Pieces of the Past - About

Pieces of the Past is an online collection that consists of a database of historical photographs, a catalog of museum items, a reproduction of the Des Moines Historical Quilt, and links to other sites of local interest. The collection debuted in 2004.

It also links to Des Moines Museum Historical Map, an online tour of buildings past and present. The historical map site was created by Jared Holloway Thomas as his Eagle Scout Project in 2003.

To help bring history to life, in 2005 the Friends and Foundation funded the Des Moines Stories component. Professional storyteller Joe McHugh interviewed 11 long-time residents, who were "natives" and "transplants." On this site you can hear and read their interviews.

Pieces of the Past was funded by a grant from Friends of the Des Moines Library and King County Library System Foundation, with additional contributions by King County Library System and Des Moines Historical Society. The grant paid for cataloging, software licensing, and hosting for the photograph database through 2005.

The Friends and Des Moines Rotary covered the continued licensing and hosting costs in 2006. In 2007, the photo collection was transferred to King County Snapshots, administered by University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections.

Des Moines Historical Society welcomes donations of local historical significance, as well as monetary donations to assist with continued digitization efforts.

Shawn Crosby
Librarian, Des Moines Library
Photograph cataloging

Carol Davis
Secretary, Des Moines Historical Society
Project support

Anne Graham
Senior Computer Specialist, Digital Initiatives Program, University of Washington Libraries
Technical support

Kevin Hall
Curator, Des Moines Historical Society
Photograph selection, digital imaging

Lisa Hill
Web Services Librarian, King County Library System
Museum catalog database

Anne Hulit
Freelance Librarian & Member, Des Moines Historical Society
Photograph indexing and cataloging

Richard Kennedy
President and Webmaster, Des Moines Historical Society
DMHS website

Joe McHugh
Professional storyteller, musician and producer
Interviewing, recording and production of Des Moines Stories

Susan Metz
Student Intern, Highline Community College / Des Moines Library
Photograph cataloging

Josh Ring
Web Services Specialist, King County Library System
Museum catalog database

Anita Sheneberger
Librarian, Des Moines Library
Photograph cataloging, quilt graphics

Janet Smith
Images and background information for Des Moines Historical Quilt

J Tarner
Graphics Supervisor, King County Library System
Print brochure

Judy Taylor
Library Assistant, Des Moines Library
Museum catalog indexing

Shelley Voie
LinkedIn Profile
Former Reference Librarian, Des Moines Library
Project management, photograph database, quilt website