H. C. Hanson Oral History Project
The Whatcom Museum of History & Art is pleased to announce the addition of an Oral History Supplement and Photograph Finding Guide to its H. C. Hanson Naval Architecture Collection.Since acceptance of this large and valuable collection in 1982, the Whatcom Museum Staff have recognized the need to more fully illustrate Hanson's personal history. His naval architecture career, which spanned the years 1907 to 1972, was an integral part of the Pacific Northwest's most intense period of maritime activity. Though known principally for his wooden commercial fishing boat designs, Hanson was also vitally involved during both World Wars in military vessel design and construction. Regardless of its intended use, a Hanson-designed vessel was characteristically both seakindly and seaworthy, yet visually graceful. With approximately 18,000 such boats and ships to his credit, it is not surprising that many are still esteemed and in such active service around the globe.
The Hanson Oral History Supplement in its present form consists of thirty-two audiotaped interviews with persons who either had personal and/or professional contact with Hanson, or were particularly qualified to place his career in a clearer historical perspective. Audiotape contents have not been transcribed, but each tape is accompanied by a written description of contents supplement, which is purposefully detailed and correlated to the tape counter of an audiocassette player available to visiting researchers.
Staff have also compiled a new Finding Guide to the Hanson Collection’s 4,800 photograph prints and negatives. Access is provided by subject category, with indexing at the folder level. Duplication services are available through the Museum's Photo Archives department.
The Hanson Naval Architecture Collection, along with its new Oral History Supplement, is a multifaceted resource with many potential applications. Owners of Hanson-designed vessels, practicing naval architects, model boatbuilders, and marine artists alike will find its line drawings and photographs both informative and inspiring. For those with biographical, sociological or historical interests, the oral history interviews reveal aspects of Hanson's personal character and family life; the ethnic context in which he grew up, lived, worked, and prospered; and the groundshift that World War II hastened within the naval architecture profession, namely the transition from wood to steel vessel design and construction.
Inquiries may be addressed to:
Photo Archivist, Whatcom Museum of History and Art
121 Prospect St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone (360)738-7397
Prior appointments are required for access to the Collection line drawings and blueprints.
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