Tacoma Historical Society
The Tacoma Historical Society is an organization that has been preserving and promoting the history of Tacoma for over 100 years. They are committed to both collecting artifacts, photographs, and oral histories to present a complete picture of life in this region throughout time. Currently, they have one physical location with several historical exhibits on display, but physical boundaries do not restrict their work. The society also provides educational outreach through presentations at schools and libraries in the area.
Tacoma Historical Society helps people to discover the past with regular events. They have created an online calendar that will help you stay up-to-date on what is happening this month, including one featuring Tacoma’s history in film. There are also many great resources available for teachers and students who wish to learn more about local history, so be sure not to miss out on these!
The society continues its work by encouraging everyone living in or visiting Tacoma to become involved in preserving the city’s rich cultural heritage. Whether attending a lecture or checking out historical exhibits, they want anyone interested in learning more about the place they live to explore this city’s unique history. They also host various events throughout the year where everyone is welcome, such as their annual fundraiser and Tacoma Day.
About the Tacoma Historical Society
The Tacoma Historical Society is the perfect place to go if you’re interested in discovering more about Tacoma and its history. They offer a variety of different programs, all related to learning more about this fascinating city. The museum offers tons of exhibitions for everyone who wants to learn something new or take an adventure back into time with their family!
It’s not just unique exhibits either; there are also many classes offered at the historical society that teach people how to start preserving items like photos themselves (and maybe even find some treasures along the way!). If you’re looking for something fun to do with your friends, then be sure to check out one of their walking tours around downtown that will give you plenty of information on what it was like living in this area over 100 years ago.
Facts About the Tacoma Historical Society
The Tacoma Historical Society was founded in 1891. The non-profit organization works to promote, preserve and educate about the history of Tacoma. Funded by donations from individuals, businesses, foundations, and grants, they can offer some free programs that help share their mission with both adults and students throughout Pierce County.
Their headquarters is located on Broadway at the corner of 11th Avenue where visitors can explore historical photographs, maps, paintings, and other artifacts, including a desk once owned by Chief Seattle’s daughter, which recently sold for 11 million dollars!
They also run the Eliza Hart Parker House Museum dedicated to an early pioneer woman who helped establish schools along Puget Sound during her lifetime (1839 – 1927).
When visiting the museum, guests can see the inside of her Victorian Gothic home in downtown Tacoma including an open parlor and kitchen. They also offer self-guided tours through Old Town, where visitors will discover historic buildings like Union Station (1907), designed by New York’s famous architect; McKim Mead & White.
It was once the main stop for visitors arriving in Tacoma via Amtrak and is where travelers can still purchase tickets to ride. The city of Tacoma has done an excellent job preserving its historic buildings, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including Union Station.
Society has made it easy to share their personal family stories by creating an online form called “Tacoma History Stories.” This allows people to post information on any aspect of life in Tacoma, whether they are submitting photos from different periods or simply sharing memories associated with specific locations.
Activities in Tacoma Historical Society
The goal of the society is to provide a rich source for research into Tacoma’s history and provide public programs that bring this information to life. To accomplish this, they seek out and preserve artifacts and stories from across Northwest Washington state and the South Puget Sound region, which tell the story of our shared past. They also connect people with local historical societies to do your research if you lack access or time constraints prevent them from traveling where their collections are kept. They offer a selection of public programs and outreach opportunities, including:
They have volunteer opportunities available for interested members who want to learn more about how they can help or show up on event days when needed! You will receive full training before being put into positions where your skills may come in handy, whether it is based on previous experience working with collections like these or not. It doesn’t take much besides interest and willingness to get involved since learning happens here at THS instead of attending lectures all day long.
The Tacoma Historical Society also sponsors the annual Fiddlers’ Gathering and Celtic Festival. The festival includes:
- Live music.
- Dancers in traditional costumes from around the world.
- Workshops on how to dance as they do in Ireland or Scotland (if you know how already).
- Storytelling for adults and children alike.
- Crafts booths were selling from lace shawls to pottery with historical design motifs unique to each culture represented at this year’s event.
There are even reenactors demonstrating what life was like during different eras throughout history when people used these items. This is truly an experience that will not be forgotten by any who attends! It has become so popular since its inception several years ago that the location has had to be moved from its original site at Point Defiance Park for it not to interfere with other activities.
They also offer various research services for people looking to learn more about their family history. They do this by creating and preserving original records, information on historic properties, photographs, maps that detail everything from land use to topography so you can access them in the future when needed.
This is especially useful if no living relatives remember specific details or stories associated with your ancestry before moving into an area like Tacoma, where most everyone has lost touch with any roots they may have had outside of town. You will discover new things that others were unable to find out without knowing what resources are available.
What To See on Tacoma Historical Society?
Once you’ve had a chance to research your family history, there are plenty of other things here in Tacoma that will pique your interest and make the trip worthwhile. There is no shortage of places where you can see historical exhibits related to the past or even take part in immersive experiences with guides who explain all about what life was like when these structures were first built. Here’s a list of some things to see in Tacoma Historical Society:
– A Nisqually basket, which is on display in the museum lobby. One of the last remaining Native American women who still practice traditional basket-making techniques made this basket. She learned how to make baskets from her grandmother when she was just six years old and won’t tell anyone what materials go into these pieces or share her secret for weaving them because it’s part of an oral tradition passed down through generations. Visitors can see this piece up close but cannot touch anything or photograph it without permission.
– Engaging displays focus on different historical events, including World War II, Native American life before settlers arrived, logging operations throughout Pierce County, local architecture styles through periods.
– The museum houses an extensive collection of historical photos and artifacts from Tacoma neighborhoods.
– Children especially enjoy seeing the dollhouse made by one woman over many years using items she found around her home, including buttons, thimbles, pins, empty spools of thread, scraps of fabric, or other materials. The dolls mainly were handmade out of what could be found as well.
– A full-scale replica of a sternwheeler boat called “Tacoma,” built for use as a gambling ship during Prohibition times.
– A life-size replica of the “Portland,” a train that served as a Tacoma landmark from 1874 to 1980. It was the first locomotive to cross over the Cascades after engineers figured out how to get an engine across this mountainous terrain.
The John Olsen Research Library is located in the museum’s backroom and contains over 50,000 books for visitors interested in genealogy or history research.
– A replica of the Wright brothers’ Model B airplane that was shipped in pieces to Tacoma assembled here and then famously piloted by Roy Olmstead when he became the first man ever to fly an aircraft in Washington state.
– Artifacts from local Native American tribes, including masks dating back hundreds of years, tools used in fishing, clothing, and implements for cooking.
– A replica of a pioneer log cabin constructed by the Log Cabin Heritage Association in Tacoma. The house is furnished with period pieces, and visitors can tour it with or without a guide.
– An extensive collection of military uniforms and weapons from various wars, including the Homefront Exhibit, which contains documentation and artifacts from World War II.
– The mural on the wall outside is also worth checking out. This outdoor artwork depicts scenes covering an extensive timeline, starting with people who lived along Puget Sound before settlers arrived up until modern times.
– Many other exciting exhibits, including a tour through Pierce County history via displays with artifacts dating back to different periods according to local events such as World War lI, Prohibition-era activities, etc.
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