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Humanities

Winter 2023

Building a Queer archive

With the Queering the Archives Initiative moving into its second year, Josie Cohen-Rodriguez and Lotus Norton-Wisla are focusing on building a student-centered and community-driven LGBTQ+ archive in the Washington State University Libraries.

“We want to build a broad coalition of folks who are vested in this archive and taking a sense of collaborative ownership,” Cohen-Rodriguez said. “That’s very empowering.”

Other archives in the Pacific Northwest are taking this approach, and Cohen-Rodriguez and Norton-Wisla had the opportunity to visit several of them in July 2023, thanks to a WSU 2023 Transformational Change Initiative (TCI) grant. TCI grants are awarded annually by the … » More …

Sepia photo of historical Malden, Washington
Winter 2023

Historical Malden

Malden was once one of the largest and fastest growing communities in the Palouse region. It was the headquarters for the Columbia Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway. Malden was relatively unsettled before 1909. That was the year the railroad build a depot and roundhouse. The town continued to grow until the 1920s* when the railroad moved its operations out of Malden.

*In 1928, the population of Malden was 2,500 residents.

Click on the image below to view a few historical photographs of this storied Whitman County town.

Malden ... <a href=» More …

A farmer stands in front of a field of organic crops
Winter 2023

Feeding our ethics: A conversation about food and values with Samantha Noll

A simple decision about what to order for lunch can have profound effects on others.

“Food is interesting because it touches so many other communities,” says Samantha Noll, an associate professor of bioethics in the School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs at Washington State University. “When we decide that we’re going to eat that falafel sandwich, or that burger, or that salad, we’re impacting others with that seemingly simple choice.”

Samantha Noll headshot with blue tintSamantha Noll
(Courtesy WSU School of Politics, … » More …

Fall 2009

Gallery—Sketches by Gustavus Sohon of the Walla Walla Treaty Council

Gustavus Sohon was born in Tilsit, Germany on December 10, 1825. After emigrating to America, he enlisted as a private in the United States Army at the age of 26. He was ordered West for service on the Pacific Coast. A gifted linguist (he spoke English, French, and German), Sohon quickly learned the Salishan languages of the Flathead and Pend d’Oreille Indians. He also made drawings of the country and important landmarks while working on expeditions. At the request of Washington Governor Stevens, Sohon was transferred to his command. Stevens had been very impressed with Sohon’s work. On later expeditions Sohon worked as map maker … » More …

Fall 2009

Gallery: The Nespelem Art Colony and Chief Kamiakin’s descendants

In June 1937 art students and instructors from Washington State College descended on Nespelem on the Colville Reservation.’ They painted portraits of Chief Kamiakin’s children and grandchildren, along with scenes of life among the Confederated Tribes. Images and captions from Indian Summers: Washington State College and the Nespelem Art Colony, 1937–41 by J.J. Creighton and published by Washington State University Press, 2000.