Eleanor Toews Archives Center

District’s Records and Archives Center Named in Honor of First Archivist 

After retiring from Seattle Public Schools as the district’s first archivist in 2011, Eleanor Toews – whose last name rhymes with saves – could not stay away.

She continued to volunteer, serving as an active committee member on the Seattle School Scholarship Fund, processing historical collections in the SPS Records and Archives Center, and serving on the history committee responsible for the latest edition of the “Building for Learning” school histories book. 

Now, after a nearly 32-year career in SPS, the Seattle School Board of Directors approved the naming of the district’s Records and Archives Center in honor of Eleanor Toews.  

Naming the Records and Archives Center after Toews is appropriate, as she was instrumental in establishing the 7,000 square foot facility housing inactive, permanent, and historical records. She championed the development of a robust district records management program and was instrumental in establishing many of our district historical collections. She is also directly responsible for the preservation of thousands of artifacts.  

“We cannot go forward without understanding the past,” Toews said. “The past has to be preserved.”