Join us for another great free history talk on Thursday, January 2nd — our first talk of the new year! About History Talks Join us in Tumwater at noon on the first Thursday of each month for an hour-long history talk. We’ll feature captivating programs on social history or natural history, each presented by a […]
Join us for another great free history talk on Thursday, February 6th! About History Talks Join us in Tumwater at noon on the first Thursday of each month for an hour-long history talk. We’ll feature captivating programs on social history or natural history, each presented by a recognized expert. February 6 History Talk: Whatever Happened […]
History talks continue this spring at the Schmidt House! Join us each month for a free hour-long talk on social or natural history, each presented by a recognized expert. Talks begin at noon on the first Thursday of the month. March 6: Generationally-Linked Archaeology in Our Region Noted anthropologist and archaeologist Dr. Dale Croes […]
History talks continue this spring at the Schmidt House! Join us each month for a free hour-long talk on social or natural history, each presented by a recognized expert. Talks begin at noon on the first Thursday of the month. April 3: The 1883 Schwatka Expedition to the Yukon River In 1881, the U.S. Army […]
History talks continue this spring at the Schmidt House! Join us each month for a free hour-long talk on social or natural history, each presented by a recognized expert. Talks begin at noon on the first Thursday of the month. May 1: Spring Birds Writer and long-time bird observer George Walter will offer many amusing […]
Discover the Legacy of the Centennial Rose Garden Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, TumwaterThursday, June 5, 2025Doors open at 11:30 AM | Program begins at NoonFree Admission – Donations Welcome! In 1988, the Olympia Rose Society brought a beautiful vision to life on the grounds of the historic Schmidt House—the Centennial Rose Garden. Officially […]
Ed Echtle, oral historian for Legacy Washington, will talk about his recent book New Land, which he co-authored with John Hughes. The book is a collection of conversations with Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian refugees who resettled in Washington after Governor Dan Evans opened Washington’s door, giving the refugees a new land and a new home. […]
Do all roads lead to Tumwater? Some of the most important in Washington’s history certainly do. Former state historical society director Dave Nicandri will share the story of the original Cowlitz Trail, the route that brought the Simmons-Bush emigrant party to the falls of the Deschutes River and its surroundings. This epic 19th-century journey will […]
Local historian Sandra Crowell shares the powerful life story of Helen Sanders, a Native American woman who confronted the injustices surrounding land ownership and treaty rights. Helen’s journey highlights her deep connection to her heritage, the challenges faced by her family, and the resilience that ultimately led her to become an activist. Through landmark legal […]
Join us each month for a free hour-long talk on social or natural history, each presented by a recognized expert. All talks will be at noon. Doors open at 11:30. First-come, first-seated until we reach capacity. January 8 Talk On Thursday, January 8, local historian and author Steve Lundin will discuss his book, The Friendly […]
Join Olympia Tumwater Foundation for the next installment of our Schmidt House History Talk series as historian Dave Welch shares the dramatic and inspiring story of the Nathaniel Orr Home in Steilacoom. On May 13, 1996, the historic Orr Home was blown off its temporary supports and slid down the slope of its original homesite—a […]
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 […]
