Where the City Meets the Sound: The Story of Seattle's Waterfront with Jennifer Ott

Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum is thrilled to welcome author, historian and Folio member Jennifer Ott for an author reading celebrating the release of her book Where the City Meets the Sound: The Story of Seattle's Waterfront.

From canoes on the beach at Dzidzilalich to steamships and piers, Seattle's waterfront was the center of the city's economy and culture for generations. Its tumultuous history reflects a broader story of immigration, labor battles, and technological change. The 2001 Nisqually Earthquake brought fresh urgency and opportunity to remake this contested space, sparking intense debates over history preservation, the environment, and Indigenous connections long ignored.

Today, the revitalized Waterfront Park offers a new chapter in this ongoing story. The removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the reconstruction of the seawall have redefined how the city interacts with its shoreline. With its blend of historic structures and forward-looking public spaces, the waterfront will continue…