About the organization

The Queen Anne Historical Society (QAHS) is an independent, volunteer-run non-profit organization dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of the Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1971 by the History Committee of the Queen Anne Community Council, it is among the oldest historic preservation organizations in Seattle.  

We maintain an archive of historic photos and documents, organize unique tours and lectures, lobby to nominate historic sites for landmark designation, and write and publish articles about Queen Anne history.

 

Board of Trustees 2024

Officers:

  • Leanne Goulding, President

  • Sabrina Matson, Secretary

  • Mary Chapman Cole, Treasurer

Trustees 2024

(Active members do not show a departure date)

Monica Brown (2023 - present)

Monica has lived on Queen Anne since 2003 and joined the board in 2023 as the archivist. Her interests run deep in urban design, historic preservation, and art. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in economic geography and a master’s degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in transportation planning. In 2020, she received certification in museum studies from the University of Washington. She worked on projects for the Bellevue Arts Museum and the Museum of Northwest Art. In addition, she is on the executive board of the Seattle Art Museum Supporters group. 

Maureen Elenga (2017-present)

Maureen is an architectural historian and 20-year resident of Queen Anne. She is the author of Seattle Architecture: a Walking Guide to Downtown. In 2020, she published The Bridges of Seattle, about these iconic structures that help define our city. Maureen joined the Board in 2017, has served on the Archives and Preservation committees, served as the 2022-2023 Board President.

Alli Rico (2024-present)

Alli Rico has lived in Queen Anne since 2021 and joined the board in 2024 to manage the society’s social media. Currently she works for Cascade PBS, Seattle’s local PBS station. Alli has worked in content production and social media management for almost 10 years, and has a master’s degree in museum studies from Harvard University. Her previous museum work includes History Cambridge and the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, both in Massachusetts.

Paige Pauli (2021-present)

Paige grew up in Magnolia, attended Seattle Country Day School here in Queen Anne as a child, and moved to Queen Anne in 2008 after graduating from college. She and her husband, Trevor, have rehabilitated two historic homes in Queen Anne and are passionate about saving old structures. She works as a software designer and is a mother to two young future preservationists.

Sabrina Matson (2024-present)

A Queen Anne resident, Sabrina serves as Secretary of the board of directors. Sabrina is a Real Estate Advisor with Coldwell Banker. Her commitment to community partnership and relationship management has led to noteworthy success, exemplified by the 2022 "Rookie of the Year" Award. With expertise in community relations and CRM, she combines strategic property analysis and evaluation of acquiring, selling, and developing property, with fostering lasting connections within the community. Her dedication to sustainable growth and the nurturing of both environmental and social values is recognized through her 30 plus years of volunteer work and civic contributions. She enjoys travel, hiking, photography, long walks through the Queen Anne neighborhood, and quality time with friends and family.

Mary Chapman Cole (2022-present)

Mary is our Treasurer. She grew up on Queen Anne hill. Her family has lived in Seattle since 1890. She currently works for an investment advisory firm; previously she worked for the Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce and was on the board of the Queen Anne Community Council. Mary has a degree in Anthropology from the UW. She lived in Italy and France for 7 years after college, and her hobby is genealogy.

Leanne Goulding (2018-present)

Leanne has lived in and loved the Queen Anne community since 1982, serving on the board as treasurer, membership chair, vice president, and now as president. Her passion for architecture is centered on landscapes, a reflection of her 30 years as a landscape designer, now retired. Leanne enjoys exploring the stairs of Queen Anne with her husband and their 86-pound Labradoodle. To date, she has conquered 48 of these staircases and has committed to completing all 120 by the end of 2024.

Leanne Olson (2010-2023) Board member emeritus

Leanne brings 30+ years of corporate finance and accounting experience and has been a city-wide historic preservation advocate for more than 10 years. An active QAHS member for over 30 years, historic preservation is her passion. She is most proud of the role she played in helping to save the former Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist — a unique 1926 Byzantine Revival design by noted Seattle architect Harlan Thomas. Leanne received Historic Seattle’s Beth Chave Award in 2018.

Marsha Savery (2022-present)

My grandmother moved to Kinnear Place from Alki in 1930. My grandfather was in the first graduating class of Queen Anne High School in 1909. Marsha, three sisters, mother, two aunts, and eight cousins have all graduated from Queen Anne.  I have lived on Queen Anne all but two years of my life.Career includes Marketing Director/Vice President of Marketing for Eddie Bauer, Nordstrom, and Seattle Aquarium. My interest in the Queen Anne Historical Society stems from my love of old houses, big trees and my family history on the hill.

Jill Roseberry (2024-present)

Jill Roseberry moved to Queen Anne early in 2024 and has already fallen in love with the neighborhood and its people. She is excited to take on Membership for the board, aiming to welcome newcomers like herself and enhance the experience of long-time members. Jill holds an MSc in Museum Studies from the University of Glasgow in Scotland and has extensive experience in museum operations, volunteer coordination, and event management. She is also a season ticket holder for the Seattle Reign.

Sue Billings (2009-present)

Sue has lived in Queen Anne since 1972, joining the Queen Anne Historical Society in the late 1980s and serving as Treasurer. Sue has a passion for history and preservation, enhanced by her experience as a docent at the original Seattle Art Museum. A native Seattlite, Sue graduated from Garfield High School and completed college at Western Washington University in Bellingham. An interesting tidbit: She often teased her mom about her alma mater, Bellingham Normal, jokingly calling it "Bellingham Abnormal."

Michael Herschensohn (2010-present)

With over 40 years of non-profit management experience, Michael served as Executive Director of the Seattle Children’s Museum (1988-1995), MOHAI (1995-1998), and Northwest Folklife (1998-2008). He led the city’s Centennial Celebration of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. As president of the Queen Anne Historical Society, he initiated a regular program of grant-supported activities that ended the depletion of our treasury. With Board support and encouragement, he has implemented numerous programs. Writing about local history, especially Queen Anne’s historic buildings and sites, is a never-ending source of inspiration for Michael. He is stoked by our efforts to preserve our neighborhood’s historic character.

Cris Gunter (2024-present)

A resident of Queen Anne for twenty years, Cris is a practicing architect with a portfolio that includes residential, commercial, and retail projects both locally and beyond. When not fixing up his fixer-upper on the hill, he likes to follow in his maternal grandmother’s footsteps and explore, explore, explore.