For those not already familiar, Capitol Hill Modern is a 4Culture-funded historical survey of Mid-Century Modern apartments built on Seattle's Capitol Hill between 1945 and 1978. The survey began in May of 2020 and although the project officially concluded in early January, it's amazing to think it is already over... except for one crucial task: publishing the final project documentation. This documentation includes a full list of identified buildings, context statement, intensive survey, and architectural photographs. So if you are already familiar with the project, skip ahead to section II where you can find some concluding thoughts followed by links to our final documentation. However, if you're new to Capitol Hill Modern, here is a brief overview.
I. Recap
The project originated in 2019 when the project photographer, Lana Blinderman, first proposed it. A year later, historian Tom Heuser partnered with Lana under the auspices of Capitol Hill Historical Society to apply for a $10,000 4Culture Preservation grant. 4Culture generously awarded CHHS the grant that April.
The project serves several purposes:
To raise awareness and appreciation of this style/era of architecture on Capitol Hill. Often neglected and written off as insignificant or non-contributing, these resources play a significant role in our architectural and cultural heritage and are fast deteriorating and disappearing.
To create a photographic record of this style of architecture on Capitol Hill.
To provide a foundational study intended to be edited and further developed.
To inform future historic preservation efforts.
And to generally facilitate future scholarship on the history of Capitol Hill in the second half of the 20th century, for example, a sequel to Jacqueline B. Williams’ The Hill With A Future: Seattle's Capitol Hill 1900-1946 or something similar.
Now complete, Capitol Hill Modern has identified nearly 270 Mid-Century Modern Multi-Family buildings (both existing and demolished) constructed between 1945 and 1978. The accompanying context statement describes the circumstances in which these buildings emerged and how designs changed over time. The accompanying intensive survey provides stunning photographic documentation, detailed architectural descriptions and the historical backgrounds of the eleven most representative / outstanding buildings.
Yes, this survey does go to eleven, but why?
The survey originally focused on ten buildings, but upon later discovering just how significant the Ben-Mar Apartments (now Capitol East) are, there was no question. It had to be included for that proverbial extra push over the cliff.
Now with that cliffhanger, for those interested in learning what made the Ben Mar (and its ten companions) so significant and in learning more about the project methodology, please proceed below.
II. Concluding Thoughts
Tom
This is likely the most extensive project I have taken on outside of co-founding Capitol Hill Historical Society and managing it for five years. And for most of those five years, I tended to turn a blind eye to Mid-Century Modern architecture. I was a purist. However, Lana and this project changed my mind. I have come to have a deep appreciation for it now that I have a much greater understanding for the influences and thinking behind the designs. I have also come to have a much greater appreciation for the craft of capturing these designs in photographic form and look forward to more opportunities to continue doing historical survey work, both on Capitol Hill and elsewhere.
Lana
At the conclusion of this project, I feel more knowledgeable about the history and styles of mid-century modern apartment buildings on Capitol Hill and more connected to my neighborhood than ever before. I have also grown in the art and craft of architectural photography in a context of a dense and busy neighborhood. Going forward, I recommend completing basic photographic documentation of all the remaining mid-century modern apartment buildings this research identified, followed by in-depth documentation of the most representative buildings.
III. Final Project Documentation
Reconnaissance Survey:
You may also search for and view these properties on the state's database at: https://wisaard.dahp.wa.gov
P.S. And a HUGE thank you to all the amazing people supported and/or contributed to this project along the way. This survey would not be what it is without your encouragement, sage advice, valuable resources, careful editing, colorful stories, openness, and curiosity. If you supported this project in some way and don't see your name below, please let us know! We apologize for missing you.
Individuals
Adam Alsobrook
Susan Boyle
Leon Bridges
Glenn Davis
Anne Frantilla
Gothic Ghetto
Marissa Hiller
Michael Houser
Spencer Howard
Edward Krigsman
Brandi Link
Benjamin McAdoo III
Enid McAdoo
Charles Morgan
Jeff Murdoch
Dana Phelan
Angela Rothman
Josy Rush
Mimi Sheridan
Tyler Sprague
Eugenia Woo
Organizations
Capitol Hill Historical Society
Docomomo WeWa
4Culture
Hathi Trust
Puget Sound Regional Archives
Seattle DCI Microfilm Library
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Public Library
University of Washington
WA State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
Washington State Archives, Olympia
Puget Sound Regional Archives
Residents, owners, and managers of the following buildings:
Cirque Apartments
Harvard Court
Lamplighter Condominiums
Thunderbird Apartments
...and finally all those who attended our walking tours!
