HFSA board president Walter Neary marked the 175th anniversary of Fort Steilacoom’s founding with a talk at Lakewood’s Coffee With the Mayor on Aug. 21. The event took place in a building in Fort Steilacoom Park, which had been part of the original post and is across Steilacoom Boulevard from the museum. The talk was […]
By Walter Neary The following is from the September 2024 issue of the Historic Fort Steilacoom journal. Serving as president of the board at Historic Fort Steilacoom both 20 years ago and again today has given me a unique point of view. One, I’m grateful anyone wanted me back, and two, the time away has […]
What Your Parents Knew About Local History Was Likely Wrong By Walter Neary Across the nation, many museums honor the U.S. Army while grappling with the challenging history of westward expansion. However, Fort Steilacoom Museum didn’t emerge until 1980. Even now, more than 40 years later, many people say they have never heard of Fort […]
Why Fort Steilacoom Disappeared Between 1868 and 1978 What Your Parents Knew About Local History Might Have Been Wrong By Walter Neary Across the nation, many museums honor the U.S. Army and the complex history of westward expansion. However, Fort Steilacoom Museum didn’t emerge until 1980, and even today, it’s common to meet people who […]
The next Lakewood Community Coffeehouse with Mayor Jason Whalen is Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024 at 6 p.m. Mayor Whalen is excited to welcome former Lakewood City Council member and Historic Fort Steilacoom 2020-24 board president Walter Neary. Neary will share about Historic Fort Steilacoom, which recognizes its 175th birthday this year. As part of his […]
The Historic Fort Steilacoom Association (HFSA) is thrilled to announce the acquisition of artifacts belonging to Private Christopher M. Mahon, an Irish-born soldier stationed at Fort Steilacoom in 1849. This remarkable discovery sheds light on the lives of early military personnel and their enduring connection to the Puget Sound region. Mahon, a member of Company […]
Fort Steilacoom’s 2nd annual Old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration and free open house will be noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 7. Last year, people told us they appreciated a free, family-oriented event. So we’re doing it again, in honor of the 175th anniversary of our founding this year! View our historic U.S. Army post […]
Living history can bring the past to life vividly in a myriad of ways – such as demonstrating crafts from a bygone era, playing an old tune, donning period clothing and portraying an historical person. For nearly 30 years, Karen Haas has relished being a living history performer, one of the veterans of South Sound’s […]
10 am – 3 pm at Historic Fort Steilacoom, Quarters 2, in Lakewood. Want to help support the mission of Historic Fort Steilacoom? Donate your gently used material to the museum for the sale! Fiction and non-fiction books in all genres are welcome. The only criteria is that they need to be in reasonably good condition (no […]
This is a file of some previous events 2023 events Of course, we’re open the first Sunday of every month for tours. Book here. March 25, 2023: Our first Swap Meet since the pandemic. July 2, 2023: Living history to celebrate the Fourth. It’s a new event for us, and we’re excited about it. July […]