A researcher at Washington State University is looking for South Whidbey residents who may have information about Freeland’s history as a utopian colony.

Shari Conditt is a graduate student in history at the university, and is hoping to find islanders who might have documents, photographs, diaries, journals, handbooks or any other original materials from the turn-of-the-last-century experiment. Her thesis work involves gender roles within the colony. Copies of materials are fine but originals are preferable.

Conditt said her research time so far has been spent mostly combing through archives.

People who have Freeland colony materials, or who can offer tips about others who might have material to share, can

contact Conditt at 360-909-0508 or email sharon.conditt@email.wsu.edu or condittteachers@msn.com.