Model Ship Returns to the Schmidt House After 50+ Years Absence

From the Archives, HistoryLeave a comment

 

In June 1896, Scientific American magazine published an article titled “The New Double-Deck-Turret Battleship Kearsarge.” The article described the dimensions and armaments of a new class of U.S. battleships, and included an artist’s rendering and a deck plan of the ship.

Peter G. Schmidt, just sixteen at the time, was intrigued by the new battleship design—so much so, that he decided to build a scale model of the ship. Unlike today, though, he couldn’t go down to the local hobby shop and buy a kit. Instead, he studied the plan, the picture, and the text, and built his own model—entirely from scratch.

Details

Fragrant hybrid tea roses in the Centennial Garden

Foundation2 Comments

Collage_Fotor

What could be more disappointing than poking your nose down into a sumptuous rose, taking a deep sniff, and coming up empty? No fragrance!  – You might as well be growing dahlias (no offense to you dahlia growers).

When people learn that you have been growing roses for 30 years, as I have, they often comment: “…these modern roses are not as fragrant as the roses I remember when I was young”. Any honest Rosarian will have to admit that there is some truth to this statement. The Old Garden Roses, the ones your grandmother nurtured in her garden, possessed an overpowering fragrance. This fragrance to die for was part of their immense charm. In fact in olden times roses, and the valuable perfume they contained, were often important objects of commerce and even conflicts such as the “War of the Roses” in 15th century England.

Details

LA Times visits Tumwater Falls Park

Foundation, Tumwater Falls ParkLeave a comment

Los Angeles Times¹ travel writer Brian Clark recently visited Tumwater Falls Park while researching an article on weekend getaways in South Puget Sound. Moira Davin from Visit Olympia (formerly OLT Visitor & Convention Bureau) arranged Brian’s media tour and selected the Park as a “must see.” A former resident of Olympia, Brian has fond memories of the area and gets back whenever he can.

Details

WSU Grad Student Finds Liquid Gold in Foundation Archives

Foundation, From the Archives, History1 Comment

WSU grad student Megan Ockerman holds original advertising artwork from the Olympia Brewing Company. Finding a thesis subject for a master’s degree in History can be a daunting task. Professors prefer subjects that are interesting, previously unresearched, yet with plenty of research material available, and open to new interpretations. Olympia resident Megan Ockerman, who already…

Details

Guided Tumwater History Walking Tours at Tumwater Falls Park: The new season has begun

History, Tumwater Falls Park, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Are you ready for a historic adventure?  The Olympia Tumwater Foundation’s “Heritage Builders” program invites you to a free guided walk through history with local historian and Public History Manager, Don Trosper.  The 2016 weekly tours are offered every Thursday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 now through September 15. You’ll begin at the Falls Park…

Details

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

From the Archives, History, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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,

Details