Historic Tacoma

Preserving Tacoma's architectural legacy through education and advocacy, that is what we’re about.  Check out what we are up to and get involved!

In the Spotlight...

May is National Preservation Month.  Here's a short list of events to celebrate our architectural heritage, more details below.

May 3rd and 4th, Historic Homes of Tacoma Tour
May 5th and 6th, Preservation Planning Public Meetings
May 8th, Donovan Rypkema lecture
May 20th, Googie Architecture & the Modern Ideal
May 22nd, Cadillac Hotel tour & presentation

Upcoming Events

Historic Homes of Tacoma Tour,  May 3 & 4

The Tacoma Historical Society presents their annual tour featuring homes located in the vicinity of Division Ave - the "Historic West End" of town. The reception center for the tour will be First Congregational Church, at 903 Division Ave. There are 7 lovely homes and a bed & breakfast on the tour this year.  Additional details on our Events page.

Preservation Planning: Public Meetings, May 5 & 6

The Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) is updating the Washington State Historic Preservation Plan to proactively address cultural and historic resource preservation issues and opportunities in Washington State over the next five years.  Additional details on our Events page.

Lecture by Donovan Rypkema: Economics, Sustainability, and Historic Preservation, May 8

Historic Seattle presents Donovan Rypkema, the national leader in the economics of preserving historic structures.  Rypkema will be speaking on how we develop livable cities for the 21st century.   Additional details on our Events page.

A Second Look: Googie Architecture and the Modern Ideal, May 20

Docomomo WEWA presents a lecture on Googie architecture. California architecture critic Alan Hess will examine how Googie architecture successfully combined Modernism and popular culture and why it is important today.  Additional details on our Events page.

Tour and presentation: adaptive re-use and restoration of Cadillac Hotel, May 22

An American Institute of Architects, Seattle seminar on the adaptive re-use of historic buildings.  Additional details on our Events page.

Check back soon for more details on:

MLK Business District Walking Tour (July 19th!)

Society of Architectural Historians Regional Conference (October 1st!)