March 5 History Talk: Who Was O. C. Lacey? A Century-Old Mystery Solved!

Join Olympia Tumwater Foundation for the next installment of our Schmidt House History Talk series as Lacey Museum Curator Erin Quinn Valcho reveals the mysterious past of O. C. Lacey.

Although not Lacey’s founder, O. C. Lacey has been a mysterious historical figure for more than a century. After rising to prominence in Olympia and leaving his name on the Lacey post office, he left town following a public scandal in 1895 and was never heard from again. While researchers uncovered where he went after leaving Washington, no one had ever discovered where he came from—until now.

Where: Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater

When: Noon, Thursday, March 5, 2026 (doors open at 11:30)

Cost: Free (donations gratefully accepted)

Questions? Contact Karen Johnson at 360-890-2299 or karen@olytumfoundation.org.