Get a letter from a 19th century soldier

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Here’s a new way to enjoy the past: Get a letter from a 19th Century soldier.

The re-enactors at Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood, WA, will be offering hand-written letters in their historical personas of soldiers who were actually stationed at the first fort in Washington Territory. If you make a donation through Feb. 11 at this website, you can enjoy your own personal letter. ((note: the offer expired in mid-February))

At Historic Fort Steilacoom our mission is to share and preserve the first U.S. Army post in the Puget Sound region with everyone. We have expenses, everything from the cost of exhibits to insurance. And we haven’t had as many visitors to drop off donations. As a non-profit organization, we can’t educate young and old alike without the support of our community and people like you!

Please consider donating to help keep our local history alive for generations to come.

As a thank you for your donation, you will receive a personalized handwritten letter on reproduction stationary, from one of our volunteer reenactors as their historical persona. Get a
glimpse into the lives of the men stationed at Fort Steilacoom and experience what it must have been like to receive a letter from a 19th century soldier in the field.

Fort Steilacoom occupies an important position in the history of early America and the Pacific Northwest. The fort played a significant role in the settling of Washington Territory. Beginning with its construction in 1849 and ending with its closure in 1868, Fort Steilacoom served as beacon of American power and promise, promoting the migration of settlers to Washington & securing American interest in the region.

Historic Fort Steilacoom Association is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

The fort is not presently open but you can always visit by turning right at the main entrance of Western State Hospital at 9601 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98498. You’ll recognize the fort by its cannons.

Warmest Wishes for the New Year

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Well, 2020 was a historic year whether you volunteer at a museum or not. We missed seeing visitors at the fort. Our living history interpreters love to show you firsthand what it was like to be a soldier, or civilian, or someone else associated with the fort. We created these videos to let you know how much we miss you .. and how happy we are for a new year.

Of course, in our case, the new year is 1859!

And here’s another version with the same re-enactors. We’re really grateful for everyone who participated and loved ones and friends who came along. If you’d like to share these videos or leave a supportive comment, you’ll find them on our Facebook page as well.

The Way We Ate

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Following the Historic Fort Steilacoom annual meeting, food historian Jacqueline B. Williams, author of The Way We Ate, Pacific Northwest Cooking, 1843-1900 (WSU Press) will make a presentation on Sunday, November 15th.
Jacqueline plans to share with us what would have been available in Steilacoom and its environs to observe Thanksgiving on November 26, 1863, and how the meal would have been most likely prepared.
In her book she describes cooking and dining practices from the earliest years of settlement to the time when railroads transported the latest ingredients and utensils, shedding significant light on a mundane aspect of our past.
In early October of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued his proclamation calling on the nation to observe a day of Thanksgiving on the last Thursday in November. This proclamation is credited with establishing Thanksgiving as a national holiday.
This presentation will follow short reports and election of officers. To register for the annual membership meeting and/or the lecture, email [email protected].
This public program is funded in part by the City of Lakewood Lodging Tax Grant.  Donations are always welcome and can be made through our website, www.historicfortsteilacoom.org/support.

Steilacoom People and the Land

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Historic Fort Steilacoom continues its 2020 lecture series on Sunday October 18th via Zoom. Tribal Chair Danny Marshall of the Steilacoom Indian Tribe will present “Steilacoom People and the Land”. His lecture will begin at 2 p.m.
In 1849 Fort Steilacoom was established on the traditional lands of the Steilacoom Indian Tribe. What impact did this, along with the arrival of Territorial Governor Isaac Ingalls Stevens and the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854, have on the Steilacoom People and their land? Join us as Tribal Chair Danny Marshall shares not only what the impacts were, but how the Steilacoom People have dealt with them and their struggle to continue as a tribe.
Since there are limited spaces available for this free lecture, current Historic Fort Steilacoom members will have the exclusive opportunity to register on a first-come-first served basis until Sunday, October 4th.
Beginning on October 5th, provided there are still spaces available, registration will be opened to the general public. Registration will close on October 14th. You will receive your Zoom invitation via email after the close of registration.
This public program is funded in part by the City of Lakewood Lodging Tax Grant. Donations are always welcome and can be made through our website, www.historicfortsteilacoom.org/support.

Fort Steilacoom Closed Through October

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Historic Fort Steilacoom will continue to remain closed for the month of October, due to COVID-19 concerns. This means that the museum will not be open to the public.

We hope that everyone will stay safe and healthy. We look forward to a time when we can all return safely to regular operating hours. Thank you for your continued support.

Fort Steilacoom Closed Through July

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Historic Fort Steilacoom will continue to remain closed for the month of July, due to COVID-19 concerns. This means that the museum will not be open to the public. We hope that everyone will stay safe and healthy. We look forward to a time when we can all return safely to regular operating hours. Thank you for your continued support.

FORT STEILACOOM- CLOSED THROUGH MAY

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Historic Fort Steilacoom will continue to remain closed for the month of May, due to COVID-19 concerns. This means that the museum will not be open to the public on the first Sunday of May and the Memorial Day weekend event has also been cancelled.

We hope that everyone will stay safe and healthy. We look forward to a time when we can all return safely to regular operating hours. Thank you for your continued support.

Fort Steilacoom- Closed Through April

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After much discussion, the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association has made the difficult decision to close for the month of April, in light of the developing situation over COVID-19. This means that the museum will not be open to the public on the first Sunday of April and the Smithsonian Museum Day & Annual Book Sale event has also been cancelled.

We hope that everyone will stay safe and healthy. We look forward to a time when we can all return safely to regular operating hours. Thank you for your continued support.

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day & Annual Used Book Sale- CANCELLED

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UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO CONCERNS OVER COVID-19 THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE BUT WE HOPE THAT EVERYONE WILL STAY SAFE & HEALTHY.

Lakewood, WA – On Saturday, April 4, watch the museum come to life as living historians participate in a national event, coordinated by the Smithsonian Magazine.  Volunteers live and work as soldiers, officers, wives, children and friends of the garrison. 

Complimentary admission to Lakewood residents and those with Museum Day passes.  To get your own pass, visit https://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-2020/ for more details.  Quarters 1, 2, 3, and 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Additionally, the book sale will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. and be held in Quarters 2.  See updated displays and get bargains on a wide variety of books.  Complimentary admission, but donations are appreciated. Download the full News Release.

Notable Pioneer Winters

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Lakewood, WA – On Sunday, January 19, Historian and author Dennis Larsen will speak on winter storms affecting life at the fort in 1846, 1852, 1861, 1880 with a brief mention of weather events of 1950, 1962 and 2012.  Quarters 2 at 2 p.m.  Complimentary admission to lecture, donations are accepted, and guided tours available for the standard fee. DOWNLOAD THE ENTIRE RELEASE.