Chairman Jim Jansen (left) is interviewing employees who had a special impact on Lynden's history, like Alcan Driver Lee Burgess.
Lynden's history is presented in the books LTI-A 75-year History, Everyday Heroes: The Story of Lynden and Its People, and several updated versions since then.
Over the years, historic photographs, tapes, videos and artifacts have been shared and collected in various locations within Lynden. However, there has never been a formal program to preserve these valuables or document the off-hand conversations about Lynden's early days, projects and significant people. "As our early and long-term employees retire, it's important to capture the stories and history they know," says Chairman Jim Jansen.
A corporate archive program is now under way to record oral histories from early Lynden employees, to create a central, searchable database for historic photographs, early marketing and advertising, and to store other historical artifacts. "Our goal is to safeguard our valuable historic materials in one location and protect them from harmful exposure to sunlight and other risks," explains Marketing Specialist Diane Chervenak who is coordinating the program. "We are collecting and sorting items to catalog them and create a library of materials. The work we are doing will be useful for past reflection and valuable for those, inside and outside Lynden, searching for historical data about the company." Diane has collected everything from newspaper articles and old advertising to belt buckles, cigarette lighters and hats.
Jim Jansen is conducting the oral histories by interviewing former and current company leaders and employees like Alcan Driver Lee Burgess who started his Lynden career in the 1950s. Each was selected for the important role they played in shaping Lynden's success and culture. Jim is also recording his own accounts of Lynden's history from the time of Lynden Transfer in 1906 to his own career beginning with washing trucks in Lynden, WA.
Coinciding with these efforts, Lynden's 1954 tractor and trailer, Number 27 and Number 22B, received a refresh this spring to prepare for summer parade dates and other events throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. The rolling museum was created in 1992 using the trailer as exhibit space for photos, videos, artifacts, magazine articles and other memorabilia telling the Lynden story. An updated and more comprehensive historical timeline, map and other enhancements were installed to keep the museum current.
Now one of Lynden's most important historic artifacts, Number 27 was one of four new Kenworths purchased for the Alaska operation after a successful test run in December of 1953 proved the route was viable. It was the first to make the trip up the Alaska-Canada (Alcan) highway, completing the maiden voyage from Seattle to Anchorage and Fairbanks loaded with a side of fresh beef for the grocery store. This delivery marked the first continuously scheduled commercial tractor-trailer delivery of goods to Alaska on the highway, and established Lynden's reputation as a can-do company ready to meet any challenge. The story is a pivotal part of Lynden's history and is showcased inside the trailer.
Today, Number 27 is still on the road making appearances at community events and turning heads with its historic green paint. Its cargo now is Lynden history – the valiant men who drove it and the Lynden drivers today who carry on the tradition. "We do this for our customers and employees, and in honor of our drivers," Jim says. "We are recording our history to make sure that the Lynden story is celebrated and never forgotten. It's a story worth telling."
Do you have an interesting photo or item from Lynden’s history that you’d like to share with us? Please email details to history@lynden.com.
Topics from this blog: Lynden Lynden Employees Drivers Featured