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PODCAST

Invisible Histories

Cari Simson Elke Hautala

The Invisible Histories podcast unearths lost Pacifc NW stories, hidden histories, and forgotten places, and viscerally connects the public to experiences from the past. The monthly episodes unearth some cool, creepy and hopefully meaningful connections for people alive today.www.invisible-histories.com Read our latest newsletter!Our Instagram account shares images from each episode, @invisiblehistoriesPNWWe are always looking for “invisible histories” of the Pacific NW so if you have a good story

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

54:53

Celebrating the Stories of 2025

Invisible Histories ·

2025/12/09

In this reflective episode of Invisible Histories, hosts Cari Simson and Elke Hautala take a moment to pause and look back on the year that has flown by, filled with challenges and triumphs in their unique engagement with public history. As the end of the year approaches, they share their Year in Review, highlighting memorable episodes, fascinating guests, and the stories that have shaped their journey.This episode is not just a recap; it's an invitation to listeners to revisit past episodes, engage

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49:20

Elise Olmstead: The Hidden Rebel of Prohibition in...

Invisible Histories ·

2025/11/07

In this captivating November episode of Invisible Histories, we dive into the life of Elise Olmstead, a remarkable figure in the history of Seattle, as we chat with local author Rebecca Demarest.Rebecca unravels the threads of Elise's life, from her beginnings in England to her complex relationship with the notorious Roy Olmstead, exploring her influence in the Prohibition era and her role as a radio station operator. Was she an informant to Prohibition agents, or the brains behind the bootlegging

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55:49

The Abandoned History of Northern State Hospital

Invisible Histories ·

2025/10/21

This week on Invisible Histories, we are sharing Part 2 of our two-part journey to the Skagit Valley to visit the Northern State Hospital & Cemetery, a large psychiatric hospital and self-sustaining therapeutic farm and community from 1912-1973 in Sedro-Woolley, WA.Check out Part 1 that focuses on the Northern State Hospital cemetery (episode released on 10/7/25).We are joined by John Horne, our guide, who shares personal anecdotes and insights about the hospital's history, revealing how it

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1:02:14

Uncovering Northern State Hospital's hidden cemetery

Invisible Histories ·

2025/10/07

In this episode of Invisible Histories, hosts Cari and Elke visit the Northern State Hospital Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, WA — a serene field off Highway 20, holding many unidentified graves of more than 1,600 people once confined to Washington’s largest mental institution. Some of the patients’ graves have visible numbers and initials, while many more have sunken under the thick grass or have been damaged by weather.We’re joined by John Horne, a local historian who has spent years painstakingly

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1:30:52

Salem Secrets: Unraveling the Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Invisible Histories ·

2025/09/09

In this enthralling episode of Invisible Histories, we delve into the dark and complex narrative of the Salem Witch Trials, exploring the societal and historical contexts that led to one of America's most infamous episodes of mass hysteria. Join us as we navigate through the summer of 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. We examine the lives of the women accused, including Cari’s ancestor Margaret Skillings Prince.We discuss the intersection of religion, gender, and class, revealing how these factors

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51:45

The Lost Potter's Field: Modern Connections

Invisible Histories ·

2025/09/06

Our Potter's Field research and memorialization project points to the past ways that people who died on the margins in Seattle and King County were treated leading up to 1912, and how their burial area was obliterated in the wake of the Duwamish river dredging and straightening in 1913. Invisible Histories seeks to make modern connections with all our stories, and our intern, Jacob Neville, assisted Elke with research and interviews with modern programs that seek to create memorialization and

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1:08:13

Inside the King County Medical Examiner's Office

Invisible Histories ·

2025/07/09

In this gripping episode of Invisible Histories, we take you behind the scenes of the King County Medical Examiner's Office (KCMEO) where death and the stories surrounding it come to life through the eyes of lead forensic medicolegal death investigator, James Sosik Jr.Join us as we explore the often unseen world of "unnatural" death investigation in King County, WA, and discuss everything from the realities of autopsies to the humane treatment of unclaimed bodies.Disclaimer: KCMEO takes family

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1:03:36

Woven Tales: Reviving Scottish Folk Heritage

Invisible Histories ·

2025/06/02

Have you ever wanted to move to Scotland, study folk magic, and help preserve ancient sites? Well we definitely do, and after today so will you!Welcome to our June episode of Invisible Histories: Woven Tales: Reviving Scottish Folk Heritage with Scott Richardson-ReadIn this captivating episode, we sit down with Scott Richardson-Read, a passionate folklorist and cultural historian deeply rooted in Scotland's rich folk heritage.Join us as Scott shares his journey from working-class roots to becoming

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49:25

Cairn Cainine Detection, part 2

Invisible Histories ·

2025/05/05

Welcome to our May episode: Part 2 of our interview with Cairn Canine Detection and the Case of the "Lost" Potter's Field!We had so much to talk about with the Cairn Canine Detection group that our May episode will continue the conversation with Suzanne Elshult, President and K9 Trainer/Handler. Suzanne shares more about the work they are doing with local Tribes and historical organizations to identify the locations of unmarked burials in Washington State, and beyond. She's also about to get a new

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44:00

Cairn Canine Detection

Invisible Histories ·

2025/04/08

Welcome to our April episode: Cairn Canine Detection and the Case of the Snohomish Pioneer Cemetery!Have you ever wondered how dogs could help locate unmarked graves? Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of canine detection and its role in uncovering the hidden histories of historic cemeteries. In this episode, we share our experience with Suzanne Elshult and June Mansfield and their team from Cairn Canine Detection, who use specially trained dogs to locate human remains in historic burial

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1:10:57

Stephanie Johnson Toliver: Black Heritage Society

Invisible Histories ·

2025/03/10

Welcome to our March episode: Voices from the Archives!Join us for an insightful conversation with Stephanie Johnson Toliver, the Executive Director of Black Heritage Society of WA for the past 7 years, and a longtime advocate for historic preservation, community-building and storytelling.In this episode, we explore the vital role of community archives in preserving the stories of African Americans in Washington, from early settlers who shaped the early towns and communitites, to the impactful

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1:05:35

Cynthia Brothers: Vanishing Seattle!

Invisible Histories ·

2025/02/12

Welcome to our February episode!It is time to dive into our own invisible histories! Alongside Cynthia Brothers, the founder of Vanishing Seattle, we discuss the existence of venues, clubs, and other businesses that were, and still are, beacons of creativity and self-expression.As more and more spaces for social connection undergo closure and demolition, how can we hold onto the culture associated with these spaces? We discuss with Cynthia the implications of the increased price of existing in the

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1:03:09

Rebroadcast: Our interview on "The Bridge"

Invisible Histories ·

2025/01/09

A rebroadcast of our visit with The Bridge in July 2024, with hosts Jean Godden and Julianna Ross.For January, we are rebroadcasting our lively visit with Jean Godden and Julianna Ross of their radio show, The Bridge, on KMGP 101.1, which aired on July 26, 2024.On the show, we share our origin stories, how we met and formed Invisible Histories, some Lou Graham and Lake Ballinger stories, and some teasers from the “Lost” Potter’s Field. Thank you, Jean for such an in-depth interview. We know where

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44:51

Unveiling Seattle's Street Trees

Invisible Histories ·

2024/12/04

Welcome to our December episode! Step into the world of Seattle's street trees with our latest episode featuring Taha Ebrahimi, author of the book, Street Trees of Seattle. Discover how these urban giants connect us to the city's past and enrich our present. Taha shares her journey from a curious walker to a published author, revealing the hidden stories of Seattle's diverse tree canopy. Learn about the ecological and historical significance of street trees and their role in fostering community

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51:31

Cemetery Mysteries in North Seattle

Invisible Histories ·

2024/11/11

Welcome to our November episode, devoted to the beautiful Crown Hill Cemetery, located north of Ballard and west of Greenwood. And prior to that, we explore the mysterious history of the original Greenwood Cemetery, originally called Woodland, which was at the corner of 85th and Greenwood Avenue from 1871 until 1907.A few months ago, we were intrigued to see an article on King 5,Seattle Medium, and Seattle Times about how the historic Crown Hill Cemetery was for sale.Curious minds want to know, who

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1:15:05

Roadhouses Around Seattle

Invisible Histories ·

2024/10/18

When you hear “The Roadhouse,” this might evoke thoughts of a glistening Patrick Swayze doing his own stunts while taming the Double Deuce in the 1989 cult movie of the same name, but roadhouses also have a diverse and storied past here in the Seattle area. From Aurora Avenue North and the Bothell Highway, to Seattle’s Central District and Jackson Street, to Georgetown and the Pacific Highway South, these places became the areas where people were pushed as redlining and the Temperance movement grew

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51:37

The Secret History of Nikola Tesla

Invisible Histories ·

2024/09/12

Welcome to Invisible Histories Season 3 Episode 1!Our "back to school" September episode is all about the iconic and mysterious Nikola Tesla. Sharpen your pencils and fire up your oscillators!We had the pleasure to talk with Jeff Behary about his work, and specifically as the official historian for the Nikola Tesla family.Join us on this month’s episode was we talk with Jeff about his Tesla archive, the Electrotherapy Museum, Tesla as an inventor, and the future practicalities of world wireless

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1:07:57

Balintore Castle

Invisible Histories ·

2024/08/11

This month both Elke and Cari were on their respective vacations, visiting places near and far.In this episode, Elke shares her history with the Gen Con Tabletop Gaming Conference, which she's been directly involved with for over 11 years. This year she went with her oldest son Chance, and had a blast working and playing with the over 71,000 guests to the event!Cari and her daughter went to Scotland, with a stay in the Balintore Castle in moorland aboveBalintore village, a few miles north of theLoch

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43:06

Lake Ballinger

Invisible Histories ·

2024/07/17

Since it’s a beautiful, warm summer day here in Seattle, this month’s episode features a short history of a beautiful lake with a mysterious island. You’ll find this lake on the southwestern corner of Snohomish County, on the edge of Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace, just north of Shoreline, Washington. Come with us to take a dip in the cool, refreshing waters of Lake Ballinger!Learn about the development of this area in the late 1800s through 1920s, with Hugh McAleer, the Bartholomew and Ballinger

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1:12:28

Madam Lou Graham

Invisible Histories ·

2024/06/11

Welcome to Invisible Histories.Today we had the pleasure to host a virtual interview with author Hanna Brooks Olsen about her recently published book, “Notoriously Bad Character: the true story of Lou Graham and the Immigrants and Sex Workers who built Seattle." The book is available through her webpage, www.hannabrooksolsen.comLou reigned supreme in what we now know as the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle in the late 1800s.Today, on Seattle’s Underground Tour and other guided history walks,

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