TACOMA – Oct. 1 – Washington has long been the scene of colorful characters, natural disasters,
and ghost stories spawning tales even the most talented movie directors would love to come up with. On Oct.
18, from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Washington State History Museum, watch local actors portray historic figures who
played a part in one of Washington state’s many natural disasters in “Ghosts of the Great Hall: Disaster!
Natural Catastrophes in the Pacific Northwest.”
Under the direction of Katherine Billings (“Much Ado About Nothing” and “Twelfth Night” for The Washington
Shakespeare Festival at the Washington Centre for the Performing Arts), entertainers will be dressed in
period costumes performing interactive dialogues depicting their character’s thoughts, feelings, and
reactions as a natural disaster unfolds around them. In character, actors will also engage the audience
in question and answer segments.
“This is a popular program because guests are able to fully interact with history,” said Stephanie Lile,
head of education for the History Museum. “This way, the information sticks in their heads longer because
they’re watching history come to life.”
Guests will receive a map of the Great Hall of Washington History prompting them to connect with not only
the performers, but artifacts, historic photos, and other documents on display as well. They will encounter
the actors and learn through dramatic interpretation about the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, the
Wellington avalanche, and a blizzard on Mount Rainier, as well as the characters the actors are portraying.
Among the characters featured are Harry Truman, a businessman and resort owner on Spirit Lake, also known as
the “man who would not go” from Mount St. Helens when the mountain began erupting in 1980, and famous movie
director Cecil B. DeMille who braved a blizzard on Mount Rainier to shoot the silent film “The Golden Bed”
in 1924.
There will be a dress rehearsal on Friday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. for any media who would like to get a sneak
peak or take pictures.
A popular annual student program, “Ghosts of the Great Hall: Disaster! Natural Catastrophes in the Pacific
Northwest” is open to the public for four hours on the 18 and FREE with Museum admission.
For more information visit www.WashingtonHistory.org.
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High resolution photos are available on our
online image gallery, or upon request from Marketing, public relations coordinator.
About the
Washington State History Museum
The Washington State History Museum, flagship of the Washington State Historical Society, is located at 1911 Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, just off 1-5. The Washington State History Museum presents exhibits, programs and events that bring Washington's history to life. The Washington State Historical Society has been dedicated to collecting, preserving and vividly presenting Washington's rich and varied history since 1891.
HOURS - Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended hours and FREE admission every third Thursday from 2 - 8 p.m. The Museum is open Sunday noon – 5 p.m.
ADMISSION - $25 for families (two adults and up to four children); $8 for adults; $7 for seniors, age 60
and above; $6 for students and military with valid ID; children, age 5 and below, and members are always
FREE.
CONTACT – 1-888-BE THERE, www.WashingtonHistory.org
Media Contact:
Marketing Office
public relations coordinator
Washington State History Museum
Washington State Historical Society
253-798-5877