WELCOME TO THE OLYMPIA TUMWATER FOUNDATION
Lt. Gov. Denny Heck visits the Schmidt House Archives
WHAT WE DO
The Olympia Tumwater Foundation’s mission is to honor the legacy of the Schmidt family by maintaining and providing Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls for public use, awarding annual scholarships, and preserving the historic Schmidt House and records of the Olympia Brewing Company, one of the Northwest’s most iconic breweries.
The most ambitious project undertaken by OTF was construction in 1962 of a 15-acre park along the falls of the Deschutes River.
Since awarding its first college scholarship in 1967, OTF has awarded more than $2.2 million in scholarships and grants and helped hundreds of students pursue undergraduate degrees.
The Centennial Rose Garden, on the grounds of the Schmidt House in Tumwater, WA, is arguably the most significant rose garden between Tacoma and Portland. It has a rich history, having been dedicated in June 1989 as a Washington Centennial project by the Olympia Rose Society.
In 1983, OTF acquired Tumwater’s elegant Schmidt House, built in 1904, for Olympia Brewing Company founder Leopold Schmidt and his wife Johanna.
NEWS & EVENTS
Schmidt House history lectures and tours canceled until further notice…
Out of an abundance of caution and the guidance issued by medical and governmental officials regarding the Covid 19 virus threat, the “Heritage Builders” local history programs at the Schmidt House in Tumwater are being canceled until further notice. This includes our popular noon history talk series for the remainder of the season through June, and our guided monthly Schmidt House Tours with Bob Crim.
Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls is currently open from 8am to 8pm every day.
This November 7 through December 7, the Olympia Tumwater Foundation presents an art show featuring over 50 original advertising artworks produced for the Olympia Brewing Company during the 1930s through 1950s.
Schmidt House history lectures and tours canceled until further notice…
This November 7 through December 7, the Olympia Tumwater Foundation presents an art show featuring over 50 original advertising artworks produced for the Olympia Brewing Company during the 1930s through 1950s.
History & Nature Center at Brewery Park
The Olympia Tumwater Foundation is pleased to announce plans for a new History and Nature Center to enhance visitors’ appreciation of the rich cultural resources and spectacular natural beauty of Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls.
Vintage Thurston County
Browse thousands of digitized images of the Olympia Brewing Company, Schmidt family, and Thurston County from the Schmidt House Archives.