Mildred Parker, Last Grandchild of Olympia Brewing Founder Leopold F. Schmidt, Dies at 103

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A recent donation from the estate of a New Jersey resident has intrigued our archives staff.

In 1912, a daughter was born to Leopold F. Schmidt Jr. (son of Leopold Sr., founder of the Olympia brewery) and his wife, Louise Barksdale Schmidt. The daughter was named Mildred Virginia Schmidt, and she grew up in the family home in Olympia. Mildred died recently at the age of 103, and a box of photos from her estate arrived at our office. We’ll use several of those photos to illustrate Mildred’s life,

Entertaining Videos on Tumwater History

Foundation, From the Archives, History, Tumwater Falls ParkLeave a comment

In a cooperative effort with the City of Tumwater, the Olympia Tumwater Foundation’s local history program partnered with Thurston Community Television (TCTV) to produce twenty, three minute videos focusing on Tumwater’s rich history.

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Local historian and author, Don Trosper, hosts these short videos featuring music, historic photos, and compelling details about names you may hear and see around Tumwater today, like George Bush, Michael T. Simmons, the Crosby family, and more. Don says, “There is more than enough material to produce many more of these utilizing the rich resources of the foundation archives at the Schmidt House and the City of Tumwater files from Henderson House.  It is great fun and will hopefully be helpful to students in history classes, local area residents and visitors from outside our local area.”

 

Click on the underlined links below to enjoy Don’s folksy interpretation of Tumwater’s past:

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The History of the West Begins in the East

The Founders of Tumwater and their trip over the Oregon Trail.  Why make such a trip?

Roses are peaking at the Centennial Garden

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Modern ever-blooming roses, while flowering throughout summer, tend to exhibit several cyclic seasonal peaks when most or all of the rose bushes are blooming at the same time. These peaks generally occur in early summer (June), mid-summer (mid- to late-July), and autumn (September-October). These are the most spectacular times to visit the Centennial Rose Garden.