SeattleArchives

The Municipal Archives holdings document the history, development, and activities of the agencies and elected officials of the City of Seattle. Strengths of the records include those documenting engineering, parks, urban planning, the legislative process and elected officials. Holdings include over 6,000 cubic feet of textual records; 3,000 maps and drawings, 3,000 audiotapes; hundreds of hours of motion picture film; and over 1.5 million photographs of City projects and personnel.
The moving image collection in the Archives includes films created by city departments, primarily Engineering, City Light, and the Fire Department, but also films created outside the City. Topics include: public works construction and maintenance, public safety topics like fire prevention, and city scenes from various periods. Both finished products and outtakes are included.
The Archives is open to the public.

Seattle Voices: Sue Rahr (2007)

Seattle Voices: Sue Rahr (2007)
North Transfer Center Recycling

North Transfer Center Recycling
An Evening with Sarah Vowell (October 13, 2008)

An Evening with Sarah Vowell (October 13, 2008)
Seattle Citizen

Seattle Citizen
Mayor's Press Conference : Walking Tour of West Seattle (2002)

Mayor's Press Conference : Walking Tour of West Seattle (2002)
Mayor's Press Conference (December 28, 1999)

Mayor's Press Conference (December 28, 1999)
B-Roll: Ross Lake

B-Roll: Ross Lake
Seattle Voices: Bookoa Chelsar (2007)

Seattle Voices: Bookoa Chelsar (2007)
Seattle Voices: Bill Stafford (2007)

Seattle Voices: Bill Stafford (2007)
Seattle Voices: Ben Klasky (2007)

Seattle Voices: Ben Klasky (2007)
Mayor's Press Conference: Cadillac Hotel (July 6, 2004)

Mayor's Press Conference: Cadillac Hotel (July 6, 2004)
Mayor's Press Conference: Cadillac Hotel (October 11, 2002)

Mayor's Press Conference: Cadillac Hotel (October 11, 2002)
Views from the Vault: 1934 Bathing Suit Law Letter

Views from the Vault: 1934 Bathing Suit Law Letter
[Spokane Street Bridge] (1930)

[Spokane Street Bridge] (1930)
Mayor's Press Conference: Clean Vehicles NOW!

Mayor's Press Conference: Clean Vehicles NOW!
100 Artists Mark the Centennial of Mt. Rainier National Park (July 1999)

100 Artists Mark the Centennial of Mt. Rainier National Park (July 1999)
Greener Homes (February 2002)

Greener Homes (February 2002)
SPU Department Branches Overview (February 2002)

SPU Department Branches Overview (February 2002)
Spokane Street Swinging Bridge (February 2002)

Spokane Street Swinging Bridge (February 2002)
Art and Democracy: Civic Poetry (July 27, 2006)

Art and Democracy: Civic Poetry (July 27, 2006)
West Seattle Sewer Outfall 1973/Columbia Street onramp 1965

West Seattle Sewer Outfall 1973/Columbia Street onramp 1965
Listen to the Voices (December 20, 1999)

Listen to the Voices (December 20, 1999)
Washington State Book Awards Ceremony (October 18, 2006)

Washington State Book Awards Ceremony (October 18, 2006)
Diablo Spill (July 2010)

Diablo Spill (July 2010)
Longfellow Creek: An Urban Legacy (July 1999)

Longfellow Creek: An Urban Legacy (July 1999)
Mayor's Press Conference: Cadillac Hotel

Mayor's Press Conference: Cadillac Hotel
Ballard Jazz Festival (2006)

Ballard Jazz Festival (2006)
Cedar River Watershed Habitat Conservation Plan (February 2002)

Cedar River Watershed Habitat Conservation Plan (February 2002)
[construction timelapse] (circa 1960s)

[construction timelapse] (circa 1960s)
Vicinity of King Street (April 1959)

Vicinity of King Street (April 1959)