Labor Archives of Washington State
What is LAWS?
Nowhere has labor history been more central to regional development and identity than in the Pacific Northwest. The Labor Archives of Washington State (LAWS) was founded to preserve the records of working people and their unions and to serve as a center for historical research, ensuring that new generations have access to the rich labor history of the region.
A unit of the Special Collections Department of the University of Washington Libraries, the Labor Archives is a collaborative project of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies and the UW Libraries. Funding for the Archives comes largely from the labor movement. The contributions of dozens of unions and hundreds of individuals make this possible. Their names are recorded in the Labor Archives Founders Circle.
Exhibits & Events
Upcoming
- Bridges Center Annual Awards Celebration
Sunday, November 13, 2011, 5pm-8pm. UW Center for Urban Horticulture
Reserve your free ticket today! Email Bridges Center or call (206) 543-7946
- Industrial Workers of the World Photograph Collection
March 2012. Stay tuned for more information!
Hours & Location
LAWS is open to the public free of charge.
Special Collections Reading Room
University of Washington
Allen Library South Basement campus map | library map
Seattle, WA 98195-2900
For a current list of hours, see the Special Collections hours page.
Contact:
Conor Casey, Labor Archivist
Phone: 206.685.3976
Fax: 206.543.1931
cmcasey@uw.edu
Resources
Research Resources
- Labor Archives of Washington State Collection Subject Guide
- Guide to primary and secondary sources for Labor History
- How to Do Research Guide
Other Resources
- Directory of Labor Archives in the US and Canada (PDF) Compiled by the Labor Archives Roundtable of the Society of American Archivists
- Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies
- Pacific Northwest Labor and Civil Rights Projects
- Pacific Northwest Labor History Association
