EXHIBITS

Tacoma’s Civil Rights Struggle: African Americans Leading the Way

President John F. Kennedy at the White House with African American leaders, June 21, 1963. Tacoma’s Jack Tanner stands behind Kennedy, his hands on a chair. (Washington State Historical Society)

August 18 through December 7

The South was not the only place where Americans were denied equal rights. Right here in Washington, as little as 35 years ago, Americans couldn’t get jobs or housing because of their color. The national civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s helped, but local leaders fought for equal rights in their own way. Learn how in Tacoma’s Civil Rights Struggle: African Americans Leading the Way. The exhibit explores the trials and tribulations of the civil rights movement in the City of Destiny. The struggles of local activists are brought to life through pictures, interviews, artifacts and more, many not seen in half a century. You will also see how the equal rights effort continues today.

This exhibit is generously supported by Tacoma Civil Rights Project, Pierce County, City of Tacoma, Comcast, Russell Investments and Weyerhaeuser Company.

The West the Railroads Made

Brochure promoting travel along the route of the Great Northern Railway, 1933. (Washington State Historical Society)

NOW through January 24, 2009

Take a fresh look at what the iron road created in The West the Railroads Made. Learn about how this one form of transportation reshaped the West and helped create a truly continental nation.

The West the Railroads Made recounts how the idea of a Pacific railroad grew through the 1840s and 1850s, how it came to life in the second half of the 19th century, and how it reconceived itself to survive new challenges by the late 20th century. It features more than 80 artifacts, including rare railroad ephemera, photographs, paintings and other three-dimensional pieces.

Organized by the Washington State Historical Society and the Barriger Railroad Library of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri, St. Louis.

This exhibit is generously supported by M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, TTX, Click! Cable TV, Union Pacific Railroad, Ajax Foundation, The News Tribune, Tacoma Rail, Port of Tacoma, Dimmer Family Foundation, Candelaria Fund, Patricia & David J. Nierenberg Family Fund, FreightCar America, Inc. and Great Northern Asset Management, LLC.

Faces of Leadership: Presidential Portraiture

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visits Tacoma, October 1937 (Washington State Historical Society).

NOW through October 5

Since the founding of our nation in 1776, artists far and wide have created images of our presidents and displayed them for all to see. These creative works surpass mere physical representations, providing historical continuity and a visible legacy for our nation. The exhibition features over 30 artworks and images from the permanent collections of the Washington State Historical Society, including sculpture busts, coins and medallions, and snapshots of presidents on the move. Organized by the Washington State Historical Society.

Curators’ Choice

Orange peel basket, selected by Lynette Miller, head of collections (Washington State Historical Society).

NOW through December 14

Sneak a peak into the inner workings of a museum curator’s mind with Curators’ Choice. Six of our own staff members share their personal favorites from the collection of the Washington State Historical Society—whether they are historically significant, personally interesting or simply pretty! Thirty artifacts will be on display, including a contemporary basket made of dried orange peels, created by a well-known Puget Sound basketmaker; a first American edition volume of the Koran, read by fur traders posted at the Columbia River; and a lamp shaped like the Space Needle, a souvenir from the 1960 Seattle World’s Fair. Organized by the Washington State Historical Society.

Listen as Ed Nolan, head of special collections, talks about his Curators’ Choice picks on KUOW’s Sound Focus.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Curators’ Choice Gallery Talk Series

Friday, August 1, @ 2 PM

Learn more about the interesting items on display in the exhibit Curators’ Choice by attending a gallery talk. Curators and guides will discuss the stories behind the artifacts and why they were selected. Registration is not required. Free with museum admission.

COLUMBIAKids Magazine Launch Party

Fun, FREE, Family Event!

Thursday, August 14, from 3-8 PM

Help us celebrate the launch of the Washington State Historical Society’s new online magazine for kids, COLUMBIAKids. Meet the writers, illustrators, and people who inspired some of the features in the premiere issue. Enjoy author readings, special “back story” presentations, and a book signing with Northwest Book Swap authors, a program by COLUMBIAKids encouraging children to read Pacific Northwest authors’ books and write a book review to the author.

Joining us for a special set of Northwest Book Swap readings are award-winning authors Sherman Alexie, author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian; Kirby Larson, author of Hattie Big Sky; Bonny Becker, author of A Visitor for Bear; and Anjali Banerjee, author of Looking for Bapu.

Guest presenters include: Kelley Balcomb-Bartok of the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor, Washington; Dr. Jonathan Elias, director of the Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Joanna Sikes, director of special projects for the Chihuly Studio in Seattle. This program is open to the public, and FREE with museum admission.

The premiere issue of COLUMBIAKids was made possible through a grant from the Verizon Foundation.

SAVE THE DATE

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Tacoma’s Civil Rights Struggle: Film Screening and Panel Discussion

Anna Allen, first female African American bus driver in Tacoma, Wash., sits behind the wheel of her bus, 1970-79. (Washington State Historical Society)

Sunday, September 7, from 3-5 PM

Catch a screening of the companion film to the exhibit Tacoma’s Civil Rights Struggle: African Americans Leading the Way. Produced by award-winning documentary filmmaker Sidney Lee, the film features interviews with 10 participants in Tacoma’s equal rights effort, including Tacoma’s first African American mayor, Harold Moss. After the film, join Thomas Dixon, president emeritus of the Tacoma Urban League, Barbara Johns, curator and museum consultant, and Lyle Quasim, chief of staff for the Pierce County executive, among others, for a panel discussion. Panel members will discuss their personal efforts towards equal rights as well as answer questions from audience participants. This program is open to the public, and FREE with museum admission.

Extended hours at the History Museum end August 25

Until August 25, the museum will be open Mondays from 10 AM-5 PM, returning to regularly scheduled hours August 26, when opening hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM-5 PM, with extended hours and free admission every Thursday night 5-8 PM, and Sundays from Noon - 5 PM.

..

The Washington State History Museum, flagship of the Washington State Historical Society, is located at 1911 Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, just off 1-5. The museum presents exhibits, programs, and events that bring to life the stories of Washington’s history. For more information, including hours and admission rates, please call 1-888-BE-THERE (1-888-238-4373), or visit our web site, WashingtonHistory.org.

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM, with extended hours and free admission every Thursday night, 5 – 8 PM; Sunday NOON – 5 PM. From Through August 25, 2008, the museum will also be open Monday, 10 AM - 5 PM. Admission: $25 for families (two adults and up to four children); $8 for adults; $7 for seniors, age 60 and above; $6 for students and military with valid ID; children, age 5 and below, and members are always FREE.