Overview of the Collection
Biographical NoteBen Paris was a well-known Seattleite whose namesake store was a destination for area sportsmen. He married Florence Alma Conner in 1916, and worked as an ironworker until he was injured on a job in St. Louis. After returning to Seattle, he served as the first representative for Local 302 of the National Union of Steam Engineers of America. He then borrowed $500 from his brother Jack to open a pool hall on Admiral Way, which was soon followed by another in Auburn. He eventually opened a business that became a downtown Seattle landmark, a combination of restaurant, bar, sporting goods store, and pool hall. The store (along with the Seattle Star newspaper) also sponsored the area's first fishing derby beginning in 1931, reportedly motivated by Paris's desire to sell more fishing rods. Content DescriptionThis collection mainly documents the business and personal interests of Ben Paris, including his store, the fishing derbies he started, and the baseball team he sponsored. The contents are predominantly photographs, but also include news clippings, correspondence, and ephemera. There are also a few items related to Paris's wife Florence and daughter Paulla. Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
The collection is open to the public by appointment. Restrictions on Use :The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners. Preferred Citation :Ben Paris Photographs and Other Materials, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle Administrative InformationDetailed Description of the Collection
Subjects
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