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Historic Fort Steilacoom
9601 Steilacoom Blvd SW
Lakewood WA 98498
For email or mailing address: Contact Us
July Talk: The Myth of the M1855 Rifle Musket: Weapons of the Coeur d’Alene War of 1858
/in News/by Walter NearyThree talks focus on Women’s History Month in March
/in News/by fortsteilacoomThe lives of 19th Century women in the Pacific Northwest will be celebrated in March as Historic Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood marks Women’s History Month.
The programs on three consecutive Saturdays, March 13, 20 and 27, focus on
There is a charge for the virtual programs; the fort’s privately managed four buildings are 165 years old and require considerable care so all support is much appreciated.
All events start at 2pm:
March 13: Airing Your Dirty Laundry
Historical Interpreter and Museum Professional Peggy Barchi presents “Airing Your Dirty Laundry.” Learn about the daily grind that army laundresses endured and the skills it took to be one. Get your ticket here.
March 20: In Her Shoes: Tracing the Footsteps of Pierce County Women in the mid-1800s
Public Historian Claire Keller-Scholz presents “In Her Shoes: Tracing the Footsteps of Pierce County Women in the mid-1800s.” Learn about the women and girls who lived on the Puget womenSound around 1850. Get your ticket here.
March 27: Women’s Work in Washington Territory
Tacoma Historical Society’s Curator, Elizabeth Korsmo, presents “Women’s Work in Washington Territory.” Learn about the day-to-day lives of women in the 1850’s to 1860’s. Get your ticket here.
Fort Steilacoom 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 a beacon of American power and promise, promoting the migration of settlers to Washington Territory and securing American interest in the region.
The mission of the nonprofit Historic Fort Steilacoom Association is to share and preserve the first U.S. Army post in Puget Sound. The four surviving buildings are currently closed to tours but reopening is expected this spring.
For more information, visit https://historicfortsteilacoom.org.
Historic Fort Steilacoom is located on the grounds of Western State Hospital at 9601 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
Get a letter from a 19th century soldier
/in News/by Walter NearyHere’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.