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Historic Fort Steilacoom
Category: Museum (40 listings)
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Today, four of the fort's original buildings remain on site, open to visitors and school groups alike. The post's Catholic chapel was moved in 1864 and currently serves an active congregational gathering place in downtown Steilacoom, not far from the fort.
Beginning in 1983, local volunteers raised funds and donated generously of their time and skills to renovate and restore the original officer's homes that had been left in disrepair. This dedicated group formed the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association to not only restore the buildings, but also interpret the site for future generations.
The association currently sponsors monthly events and activities promoting the history and personalities associated with Ft. Steilacoom. The HFSA is a non-profit organization run by volunteers whose Board meets each month to determine the direction of the fort's interpretation. These volunteers host various work parties, living history demonstrations, guided tours of the fort buildings, and they maintain and operate the fort's museum and gift store.
- Historic Fort Steilacoom 9601 Steilacoom Blvd SW Lakewood WA 98498 Tel: (360) 568-1372
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Have you heard Write a recommendation
The history - what a great way to spend an afternoon.
This grouping of four buildings remains from the first and original official US presence in Washington Territory. It is also the place where Chief Leschi was confined after the so-called Indian Wars (Google the name 'Chief Leschi' for more info)
Great Place!
I volunteered there for my senior project and it was very cool! Gideon spooked me with some of his stories. But it was fun looking at history.
This little museum is absolutely FABULOUS! It contains four of the last five remaining structures of Old Fort Steilacoom (circa 1849 - 1868). This historic site used to be the best kept secret in all of Pierce County. Now that is all rapidly changing! Historic Fort Steilacoom was restored by, and is completely staffed and maintained by, a dedicated All Volunteer Work Force. Not one penny of any donation or grant goes to either the staffing, operation, or maintaining of HFS. This is all lovingly supplied by the museum association itself. Everything on display has either been purchased expessly for, or loaned to, Historic Fort Steilacoom by it's core of dedicated volunteers. This in itself is totally unheard of now-a-days. At HFS you have all this dedication in addition also to the oldest grouping of historic buildings in Western Washington. Definitely worth making it the final destination of any trip over to Lakewood!
If you ever get the chance, check this place out in September and December when they have their "living histories." I've been to Colonial Williamsburg, but one can have the same experience here, right in our own backyard! The displays are excellent and the staff is extremely knowledgeable; and, they're volunteers, too! Check it out, especially on Sundays.
This place is really, really, cool! I have been back East and even toured Fort Point and Alcatraz in San Francisco and old forts in Arizona but this place has most of them beat hands down! Four old fort buildings loaded to the brim with actual period furnishings and soldier equipment. Two fine Napoleon field pieces too. Their gift shop is one of the best around. They not only sell the usual souvenier items, but antiques too! All I can say is,"GO and see it for yourself!" It's worth the drive and the Lakewood Mall is just a few miles away.
Historic Fort Steilacoom, the 1849 U.S. military Fort, has four buildings with displays of army life of the officers, enlisted men and wives who accompanied them. The Living History events such as Mrs. Casey's Tea and Christmas at the Fort bring this history alive. The replicated sutlers store, cannons, video history, and diorama of the original fort show the history. A visit here is an excellent walk back in time.
Very unique original and oldest military quarters in this area. The staff tending to it are friendly, knowledgable of the history of Ft. Steilacoom, and actively preserving the old buildings. The interpretive center has a well rounded viewage of the local and military history. Did I mention the freindly ghosts?
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