Title Info: Samuel J. Smith Scrapbooks, Book 1, 1951-1980

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Record Creator: Smith, Samuel J.
Description:
This scrapbook documents the political and civic activities of Samuel J. Smith, an African American legislator who represented the 37th legislative district in the Washington State House of Representatives from 1959 to 1967. The materials span nearly two decades, providing a comprehensive record of Smith's work and influence during a pivotal era of civil rights and social change.

The scrapbook includes a diverse array of materials, including newspaper clippings, photographs, certificates, correspondence, and printed ephemera. These items cover a wide range of topics related to Smith's legislative and community engagement, such as housing discrimination, education, civic organizations, and personal relationships with family and fellow politicians.

The content primarily dates from 1959 to 1967, reflecting Smith's years in the state legislature, though some materials date back to the 1950s and early 1970s. The scrapbook offers a detailed account of Smith's political and community activities. Photographs capture him in conversation with governors, civil rights leaders, and colleagues, while certificates and awards recognize his efforts to champion social justice and support his constituents. Correspondence and printed materials, such as campaign flyers and newsletters, further illustrate Smith's role as an advocate and bridge-builder within the political and civic realms.

There are 117 pages in this scrapbook, and 39 loose items. The cover measures 18.75 x 17.5 inches, and each page measures 18.25 x 17 inches.
Related Records: For more information, or to learn about related records, contact the Washington State Archives at (360) 586-1492, or email research@sos.wa.gov.
Access Restriction Notes: These records are open for research.
Sources of Transfer State Government Archives
Notes The scrapbook can be browsed page by page. Pages are numbered as they fall in the scrapbook (ex: “p003” is page 3 of the scrapbook). Some pages include overlapping or folded items. In these cases, the pages are imaged so that each item can be seen. Items on a page are named a, b, c, and so on (ex: “p003-a” is item a on page 3 of the scrapbook). Some items include multiple pages, such as brochures, booklets, and periodicals. These items are given an item name, followed by a page number (ex: “p003-a-08” is page 8 of item a on page 3 of the scrapbook).

Indexing and digitization completed by Maggie Cogswell, Washington State Archives.
Agency History: Samuel J. Smith was born in 1922 in Gibsland, Louisiana. He served in World War II and passed through Seattle on his way to the Pacific. After the war he returned to Seattle and married Marion King. They had a daughter and five sons. Sam Smith played semi-pro baseball and graduated from Seattle University and the University of Washington. He worked for Boeing, beginning as a riveter and receiving various promotions, from 1951 to 1958.

Smith ran unsuccessfully for the State Legislature from the 37th District in 1956. He ran again in 1958 and was elected, then was re-elected in 1960, 1962, 1964 and 1966. In 1967 he ran for and was elected to a seat on the Seattle City Council where he remained for twenty-four years, serving as Council President for eight of those years. He ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Seattle in 1969, 1973, 1977 and 1981. Sam Smith was an African American and was especially interested in promoting nondiscrimination in housing, corrupt-free government and racial harmony. He retired in 1991 shortly after the death of his wife. Samuel Smith died in 1995.
Preferred Citation: Samuel J. Smith Scrapbooks, Book 1, 1951-1970, Samuel J. Smith Donation, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov, [date accessed].
Record Count: 285