For decades Junius Rochester has actively contributed to history – especially Seattle history – in its most local aspects: neighborhoods, buildings, and institutions. Author of numerous books and articles, he lectures authoritatively on various topics. An independent, self-supporting historian, member of the Pacific Northwest Historians Guild since its inception and an early president, and officer in many other community organizations, he richly deserves the Guild’s highest honor.
For decades Junius Rochester has been one of the most active historians in the Seattle area, concentrating on history in its most local aspects: neighborhoods, buildings, and institutions. Born to a prominent pioneer family, he has a personal stake and pride in his community and its work. Books include a history of the Madrona/Denny Blaine area of his childhood, a Medina mansion, the venerable Lighthouse for the Blind, and the Norse home. He co-authored Roots and Branches, highlighting individual churches and their communities. He has also written numerous articles and he frequently lectures on various topics. It is hard to think of any other area historian who is as directly involved with our local history although he has also worked on other parts of the United States.
A natural story-teller, Junius is sought out for talks and presentations. He has written columns and narrated a radio history series, and he serves as historian on cruise ships in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. He has worked for the Nordic Heritage Museum and HistoryLink, and has been a Humanities Washington lecturer. Notably, he works as an independent, self-supporting historian rather than as a staff member or employee of an institution. For decades area residents have been increasingly enlightened about their history through the work that Junius has done. A member of the Pacific Northwest Historians Guild since its inception, he was an early president, and he participates in other historical associations. It is fitting that the Guild should give him this recognition.
Rochester, former president of the Pioneer Association of the State of Washington, is a Seattle native. He graduated from Garfield High School in Seattle, Whitman College in Walla Walla, and the Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1995, Junius, received a Project Award from the Association of King County Historical Organizations and the King County Landmarks and Heritage Commission. In 2006, the American Association for State and Local History gave Junius an Award of Merit. He is also the 2017 winner of the prestigious David Douglas Award from the Washington State Historical Society. First given in 1979, the David Douglas Award recognizes the significant contribution of an individual or an organization through projects, exhibits, digital presentations, or programs such as apps, websites or blogs, educational products or any other vehicle that informs or expands appreciation of any field of Washington State history during the previous year.
Junius continues to write and give talks to civic and historical groups and aboard small cruise ships on both North American coasts.