Whitman County Genealogical and Historical Societies Open New Shared Space

The Whitman County Genealogical Society and the Whitman County Historical Society have relocated to a new shared space in Pullman. The organizations invite the public to explore their resources during an open house at the Community Congregational United Church of Christ, located at 525 NE Campus Ave., on October 8, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both nonprofits aim to preserve the region’s history through extensive collections, research, and community engagement.

While the two societies operate independently, they frequently collaborate to enhance their offerings. Monica Peters, the correspondence secretary of the genealogical society, emphasized the importance of their work in filling gaps in family histories. “We provide information that can’t be found online through written records and accounts,” she stated. On the other hand, Alex Otero, the archivist at the historical society, noted their broader mission focuses on the tangible aspects of the county’s heritage, including artifacts and historical documents.

The societies were forced to find a new location after the Gladish Community and Cultural Center closed its doors in September 2023. This sudden announcement caught both organizations off guard, giving them approximately two weeks to pack their archives and search for a new home. Prior to the closure, the two societies had spent over three decades at the Gladish, which had become integral to their operations.

The Whitman County Historical Society was founded in 1972, initially growing its collection before moving into the Gladish in 1987. The Whitman County Genealogical Society, established in 1984, began meeting in private homes before securing a physical location in 1992 as its collections expanded.

Otero highlighted the significance of such organizations in preserving local history. “Outside of our organization, there aren’t many places where people can access over a century of publications from the Pullman Herald, view plot records and maps, or see old photographs,” he explained. Peters added that there is a strong interest among residents in connecting with their ancestry, stating, “The work we do helps residents feel a connection to their family history and their community.”

The societies are currently open on Wednesdays from 09:00 to 12:00 or by appointment. The historical society offers free research assistance, while the genealogical society charges $20 per hour for in-depth genealogical research.

For more information about the Whitman County Historical Society, visit whitmancountyhistoricalsociety.org. To learn more about the Whitman County Genealogical Society, go to whitmancgs.org.