IPMS Seattle
From the chapter archive
Six decades
at the workbench.
IPMS Seattle's history is a story of builders sharing research, solving problems together, organizing shows, and keeping the welcome mat out for the next modeler.
The surviving record
The chapter's roots reach back to 1964–65.
In the August 2016 newsletter, Norm Filer described 1964 and 1965 as the chapter's “formative years.” Jim Schubert recalled finding a chapter display at Boeing Field during that period and joining in early 1966.
A Seattle Times Sunday Pictorial feature published on April 13, 1969, described the group as the first American chapter of the International Plastic Modellers Society. The club's surviving records also acknowledge that Seattle may more precisely have tied with the Texas chapter for that distinction.
Seen in Seattle · 1969
“Authenticity is the word.”
The Seattle Times photographed members comparing models, studying references, painting markings by hand, and discussing construction techniques—the same kinds of exchanges that still happen at chapter meetings.
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Open the 1969 feature ↗Milestones
A chapter that keeps renewing itself.
These are selected milestones supported by the surviving chapter archive and IPMS/USA records. They are not intended to be a complete account.
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Formative years
Recollections preserved in the newsletter describe hobby-shop and Boeing Field displays that introduced Seattle-area builders to the young chapter.
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Seattle hosts IPMS/USA
IPMS/USA's national-convention record lists Seattle as the host of the third national convention.
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The chapter in print
The Seattle Times documents members meeting on the third Saturday of the month in a crafts room at MOHAI's Montlake building.
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The Seattle Chapter Quarterly begins
The first surviving issue describes a local group of approximately 80 members and asks builders of aircraft, automobiles, ships, dioramas, miniatures, and other subjects to contribute.
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A second national convention
Seattle again hosts the IPMS/USA National Convention on July 14–16.
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A newsletter—and chapter—renewal
A revived newsletter records workshops, bring-and-build meetings, contests, a public display at Renton Library, and a donated chapter library of approximately 300 volumes.
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The national convention returns
Seattle hosts the IPMS/USA National Convention for a third time.
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A new meeting home
The June newsletter introduces the North Bellevue Community Center as the chapter's new meeting facility. It remains the club's regular meeting place today.
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A pandemic interruption
In-person Spring Shows pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the club's accumulated articles, photographs, reviews, and newsletters remain available online.
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Back around the tables
Meetings and public shows return, while the website continues opening decades of chapter work to modelers everywhere.
A voice from 1970
“Enjoyment is why we build models.”
— Jim Schubert, writing in the first surviving issue of the Seattle Chapter Quarterly
Then and now
The tables change. The exchange continues.
The subjects, materials, and tools have expanded, but the chapter's central activity remains recognizable: bring a model, compare notes, ask questions, and help another builder.
Help complete the record
History is a group build.
The archive has gaps, and some captions, dates, names, and locations still need confirmation. If you can identify someone in a photograph, correct a detail, document an early meeting or show, or contribute material that belongs in the chapter archive, please contact the Web Coordinator.
Please tell us what you know and, when possible, include the source of the information. Scans of newsletters, photographs, programs, contest results, and recollections from former members are all welcome.
Send a correction or addition ↗Explore the sources