paddle How long was the fight for donors were also feeling generous; we earned 75% more women’s suffrage? Join the 72 year battle that won half this year in pledges and donations than in 2016. Donations of America’s citizens the from the silent auction—featuring beautiful donated baskets right to vote. Follow the story and creative upcycled furniture items—also surpassed 2016. of a young woman and her The result was a record-breaking $12,355 in Renton Youth Council provided personal struggle between the funds to support the Renton History Museum’s mission to excellent dinner service to the expectations of her family event's guests. and her dreams. document, preserve, and educate about our city’s history. These funds cover the cost of two temporary exhibits, or nineteen weeks of staff salary, or our speaker fees for an entire year.