On June 4, 2019, Holy Names Academy dedicated its new Heritage Center, a space in its historic Capitol Hill building designed to honor the Sisters of the Holy Names and to record the history and impact of the Academy on the Seattle region.
Presenting the Holy Names Academy Heritage Center
The Heritage Center is located in a former computer lab on the second-floor library wing of the school’s landmark, domed building on 21st Avenue East. When, in 1880, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary started what would become Washington’s oldest continually operating school, they occupied buildings in downtown Seattle. In 1908, they moved to their new, Baroque Revival-style building on 21st Avenue East.
“We are fortunate that the Sisters kept detailed daily chronicles of school and community events throughout the years that they lived in residence,” says Head of School and Principal Liz Swift. The Sisters also left a wealth of archives, including many printed and photographic records documenting the early history of the school and Seattle.
The new Heritage Center features history panels, an illustrated timeline, display cases for artifacts, and interactive digital-search tools. Its creation was coordinated by the school’s Archivist, Christie Spielman, a 1968 graduate and former Alumnae Director.