The Way We Ate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Christmas at Fort Steilacoom 1859

Lakewood, WA – On December 14, Celebrate the Christmas season as living historians in period clothing present a period candle light Christmas.  The gift shop will be open for holiday shopping.  Tickets to the event will be available for purchase in the Interpretive Center/Quarters 4.  The event runs from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Visit https://historicfortsteilacoom.org/ for more details. DOWNLOAD RELEASE

Shop Amazon Smile – Support Fort Steilacoom

Did you know that when you shop for the holidays at smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1240261, AmazonSmile donates to Historic Fort Steilacoom? We appreciate your support and hope you will keep Historic Fort Steilacoom in mind this holiday season. Historic Fort Steilacoom is a 501c3 non-profit organization and your donations are tax deductible. Visit historicfortsteilacoom.org for more details.