Olof Hanson was a deaf architect and minister from Sweden who immigrated to the United States. Born in 1862 in Fjälkinge, Sweden, Hanson moved to the United States in 1875 and lived in Minnesota, eventually graduating from the Minnesota School for the Deaf in 1881. He then attended the National Deaf-Mute College, graduating in 1886.
After graduating from the college, Hanson worked as a draftsman in Minnesota, toured Europe, worked briefly in Philadelphia as an architect, and then returned to Minnesota and established his own architectural business. He eventually moved to Seattle, Washington and with his wife, Agatha Tiegel Hanson, had three daughters. Hanson was actively involved in the Deaf community in Minnesota and later Washington. He was part of the Minnesota Association of the Deaf, the Puget Sound Association of the Deaf, and the National Association of the Deaf. He even served as president of the NAD from 1910 to 1913.
The Olof Hanson Papers cover a period from 1862 to 1948. The bulk of the collection focuses on correspondence between Hanson's family and relatives as well as his architectural works. The collection also includes material from Hanson's time at college, his work as a minister, and photographs.
Please note that the digitized collection does NOT include the architectural drawings that Hanson made. Consult an archivist to view the architectural works on file. The finding aid for the collection can be found here, including a list of architectural works that were not digitized.
