‘Olympia: A People’s History’

THE OLYMPIAN | • Published November 24, 2009

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Although the city is celebrating its 150th birthday this year, Olympia is actually 159 years old.

“Olympia was formed as a community in 1850, and then in 1859, it was incorporated as a town with its own government,” said historian Drew Crooks, editor of the new book “Olympia: A People’s History.”

Crooks wrote two chapters about those early years for the book, which includes contributions from 26 local historians and writers. Contributors were invited to write about whatever interested them, and the result is not your typical history book.

The Olympia Historical Society is celebrating the book’s release with a reception and book signing Saturday. Many of the contributors will be on hand.

“History is a real diversity of events and things,” Crooks said, “and this book represents the voices of local historians expressing their knowledge and their interest to show that history really is alive.”

Some of the history is so recent that it’s been lived by the historians who chronicle it.

Take Lois Fenske, who wrote about South Puget Sound Community College’s history. She taught at the school for 30 years and in 2006 published a full book on the college’s history.

“The college only started in about 1962,” said Fenske, treasurer of the historical society. “I started teaching there in 1975.”

Among the other contributors is The Olympian’s environmental reporter and columnist John Dodge, who wrote a chapter on “Olympia’s Changing Shoreline,” including the creation of Capitol Lake. State Supreme Court Justice Gerry Alexander wrote about Olympia’s legal battles to remain the state capital.

“It surprised me how close we came at several different times to having the capital moved,” Crooks said.

The range of topics in the book is broad, from art history to women’s history, he said. “We tried to do it so there is a subject for everybody.”

What: The Olympia Historical Society celebrates the release of the new book, “Olympia: A People’s History,” edited by local historian Drew Crooks, with a book signing and reception.

When: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: State Capital Museum, 211 21st Ave. S.W., Olympia

Tickets: Free

More information: 360-357-5758 or www.olympiahistory.org