Fort Steilacoom is located on the grounds of the Western State Hospital, overseen by the Washington State Department of Social & Health Services and cared for and paid for by the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association, (HFSA). In 1978, the final four remaining buildings were in deplorable condition. Plans for the hospital included demolition of the fort structures. Preservation efforts, in the early 1980s, by the Washington State Historic Preservation Office, Heritage League of Pierce County, and HFSA restored these officers’ quarters, which became the Fort Steilacoom Museum.

HFSA began in 1983, when local volunteers raised funds and donated generously of their time and skills to renovate and restore the original officer’s homes that had been left in disrepair. The purpose of HFSA is to restore and preserve historic Fort Steilacoom; to perpetuate the significance of the site for the benefit of the public by operating a museum complex and a strong educational program stressing the role of the Fort in Northwest history.

It’s worth noting that this is an experiment. In 49 other states, other such U.S. Army ‘first forts’ are managed by government agencies – usually historical, cultural or recreational. Washington has chosen to leave Puget Sound’s first fort in the hands of volunteers. We have far fewer programs than other first forts that have appropriate resources.

As we continue into the future, The Historic Fort Steilacoom Association seeks to interpret and preserve the fort’s remaining structures and remind current and future generations of the fort’s contributions to the history of the United States.