Governor's Heritage Award - Ester Mumford

Esther Hall Mumford of Seattle, Washington is one of the leading experts on the history of African Americans in the Northwest. Originally from Louisiana, Mumford relocated to Seattle in 1961, and received a degree in political science from the University of Washington in 1963. Mumford began her career in historical research as an oral historian for the state in the 1970s during preparations for the U.S. Bicentennial. In 1980 Mumford and her husband Donald founded Ananse Press to publish works of African-American history and culture. Trained in the handling of historical photographs and documents, Mumford has curated several exhibitions on African-American history. She has given countless presentations in Seattle-area public schools and is in great demand as a lecturer. Mumford has written three books on African Americans in Washington, one of them for children. She is also the editor of a collection of oral histories.