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Historic Fort Steilacoom
9601 Steilacoom Blvd SW
Lakewood WA 98498
For email or mailing address: Contact Us
Join us for a live radio broadcast on Sunday, March 22
/in News/by fortsteilacoomOn Sunday, March 22, 2026, history isn’t just a thing of the past: It’s hitting the airwaves live. Feliks Banel, well-known historian and radio personality, will bring his acclaimed show, Cascade of History, to the Commanding Officer’s Quarters at Historic Fort Steilacoom for a special live broadcast event.
The public is invited to attend in person to witness the magic of live radio. The evening begins with an exclusive pre-show “warm-up” from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, followed by the live broadcast from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
You’ll want to know all the details, you can get a lot more information from this post from The Cascadian news.
Vendors sought for swap meet, now combined with our book sale April 11
/in News/by fortsteilacoomFort Steilacoom’s biennial Reenactor Swap Meet is back!
For the first time ever, it’s combined with our annual Book Sale, so we expect even more visitors.
Learn more and sign up here:
Bathrooms will be available on site.
If you have any questions, please contact Historic Fort Steilacoom at info@historicfortsteilacoom.org.
The museum’s proceeds from this event go to maintaining four 168-year-old buildings. We thank you for your support!
Experience an 1861 Christmas at Historic Fort Steilacoom on Dec. 13, 2025
/in News/by fortsteilacoomStep back in time and experience Christmas as it was celebrated in 1861! Join Historic Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, from 4:30 to 8 p.m., as living historians bring the holiday season to life in the same buildings where it was celebrated 164 years ago.
Visitors will walk through candlelit scenes of re-enactors singing, dancing, dining, and exchanging gifts, just as the residents of Fort Steilacoom might have done in the first U.S. military post in Puget Sound. Visitors from 2025 will walk past and witness scenes as if the visitors are silent time travelers.
Though 1861 marked the beginning of the U.S. Civil War, Christmas at Fort Steilacoom was a time of celebration and social gathering, where soldiers, families, and friends came together in a festive spirit.
Ticket Information
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youth. A family of up to two adults and four youth pays $15. Proceeds support the maintenance of Fort Steilacoom’s historic buildings. Tickets are available in advance through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-at-historic-fort-steilacoom-1861-in-2025-tickets-1875537937459?aff=oddtdtcreator
This popular event often sells out, so advance purchase is highly recommended. You can check the Fort Steilacoom Facebook page for updates about tickets.
The final tour group departs at 7:10 p.m.
Fort Steilacoom is on the grounds of Western State Hospital, located at 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA 98498. Be sure to use this address to locate the fort, as GPS may direct you to nearby Fort Steilacoom Park. After entering Western State, turn right, and look for the cannon shelter and lights. Tours start at the building furthest right of the four.
About Fort Steilacoom
Fort Steilacoom was the first U.S. Army post in Puget Sound, operating from 1849 to 1868. Now managed entirely by volunteers, it holds an essential place in the settlement and early history of Washington Territory. The Historic Fort Steilacoom Association is dedicated to preserving this heritage, acknowledging the complex history of the Fort, and including diverse perspectives in its storytelling.
Learn more at www.historicfortsteilacoom.org.