Schmidt House Tour
2025-03-11 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater, WA, 98501, United States
Join us for a guided tour of one of Tumwater’s most iconic homes, the Schmidt House, built in 1904 for Leopold Schmidt, founder of the Olympia Brewing Company, and his family. Your tour guide will take you through four levels of the house from the basement to the top floor. Find yourself immersed in the rich history Tumwater has to offer. The first floor is ADA accessible, but the rest of the house requires climbing stairs.

History Talk: The 1883 Schwatka Expedition to the Yukon River
2025-04-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater, WA, 98501, United States
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 asked Congress to fund an exploration of the interior of Alaska. Congress refused, so an unsanctioned party of six soldiers and one civilian (a Washingtonian) disappeared into the Arctic wilderness in 1883. Local historian Dennis Larsen tells the harrowing story of their five-month adventure, based on the explorers’ journals.

Date: Thursday, April 3
Time: Noon (doors open at 11:30)
Place: Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater
Admission: Free!
Ages: 16+
Attendance is free. Doors open at 11:30 AM. First come, first seated until room capacity is reached (80).
The Schmidt House is located at 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater.

History Talk: Spring Birds
2025-05-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater, WA, 98501, United States
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 stories about watching and listening to birds in spring—what are our feathered friends up to at this time of year? George will also offer advice on local birding trips for you to enjoy.

Date: Thursday, May 1
Time: Noon (doors open at 11:30)
Place: Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater
Admission: Free!
Ages: 16+
Attendance is free. Doors open at 11:30 AM. First come, first seated until room capacity is reached (80).
The Schmidt House is located at 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater.

Schmidt House History Talk—Centennial Rose Garden
2025-06-05 12:00 - 13:00 | WA
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 recognized as a Washington Centennial Project in 1989, this living tribute continues to bloom with purpose and pride.

Join nationally recognized rose expert Gary Ritchie for a fascinating presentation on the garden’s origins, thoughtful design, and the vibrant mix of historic and modern rose varieties it holds.
Weather permitting, enjoy a guided stroll through the garden following the talk—take in the sights, scents, and stories of a rare legacy still in full bloom.
Seating is first come, first served.

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

Summer at the Schmidt—Glam in the Garden. Giving with Heart.
2025-08-09 17:00 - 20:30 | WA
Thank you to everyone who attended Summer at the Schmidt, 2025!
You’ll find photos on our Flickr album here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCrvd9
Presented by Obee Credit Union.

Supported by

Thank you, Tumwater Parks & Recreation Arts Program, for supporting this event!

Riverwalk Tour
2025-09-16 17:00 - 18:00 | WA
Join us for a free Riverwalk Tour led by local tour guide, Don Trosper—offered twice a month from April through September! Each tour begins at 5 pm, departing from the park office at 110 Deschutes Parkway SW in Tumwater.

These fun, informative walks are family-friendly and open to all ages, proudly sponsored by the City of Tumwater. Come learn more about the local landscape and enjoy the beauty of the Deschutes River!

History Talks at the Schmidt House: October 2: New Land: Southeast Asian Refugees Finding Home in Washington
2025-10-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater, WA, 98501, United States
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. Join us to hear these inspiring stories.
Where: Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater
When: Noon, Thursday, October 2, 2025
Cost: Free! Donations are gratefully accepted.
Doors open at 11:30. First come, first seated, until room capacity is reached.
For more information, contact Karen Johnson at 360-890-2299 or karen@olytumfoundation.org.

Schmidt House Tour
2025-10-21 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-11-18 11:00 - 12:30 | Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater, WA, 98501, United States
Join us for a free guided tour of the historic Schmidt House, built in 1904 for Leopold Schmidt and his family. Explore all four levels of this remarkable home with a knowledgeable guide. Please note that while the first floor is ADA accessible, accessing the upper levels requires climbing stairs. Tours are held every other Tuesday at 11 a.m. and last approximately 90 minutes. Please register here. For more information, please contact Karen Johnson, 360-890-2299, karen@olytumfoundation.org

Schmidt House Tours
2025-11-04 11:00 - 12:30 | Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater, WA, 98501, United States

Schmidt House History Talk, November: Tumwater’s Historic Trails and Roads
2025-11-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater, WA, 98501, United States
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 be followed by an overview of the 20th-century, automobile-era roadways that opened travel to and through Tumwater. The presentation concludes with the city’s plan to mark these historic routes and other notable geographic features.

Noon, Thursday, November 6

History Talks at the Schmidt House: The Ravaged Forest: A Native Woman’s Fight for Justice
2025-12-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater, WA, 98501, United States
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 battles, she fought tirelessly to secure justice and protect the rights of her community.
