Tacoma Historical Society

Tacoma Historical Society Tacoma Historical Society preserves, presents, and promotes Tacoma's history.

Tacoma Historical Society presents rotating exhibits at its Tacoma History Museum at 406 Tacoma Avenue South in Tacoma's Stadium District. Tacoma Historical Society works to forge connections between past and present generations, fostering an appreciation of the past and a sense of place within our community’s history.

Three unidentified mechanics posed in the Buick "Lubricare" service area at the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership at 455 ...
06/06/2026

Three unidentified mechanics posed in the Buick "Lubricare" service area at the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership at 455 Saint Helens Avenue on June 6, 1951. The clean, efficient service bays were equiped with overhead, pull-down hoses that supplied grease and air to the mechanics. Mueller-Harkins celebrated their 35th year in business in 1951 by offering a free "Lubricare" to every Buick owner in Pierce County whose 35th birthday fell during the 1951 calendar year.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

Lt. Commander Jack Dempsey, U.S.C.G, the former heavyweight champion of the world, was referee at the main event of a bo...
06/05/2026

Lt. Commander Jack Dempsey, U.S.C.G, the former heavyweight champion of the world, was referee at the main event of a boxing night held at the Tacoma Armory on June 5, 1945 to raise money for the 7th War Bond drive. Johnny Ballange, U.S.M.C., right, defeated Pedro Montez, U.S. Army, in the bout. Jack Dempsey had also visited Tacoma in 1944 in support of a war bond drive. View of boxers touching gloves as referee Dempsey gives instructions; unidentified representatives of the Army and Marines flank their men.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

06/04/2026

Check out the latest installment in our "Moving a Museum" video series. In this video, our curator Elizabeth talks about how to store artifacts. Not only is this a fun behind-the-scenes of our moving process, but also some good advice for caring for your own artifacts at home!

"Oak paneling from real oaks" was the heading of a Weyerhaeuser advertisement that ran in magazines, featuring a photo t...
06/03/2026

"Oak paneling from real oaks" was the heading of a Weyerhaeuser advertisement that ran in magazines, featuring a photo taken by the Richards Studio on June 3, 1964. The ad stressed that every piece of Weyerhaeuser hardwood paneling actually came from real trees. All Weyerhaeuser paneling were given lustrous prefinishes. The cost of these genuine woods was only slightly higher than some print-grain panels.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

It was a hazy day on June 2, 1971, when a Richards Studio photographer captured this aerial view of much of north/centra...
06/02/2026

It was a hazy day on June 2, 1971, when a Richards Studio photographer captured this aerial view of much of north/central Tacoma. The snowy tip of Mount Rainier can faintly be seen in the distance. In the photograph's foreground are Wilson High School (now Silas, near bottom center) at North 12th & Orchard. The Auto View Drive-In is close by at 1202 North Pearl. Pearl Street intersects with Sixth Avenue and then angles off to become Bantz Blvd.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

Ceremonies marking the site of the first hospital in Tacoma at 2511 North Starr Street were observed on June 1, 1922. Bu...
06/01/2026

Ceremonies marking the site of the first hospital in Tacoma at 2511 North Starr Street were observed on June 1, 1922. Bunting covered the marker laid on a granite boulder and more flowers wait to be laid nearby. The Tacoma Women's Club, assisted by the Pierce County Medical Association and the staff of Tacoma General, took part in the ceremony. Mrs. Percy C. Smith, president of the Women's Club, stands behind the woman in foreground, possibly Dr. Mary Perkins of the Pierce County Medical Association.

Dedicated on April 29, 1882, and named after F***y C. Paddock, wife of Episcopal Bishop John Paddock, the hospital was located in a building that was formerly a dance hall. Mrs. Paddock, who died on route to Tacoma, had collected $500 from friends in New York to establish a hospital here. After her death, more money was sent as a tribute. The hospital was relocated to 312 South "J" St. in 1888 and made a final move to 315 Martin Luther King Jr. Way (then "K" St.) and name change to Tacoma General Hospital in 1912.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

05/31/2026

Welcome to the May 2026 installment of our monthly speaker series, happening virtually as we are in the midst of our move to our new museum location in Tacoma's Brewery Blocks.

Enjoy this presentation by our curator, Elizabeth Korsmo, all about caring for textiles - with several artifacts from our collection serving as fun examples!

Here's a fun mystery from 102 years ago today! On May 30, 1924, this newly-built home was advertised for sale in the New...
05/30/2026

Here's a fun mystery from 102 years ago today!

On May 30, 1924, this newly-built home was advertised for sale in the News Tribune by its builder, the M.W.F. Wallace Co. The bungalow had hardwood floors in the living room, a separate dining room, fireplace, two bedrooms and a 3-piece bath.

Neither the sales price nor the actual street location were listed in the ad, although it was identified as being in the south end. Does anyone recognize the house, whether still standing or now demolished?

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

A marked and lighted crosswalk on South Tacoma Way as photographed at night on May 29, 1949. Across the street are the S...
05/29/2026

A marked and lighted crosswalk on South Tacoma Way as photographed at night on May 29, 1949. Across the street are the South Tacoma Travel Bureau at 5224 South Tacoma Way, the South Tacoma Bus Depot, the Opal Tavern at 5226 and the Golden West Tavern at 5228. Teresa's Cafe, closed at this time, still has signs showing on the far right.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

A trio of lawn bowlers, (l to r) George Fairbaine and Charles P. Middleton of Seattle and Eugene McNeal of Tacoma, crouc...
05/28/2026

A trio of lawn bowlers, (l to r) George Fairbaine and Charles P. Middleton of Seattle and Eugene McNeal of Tacoma, crouch to measure the distance between a bowling ball and the "jack" on the green in Wright Park. On May 28, 29 & 30, 1938, eighty five lawn bowlers from Bellingham, Portland, Seattle and Tacoma competed in the Northwest Lawn Bowling Association's holiday tournament in Wright Park.

The Scottish game had developed a large following in the Pacific Northwest and Wright Park held one of the finest manicured playing fields in the region. McNeal of Tacoma won the singles title with Fairbairn finishing third. The object of the game is to roll your ball as close to the "jack", the small white ball, as possible.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

Parks Tacoma

Address

406 Tacoma Avenue S
Tacoma, WA
98402

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+12534723738

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