Tacoma Historical Society

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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.

Gilbert McLean, tree surgeon, and Doris Cook, a nurse at Tacoma General Hospital, examined a wind damaged tree in Wright...
10/21/2026

Gilbert McLean, tree surgeon, and Doris Cook, a nurse at Tacoma General Hospital, examined a wind damaged tree in Wright Park. The tree has been sealed and braced with iron rods. McLean, one of the few skilled practitioners of arboriculture in Tacoma, was employed by the Metropolitan Parks District to take care of its ailing trees. He was hired shortly after the disastrous windstorm of October 21, 1934 which destroyed 34 trees in Wright Park alone. McLean nursed 12 of them back to health. He was also responsible, along with Superintendent Sherman Ingels, for scientifically labelling the 1,200 trees in the Wright Park Arboretum. In his spare time, he also pruned, sprayed and trimmed the trees.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

At the October 20, 1942 War Chest report luncheon, Ed Michlitsch became the first winner of "War Chest" after reporting ...
10/20/2026

At the October 20, 1942 War Chest report luncheon, Ed Michlitsch became the first winner of "War Chest" after reporting that his funds raised for the charitable organization equalled a "goose egg." He was required to feed and care for a live duck until he could improve his financial report. At that time, he could pass the duck on to the next low man. A Richards Studio photographer captured this shot of Mr. Michlitsch with his wife Albina, son David, and "War Chest," the duck saved from the chopping block to become a family pet. The Michlitsch family address is given in the 1942 City Directory as 3010 Portland Ave, Apt. C.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

On October 19, 1939, Oscar V. Brown, the Brown's Point Lighthouse keeper, took mandatory retirement on his 70th birthday...
10/19/2026

On October 19, 1939, Oscar V. Brown, the Brown's Point Lighthouse keeper, took mandatory retirement on his 70th birthday; he had been the keeper of the lighthouse for 36 years. Pictured here a few months prior in the summer of 1939, his is pointing to an entry in the lighthouse book and explaining its significance to two teenage visitors wearing bathing suits. Shirley Jackson signed the register while Anita Rowe waited her turn to sign.

The first lighthouse at this location was a shaky wooden structure. It was replaced in 1934 with this white concrete building, which still stands today. The area became a public park in 1964 and today is managed by Parks Tacoma - learn more about the history on their website here: https://www.parkstacoma.gov/place/browns-point-lighthouse-park/

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

99 years ago today in Tacoma, a building which is still a landmark celebrated its opening! This photograph of the new Ma...
10/18/2026

99 years ago today in Tacoma, a building which is still a landmark celebrated its opening! This photograph of the new Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Avenue was taken in November of 1927. The Temple Theatre (then called the Heilig Theater), built within the Masonic Temple, celebrated its grand opening on October 18, 1927.

The theater was leased by Calvin Heilig and was decorated in an Egyptian motif. Loges were installed on the lower floor. The Masonic Temple itself would be dedicated on December 1, 1927, six weeks after the theater's grand opening. The $550,000 building rose ten stories from the Broadway level. It was 124 x 170 feet in size and built of steel and concrete. The facade consisted of stone finish with brick trimmings. Sixteen Masonic bodies would utilize the structure as a meeting space.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

Angled view of Tacoma city skyline taken on October 17, 1964, by air. Schuster Parkway has yet to be built through part ...
10/17/2026

Angled view of Tacoma city skyline taken on October 17, 1964, by air. Schuster Parkway has yet to be built through part of the wooded area shown. The 11th Street (now Murray Morgan) Bridge leading to the Tideflats from the business district is at right. The ASARCO smelter can be seen in the distance; glimpses of Stadium district including high school to the right top, (Old) City Hall on Commerce St. and its replacement, the County-City Building a few blocks away on Tacoma Ave. South, Central School in upper center. The Thea Foss Waterway is in the foreground.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

We're looking forward to participating in Educator Night at the Museum on October 29 at the Foss Waterway Seaport - hope...
10/16/2026

We're looking forward to participating in Educator Night at the Museum on October 29 at the Foss Waterway Seaport - hope to see you there to learn more about educational resources available from local community, arts, cultural, and science organizations!

This photo captured the shoveling contest that ensued during the October 16, 1940, groundbreaking at the College of Puge...
10/16/2026

This photo captured the shoveling contest that ensued during the October 16, 1940, groundbreaking at the College of Puget Sound for a new Student Union Building. Mayor Harry Cain, in hat and cigarette in mouth, squats at right center. Norton Clapp, who was declared as the winner of the contest, is to Cain's left in photo. Clapp served as a trustee of the college (later University) for 62 years, 19 of those as chairman of the board of trustees.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

October 15-30, 1942 was the fund raising campaign for Tacoma's War Chest. The War Chest was a branch of the Community Ch...
10/15/2026

October 15-30, 1942 was the fund raising campaign for Tacoma's War Chest. The War Chest was a branch of the Community Chest that specifically funded wartime charities, such as the USO and refugee relief groups. Part of the publicity for the upcoming drive was a play that emphasized that volunteers would be going to homes and businesses to collect donations and pledges for the drive.The campaign was very successful, it went over the top of the goal at $369,822, two days before the end of the drive.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

10/14/2026

We hope you've enjoyed our "Moving a Museum" video series, which has given us the opportunity to share interesting artifacts from our collection while we've been in the process of packing, moving, and getting settled in our new permanent museum location in the Brewery Blocks! Stay tuned for news about our opening soon!

In this last installment of the video series, our curator Elizabeth Korsmo shares the story behind early issues of the Lincolnian and Tahoma student magazines, from Lincoln and Stadium high schools, dating back over a century. Enjoy!

Tomorrow at the Washington State History Museum!
10/14/2026

Tomorrow at the Washington State History Museum!

Address

2122 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA
98402

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+12534723738

Website

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