WSHM from the Chihuly Bridge of Glass Native American beaded bags and beads color block Children enjoying the History Lab Time Connector The History Museum and the Museum of Glass color block Salish weavers in the Hall of History

Events and Programs

Museo – A Gallery Game for the Whole Family

AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY

Designed for four to eight players, MUSEO is a Bingo-style game of discovery in the Great Hall of Washington History. Ask for a packet at the information desk and let the sleuthing begin.


Hunting for Treasures in the Great Hall

AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY

Ever seen a gold nugget, a plutonium core, or an ox yoke? Keen-eyed young visitors are encouraged to pick up a treasure hunter’s challenge at the information desk and explore the Great Hall’s not-so-hidden treasures of Washington pictured there. A fun, self-directed activity for everyone.


Poker Run Benefit

SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 10 AM
Cost is $15 per rider, $20 for rider and passenger.

Join area riders for a hand of poker and a fun tour of the South Sound for a good cause. Draw your first card at the History Museum at 10am, pick up cards at three other locations, and head to the Swiss Tavern for your final card. The high poker hand splits the proceeds with the Historical Society. The Society’s half will go toward helping schools pay for field trip buses to visit the museum.

Supported and organized by the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club in partnership with the Historical Society.


First Friday Gallery Talk: Let’s Ride! Motorcycling the Pacific Northwest

FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 3 PM
Included with museum admission; FREE to members.

Join curator Redmond Barnett for a walk and talk through 100 years of motorcycling in the Northwest. Hear stories from the road and get a "behind the scenes" take on developing the Let’s Ride exhibit.

Supported and organized by the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club in partnership with the Historical Society.

SCHOLARLY SELECTIONS: Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences

This lecture series focusing on history, media, and the arts is presented by University of Washington Tacoma, Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (IAS), faculty members.

Co-sponsored by the Historical Society and Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at the University of Washington Tacoma

"Attending to the Male Serial Killer Next Door"
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 6:30 PM
at the History Museum.
Free public program.

Dr. Joanne Clarke Dillman examines two contemporary suburban films, The Lovely Bones and Disturbia, through the lens of adaptation/transformation.

"The Grass is Singing, by Doris Lessing"
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 6:30 PM
at the History Museum.
Free public program.

Doris Lessing received the Nobel Prize for literature in 2007. Dr. Nicole Blair’s presentation focuses on aesthetics.

122nd Annual Membership Meeting

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

Members, save the date! Join other members for lunch and a program featuring a state-of-the-organization address by Director Jennifer Kilmer, awards presentation, and the annual Curtiss Hill Lecture. Meet this year’s award winners and learn about their distinguished contributions to Washington state history. Members can expect a formal invitation by mail with additional details. Reservations highly recommended. For more details, contact Development Director Laura Berry: via email or 253-798-5899.


Street Scramble

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 12:30 PM

Street Scramble Poster

Street Scramble is a fun way to explore the downtown Tacoma area, and is open to families, teens, groups of friends, runners, cyclists, and walking enthusiasts. Competitive or casual...your choice!

  • Over 30 checkpoints on your map.
  • Visit the sites in any order, on foot or bike.
  • Answer the simple question for the checkpoint to prove you were there.
  • Go solo or in teams of two to five people. Team members must stay together.
  • Two choices complete the course in 90 minutes or in 3 hours.
  • Return to the finish line before time is up.
  • Refreshments and awards after the Scramble.

Download the flyer, print out the registration form, and mail it to: Or register online at Active.com!

Download the Street Scramble trifold flyer, including registration form

Download the Street Scramble poster


Model Railroad Operators' Hours

FIRST SATURDAY of every month, 11 AM-4 PM

A model train passes over a bridge in the History Museum's model railroad display, the largest permanent model train display in the state. (Washington State Historical Society)

The Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers (PSMRE), the all-volunteer organization which operates the History Museum's permanent model railroad exhibit, holds a special Operators' Hours on the first Saturday of every month. Operators' Hours is an opportunity to watch the masters at work and ask questions of the model railroad experts!

Using a fast clock (a clock six-times faster than normal) PSMRE members operate the trains according to schedules followed by Northern Pacific, Great Northern, Union Pacific and Milwaukee Railroad companies in Tacoma in the 1950s. Each train is operated by a conductor, with a dispatcher on radio in another room to control the mainline. See priority passenger and scheduled freight trains, as well as local freights, and train make-up and break-down in the yards.

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1911 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 272-3500
1-888-BE THERE
(253) 272-9518 Fax
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