New Land: Southeast Asian Refugees Finding Home in Washington In 1975, CIA employees and South Vietnamese civilians were clamoring to leave Vietnam for sanctuary in the United States. California balked at resettling refugees, but Washington Governor Dan Evans opened our doors—wide. Since then, tens of thousands of Southeast Asians have made Washington home. Oral historian […]
Tumwater’s Historic Trails and Roads Do all roads lead to Tumwater? Certainly some of the most important in the history of the state of Washington do. Former state historical society director Dave Nicandri will describe the location of the original Cowlitz Trail that took our community's founding Simmons-Bush emigrant party to the Deschutes River falls […]
The Sacajawea Chapter - Daughters of the American Revolution, in partnership with George Rogers Clark - Sons of the American Revolution, and Masonic Memorial Park, located in Tumwater, on December 13, 2025 - at 1 pm, to pay tribute to our local fallen veterans with a small ceremony. The ceremony will take place at the […]
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived in what we now call the United States, constituting distinct political nations with their own systems of governance. Join Kyle Pittman for a talk that will seek to explore the key concept that underpins the existence of Tribal Nations: sovereignty. It will also cover various aspects of history […]
On the darkest night of the year, we are celebrating the “Light in the Dark” recent exhibit opening with Illuminate Oly’s light artists. The museum will be open late to celebrate light in darkness. Our recent exhibit “Light in the Dark” features six local artists who are working with light in different ways, and explores […]
History Talk, Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater Noon, Thursday, January 8, 2026 The Friendly People: The Story of the Griffin/Steamboat Area, from Early Native Peoples to Modern Times Local historian and author Steve Lundin will share insights from his book The Friendly People: The Story of the Griffin/Steamboat Area, From Early Native Peoples […]
Journey back to 1775 with Art Dolan and listen to the words which sparked the American Revolution, resulting in the Declaration of Independence. This is not a listing of facts, rather, a revealing story of key moments resulting in a document which changed the lives of every American, forever. Hybrid Format: Come in person to […]
This live storytelling event that explores the evolution of warrior societies in Tribal communities through the voices of Indigenous veterans and active-duty military across three generations. Events will be held on Tohono O’odham and Yaqui Tribal territory (Tucson, AZ) and Squaxin Island Tribal territory (Olympia, WA).
History Talk, Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater Noon, Thursday, February 5, 2026 The Fall and Rise of the Orr Home On May 13, 1996 the Nathaniel Orr Home in Steilacoom was blown off temporary supports and slid down the slope of the homesite. This is the story of the recovery of the home […]
Monthly History Talks at the Schmidt House continue! Join us in Tumwater at noon on the first Thursday of each month for an hour-long history talk. We’ll feature captivating programs on social history or natural history, each presented by a recognized expert. March 5: Who Was O. C. Lacey? A Century-Old Mystery Solved! Although not […]
