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

Featured Exhibits
at the History Museum in Tacoma

In the Spirit: Contemporary Northwest Native Arts Exhibit

Now through September 19


"Yellow Bear," by Mary Bender, on view in In the Spirit: Contemporary Northwest Native Arts Exhibit. (Mary Bender)

See how today’s Native art connects traditional artistic heritage and contemporary forms of expression in In the Spirit: Contemporary Northwest Native Arts Exhibit. The featured artwork is selected by a jury comprised of experts in the field.

Organized by the Washington State History Museum and the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at The Evergreen State College.


The Many Shapes of Chess

Now through November 21


This chess set represents King Arthur and his knights. Made by the ANRI company, Italy. Wood, paint. (Maryhill Museum of Art)

International chess sets and individual playing pieces from prominent collections on display in The Many Shapes of Chess. The ornately carved and painted chess pieces represent various time-periods and cultures from around the world. Among the displayed artifacts are Alice in Wonderland themed pieces, a Nixon and McGovern presidential election set, an Indian ivory set, and more.

Organized by the Washington State History Museum.


WITH OUR HANDS: Folk Art Treasures

Now through December


Detail from a painting of Ruston, Wash., by Orlin Coughlan. (Washington State Historical Society)

See folk art items pulled out of the Historical Society's collection and learn what folk art means. See jewelry made out of hair, a picture frame crafted from matchsticks, a handmade Norwegian fiddle inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and more, in WITH OUR HANDS: Folk Art Treasures.

Organized by the Washington State History Museum in collaboration with the Washington State Arts Commission.


The Arts and Crafts Movement in the Pacific Northwest

Now through November 28


Spokane architect Kirtland Cutter designed this private living room for the apartment of hotel and restaurant owner, Louis Davenport. Custom woodwork, stained glass, and metalwork, ca. 1904. (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture)

The Arts & Crafts Movement in the Pacific Northwest showcases significant buildings and interiors, furniture, glass, metalwork, ceramics, textiles, fine art, graphics and book arts, and photography with more than 100 objects drawn from public and private collections.

Organized and circulated by the Museum of History and Industry, Seattle. Supported by Selden's Home Furnishings.


Upcoming Exhibit

Favorite Icons of Washington

August 28 through June 2011


See Ezra Meeker's wagon he drove along the Oregon Trail. (Washington State Historical Society)

Guests voted for their favorite artifacts during the Icons of Washington History exhibit, and for those chosen items, we've extended their display life in this annex of the popular exhibition. We also asked guests to vote for their favorite icons of the Evergreen State that didn't make the original cut, and have displayed Sasquatch masks, a canoe model, a Native house post, and more.

Do you want to learn more about icons of our state? Visit Washington Stories for more information and activities.

Organized by the Washington State History Museum.

Washington State History Museum Logo
1911 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 272-3500
1-888-BE THERE
(253) 272-9518 Fax
More contact info