Tacoma Historical Society Collection

The Tacoma Historical Society began to take shape as early as 1989, but was formally established in 1990. The Washington State Historical Society was planning to build a new facility on Pacific Avenue. Tacoma historians and history buffs, realizing that Tacoma-centric artifacts would not figure prominently in plans for the new museum, formed the Society out of the need for a repository that would help Tacoma tell its story to visitors and future generations. Though the establishment of a Museum of Tacoma History has long been a goal for the Tacoma Historical Society, the organization focused mainly on educational opportunities during its early years. Monthly forums featured speakers who focused on a wide variety of topics ? all in an effort to stir excitement in the community for the many stories that were yet untold about Tacoma ? its� early years through the 20th century to present-day.