HistoryLink.org

The HistoryLink board is excited to announce a significant leadership transition that marks the end of an era and the start of an exciting new chapter.

After 25 years of dedication, innovation, and leadership in preserving and sharing Washington’s history, HistoryLink co-founder Marie McCaffrey is retiring. 

HistoryLink.org was the first encyclopedia of community history created expressly for the Internet in the world (as far as we know). It was incorporated in 1997 by Walt Crowley, Marie McCaffrey, and Paul Dorpat, as the encyclopedia of Seattle and King County history.

It has since expanded to encompass the entire state of Washington, growing to more than 8,200 articles about the people, places, and events that have shaped the communities where we live. 

Following Walt’s passing in 2007, Marie took the reins and has guided HistoryLink through good times and bad and carried out ambitious projects that tell the story of such diverse topics as Washington’s public ports, two world’s fairs, and the sweeping arc of agricultural history across the state. 

Marie's retirement is well-timed, given the stability she has brought to the organization and her careful preparations for a seamless transition. As she departs, she has confidence in Jennifer Ott, a 17-year HistoryLink team member, who is taking the reins as Executive Director.

Over the last 25 years, as Walt and I founded and built HistoryLink, your support has been essential to its success. I wanted to personally thank you all for embracing our vision when we first unveiled the concept of an online encyclopedia and your continuing support now, when it is a well-known and respected institution in Washington state.

When my husband, Walt Crowley, passed away in 2007, he left me a letter titled “just in case.” In this letter Walt asked me to keep HistoryLink alive. He gave me detailed instructions on how to do this. He asked me to tell every member of HistoryLink’s team—writers, editors, technologists, and board members, (he named all of them)—how proud he was to work with them.

That was nearly 17 years ago and HistoryLink has not only lived, but thrived. Now HistoryLink has over 8,000 articles and dozens of self-guided historical walking tours. We have created curriculum materials, published 29 books, and collaborated with other organizations on a multitude of projects. HistoryLink is integrated into the civic life of our community—it is a true public information utility. 

Over 60 writers and four editors work together to tell the stories of the places where they live. Our board is strong, made up of people of all different disciplines, from all parts of the state.

Our mission statement is to “pioneer innovative approaches to historical research, education, and publishing," and it has been my guiding light. 

As I step into my new role at HistoryLink, I am filled with gratitude for the people who created HistoryLink, those who have built it into the amazing resource it is today, and to the people who have supported our work along the way. I could not ask for a better community of people as I undertake the position of Executive Director and continue to document and share our state’s history.

HistoryLink has a unique energy; a vitality that comes from a multitude of writers and editors who have shaped the encyclopedia and from the visionary leadership of Walt and Marie. It has allowed me to explore Washington’s history deeply and share the stories I’ve uncovered in engaging and compelling ways. I look forward to maintaining that legacy and creating space for new writers and new opportunities to make history even more accessible to all.