Fife History Museum in Tacoma
The Fife History Museum is a landmark in the Tacoma community. Located downtown, it’s an easy walk from many restaurants and shops that line Pacific Avenue. The building has been lovingly restored to reflect its original glory days when it was home to one of Tacoma’s wealthiest families. The museum features interactive exhibits designed for kids and adults alike, so there’s something for everyone.
The museum preserves the history of Tacoma and Pierce County, Washington. The exhibits reflect on events in this area’s past from early settlement to the present day. Visitors see how people lived during different times, what they wore, where they worked, their living conditions, etc.
About the Fife History Museum in Tacoma
The Fife History Museum in Tacoma was initially built by William L. Fife, a successful businessman who made his fortune during the mining boom of the early 1900s. Mr. Fife hired one of Seattle’s most prominent architects to design an impressive home for him and his family at what is now 17th Street and Pacific Avenue, opposite Wright Park!
The house has survived over 100 years intact due to its fantastic craftsmanship that includes mahogany paneling, ornate fireplaces, detailed woodwork throughout much of the interior, including cabinetry with glass fronts displaying various pieces from china sets to silverware within, nearly floor-to-ceiling leaded art glass windows on both floors overlooking Puget Sound views across parkland where it abuts the park and more.
It is not only a museum of Fife’s legacy but also houses many other pieces about Tacoma history (such as one of the world’s largest collections of Pacific Northwest Native American baskets), including some fascinating memorabilia from our local “star” Harry Houdini.
The house itself has been moved twice to preserve it for future generations; once in 1915 when Mr. Fife needed to build an office building on this site which required moving his home to make room, then again in 1986 through 1988 after another downtown renovation project threatened its existence yet again.
Both moves were orchestrated by volunteers who carried out detailed research to ensure that accuracy was maintained without damaging any part or piece of the home. The house was restored to reflect its original glory and opened as a museum in 1989 again through volunteer efforts, with over 100 volunteers!
There is also a section about the DuPont company and an area dedicated to Native Americans. The museum has many, many artifacts from different eras of history. They have furniture and tools, clothing and kitchen utensils… there are so very many things to see! Children also love this place because they can dress up in historical costumes or ride horses through town as cowboys did long ago. Fife History Museum is one of Tacoma’s best attractions for families with children who want to learn more about local history.
Facts About the Fife History Museum in Tacoma
The museum is located in downtown Tacoma. The building has been lovingly restored to reflect its original glory days when it was home to one of Tacoma’s wealthiest families. It features exhibits designed for kids and adults alike, so there’s something here for everyone!
Many artifacts from different eras are displayed at the museum, including furniture and tools, clothing, kitchen utensils, etcetera – there is a lot to see! Children also love this place because they can dress up in historical costumes or ride horses through town as cowboys did long ago. Fife History Museum is an excellent attraction for families with children who want to learn more about local history while having fun!
Fife History Museum is the ancestral home of Tacoma’s most influential family, The Fifes. It was built in 1892 and designed by architect E.O. Schwagerl who also created the University of Puget Sound and several other notable buildings around Washington State, including Olympia City Hall and Walla Walla County Courthouse, among others.
While it has been lovingly restored to its former glory with beautiful furniture from that era as well as original art pieces on display throughout the museum, visitors will be surprised at how modern the house feels too, with all its high-end amenities such as electricity throughout telephone service even though it wasn’t connected for over 60 years after being built due to uncertainty about whether or not they could be run through the house!
Activities in Fife History Museum
The Fife History Museum in Tacoma is a popular destination for locals and tourists worldwide. Andrew Lofholm, an amateur historian, established the museum. He had collected various artifacts that date back to pre-historic times, like fossils and tools used by early inhabitants of the area around the Puget Sound region.
Today, visitors can enjoy exhibits featuring historical objects such as Native American artifacts found during archaeological digs at Indian Point on Maury Island, which is about 12 miles south of Seattle; life-size models depicting different eras of history; three-dimensional dioramas representing natural habitats inhabited by settlers up until the 1830s when the first white settler arrived at Alki Beach; examples of totem poles built by native tribes; and displays of photos illustrating different aspects of life in the early days. Visitors can also glimpse traditional Native American culture by attending dance performances, storytelling sessions, and other activities presented at Fife History Museum.
Fife History Museum features several activities and exhibits for both children and adults. They have living history events where visitors dress up in historical costumes to get the feel of life during that period. Children can also participate in hands-on crafts while learning about local history through this fun, educational projects!
An area dedicated specifically to Native Americans showcases how they lived long ago, with demonstrations showing their hunting techniques and games designed to give you a sense of who they were. Visitors will see artifacts such as tools or clothes used by them too; it’s exciting, especially if you’re interested in this topic already. There is even an American Indian Chief named Seattle on display here who is a replica of the original, which Chief Seattle himself created!
Fife History Museum also has an area dedicated to a local company, DuPont, and its impact on Tacoma. The museum covers everything from how they started using gun powder in fireworks and eventually moved into explosives and munitions during World War I making them one of America’s largest chemical companies at that time.
The Fife History Museum is suitable for families since they offer free admission and have activities every day of the week. Visitors can go on a guided or self-guided tour with an audio device to learn about Tacoma’s history in 1841 when David Swinson “Doc” Maynard founded it. He had bought 640 acres of land from pioneer Charles Russell.
Different exhibits feature artifacts found during excavations at historic sites across Washington State, such as Fort Nisqually, Port Gamble S’Klallam village site, Suquamish Museum Village Site, and Puyallup Indian Reservation.
One exhibit features replicas of traditional Native American homes made out of cedar bark sheets. At the same time, another showcases how early settlers would have lived in the 1800s, featuring a replica of Doc Maynard’s first home. Visitors can also experience hands-on activities such as making castings from historic molds and playing with toys from the past. All exhibits are done either by touching or looking through glass cabinets to prevent damage to historical artifacts.
What to see at Fife History Museum in Tacoma?
Fife History Museum in Tacoma is a historic house museum. It features the history of the Fife family, who were among the 300 founders of Seattle city. You can see many interesting artifacts at this Tacoma historical site related to Native Americans and European pioneers. Many exhibits are hands-on so that kids will love them!
The building dates back to the 1890s when Thomas Moore built it for his wife’s parents as their new home after retiring from farming life on Vashon Island near Seattle. They moved here with all their furniture and belongings, bringing everything that was part of their living experience during those times: things like clothes, books, or kitchen utensils which became valuable exhibits today displayed at the historic house museum in Tukwila.
It’s an exciting place to visit if you want to learn more about the American history and early settlers of this area. Kids will love it too! You can touch many exhibits, which makes your trip interactive and educative at the same time. Many items on display are also for sale, so feel free to ask a museum staff how exactly does it work; they might even give you some discount if buying multiple objects or booklets!
The Fife History Museum is an art museum that includes a historic home built in the 1880s. The mansion was donated to the city of Tacoma by Sam Hill, founder of Federal Way. He wanted it to be used as a history museum honoring his ancestors from Scotland and England.
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