ABOUT
Russell Holter - Principal Historian
An award-winning Historian and published author
Holter has conducted literally tens of thousands of reviews over the course of his career. His expertise project reviews range from FDIC bank branch applications to incredibly complex FERC hydro-electric relicensing projects. He has been sought out as a member of Technical Advisory Teams for the Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council to problem solve complex cultural resource issues for drinking water, downtown revitalization, wastewater, and similar projects for rural communities and counties. Holter is an award-winning Historian and published author.
EXPERIENCE
Writing Experience
- 2022 The Laborers of Hercules—Vermont Granite Museum
- 2022 Biography of Representative Glyn Chandler—13th District (R)
- 2021 History of the St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company
- 2020 History of the White Shield Home for Unwed Mothers
- 2018 The Context of Washington State Railroad History (unpublished)
- 2017 The Fateful Fourth self-published
- 2005 Rails to Paradise self-published
INTEGRITY ASSESSMENTS
- 2022 Co-authored Historic Structures Report—Alpine Visitor Center, NPS
- 2022 Intensive Level Survey of the Olympia Oyster Company
- 2021 Integrity Assessment of the Oregon Lumber Company Railway
- 2021 Co-authored Condition Assessment Report—Cheney Depot
- 2015 Integrity Assessment of the Oahu Railway and Land Co. National Register site
TECHNICAL ADVISOR
- 2022 City of Lewiston—Historic Preservation Plan
- 2022 Preservation Consultant--Okanogan County Courthouse Repairs
- 2022 Cheney Depot Society—Interpretation Master Plan
- 2021 Yakima Valley Trolley Museum—Capital Campaign
- 2016 C-SPAN--History of Tacoma
- 2007 History Channel—Mega Movers-Locomotives
CONFERENCE SPEAKER AND TRAINING
- 2022 National Narrow Gauge Convention
- 2019 Northwest Railway Safety Conference
- 2004-2016 Pacific Northwest Preservation Field School
- 2004-2016 Cultural Resource Training
- 2004-2016 Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council Conference
- 2015 Revitalize WA Conference
- 2015 Northwest Anthropology Conference
- 2013 Union Station Centennial
- 2004-2009 Principles of Preservation Workshop
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
1999-2004 Cascade Rail Foundation--South Cle Elum Depot Rehabilitation
SURVEY AND INVENTORY
- 2016-2018 Lead the railroad structures survey of Washington State
MUSEUM AND NON-PROFIT
- President of the Board, Pacific Northwest Railway Archive
- President emeritus, Cascade Rail Foundation; 1999-2004
Current member of:
- American Association for State and Local History
- National Railway Station Historical Society
- Municipal Research Services Center
- Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
- Society for Architectural History—Marion Ross Chapter
- Tacoma Historical Society
LANDMARK DESIGNATIONS
- 2023 City of Tacoma--Willamette Casket Company
- 2021 City of Tacoma--White Shield Home for Unwed Mothers
- 2002 City of Tacoma—Bone Dry Shoe Factory
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
- 2021 Yakima Valley Trolley Museum radio campaign
- 2012 She Who Watches
- 2011 This Place Matters (West)
- 2010 This Place Matters (East)
AWARDS
- 2016 Murray Morgan Award for History
- 2013 NATOA Award for Best Public Service Announcement (She Who Watches)
- 2006 Independent Publishers (Honorable Mention) for Rails to Paradise
ASSOCIATES
- Susan Beeman—Local Governments Policy Advisor
- Kelsey Doncaster—Linear Resource Expert
- Ed Echtle - Historic Research
- Anthony Long—African American Historian, Equity Advisor
- Brett Lucas—GIS Analyst
- Terry Mourning—Architect, Building Codes Expert
- Brian Rich—Historic Architect
- Lyn Schaeffer—Historic Research
- Maria Sevier—Cartographer
- Scott S. Williams—Lead Archaeologist
