Mary Michaelson

Mary Michaelson is the sole proprietor of “Aunt Phoebe’s Corner,” a company which conducts historical research about Phoebe Goodell Judson and other pioneers in the Pacific northwest, as well as other related subjects. She is the editor/author of Memory Book, Friends of Aunt Phoebe Reunion, published in 2006 by the Lynden Pioneer Museum, of which she was the Assistant Curator for 6 years. She is also president of The Friends of Aunt Phoebe Reunion, a non-profit group of other historians and researchers, as well as descendants of the Judson and Goodell families. As Fund Advisor for the Holden and Phoebe Goodell Judson Memorial Statue Fund, she works closely with Whatcom Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) in Bellingham, with the goal of creating a life-sized, bronze statue of the Judsons to be placed on the grounds of Lynden’s new City Hall. Ms. Michaelson is a frequent speaker on various subjects of historical interest both in Whatcom County, as well as throughout the Pacific northwest. She is presently writing her second book, Finding Aunt Phoebe, My Search for the True Life of Phoebe Goodell Judson.

Finding Aunt Phoebe: My Search for the True Life of Phoebe Goodell Judson

Phoebe Goodell Judson, the 2009 Legacy Award Winner for the YWCA’s NW Women’s Hall of Fame, is the subject of Mary Michaelson’s research and programs since 2004. “Aunt Phoebe,” as she was affectionately known in her lifetime, co-founded the town of Lynden, Washington, with her husband Holden Allen Judson in 1870, where she lived until her death in 1926 at age 94, less than two months after self-publishing her memoir, A Pioneer’s Search for an Ideal Home. Mary Michaelson’s innovative research into the life of Phoebe Goodell Judson has revealed many surprising facts about this remarkable woman. Assumptions which have been made are now proven to be inaccurate, based upon newly discovered primary source documents. Mary is not content to accept the version which appears on the page and her dogged determination to discover “the story behind the story” has helped to solve many mysteries which have puzzled previous researchers and scholars. Such methods have also revealed new questions, which she continues to investigate, utilizing both standard research methods and serendipitous occurrences which she likes to call “co-inky-dinks.” Mary’s programs, ranging from PowerPoint slideshows to lectures and readings, cover a wide range of topics concerning Phoebe Goodell Judson, her life and times and other related topics.

Says Mary, “If you just read Phoebe Judson’s book without my program, you will close the covers and say to yourself, ‘What a great book! She was a remarkable woman who led such an interesting life!’ But if you experience any of my programs, you will realize that her true life was ten times more interesting than the life she describes in her book!” Mary’s talks are adaptable to a number of related topics and may be adjusted to audiences ranging from seniors to young children. A lively, interactive question and answer session, attractive handouts and hands-on displays are always a part of these most interesting and informative programs.

Contact Mary at (360) 201-7373 or by email.  She currently lives in Lynden, WA.

Mary Michaelson from Humanities Washington on Vimeo.