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| Record Creator: | Smith, Samuel J. |
| Description: | This scrapbook documents the personal and professional life 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 several decades from the 1940s to the late 1960s, providing a comprehensive visual record of Smith's political career, family, and community engagement. The scrapbook includes a diverse array of photographic materials, including portraits, group shots, and candid images. These photographs capture Smith in various settings, such as the state legislature, community events, and with his family. The scrapbook also contains certificates, correspondence, and printed ephemera that further illuminate Smith's activities and accomplishments. The scrapbook offers a detailed visual narrative of Smith's life and career. Photographs depict him interacting with governors, civil rights leaders, and fellow legislators, while certificates and other documentation recognize his contributions to the community and legislative achievements. The materials also provide insight into Smith's personal life, including his family, community affiliations, and recreational activities. There are 61 pages in this scrapbook, and 3 loose items. The cover measures 27.25 x 20 inches, and each page measures 26.5 x 19.5 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 2, 1946-1968, Samuel J. Smith Donation, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov, [date accessed]. |
| Record Count: | 70 |
