Tacoma Historical Society

Tacoma Historical Society

It's our mission to collect, document, and share the unique history of Tacoma, Washington — and our passion to share it with you. At Tacoma Historical Society, we forge connections between generations, foster an appreciation for the past, and cultivate a sense of place within our community.

  1. 05/06/2024

    Tacoma's Family Table Episode 3: French-Canadian Tourtière

    Welcome to Episode 3 of Tacoma's Family Table, hosted by THS volunteer Rose Mattison. In this episode, Rose talks with former THS managing director Michael Lafreniere and his sister Renee, as they share their family's version of Tourtière, a French-Canadian meat pie. Jump over to our YouTube channel to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy82l02M50k Visit our blog to view the recipe: https://tacomatales.org/2024/05/05/tacomas-family-table-episode-3/ We all have food in common. Most of us get together around the table with friends and family to celebrate birthdays, gather for holidays and sometimes to mourn and support each other through difficult times. Tacoma’s Family Table uses food and the stories and traditions connected to that food to forge connections, build understanding and relationships, and tell the rich, varied and unique history of our city through its citizens and share that history with the public.

    35 min

  2. 03/12/2024

    Tacoma's Family Table Episode 2: Chimole from Belize

    Welcome to Episode 2 of Tacoma's Family Table, hosted by THS volunteer Rose Mattison. In this episode, we meet Dave Usher and his family, and learn how to make a traditional recipe from his native Belize, chimole. Jump over to our YouTube channel to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k_UycXZa-Y Visit our blog to see the recipe: https://tacomatales.org/2024/03/05/ta... We all have food in common. Most of us get together around the table with friends and family to celebrate birthdays, gather for holidays and sometimes to mourn and support each other through difficult times. Tacoma’s Family Table uses food and the stories and traditions connected to that food to forge connections, build understanding and relationships, and tell the rich, varied and unique history of our city through its citizens and share that history with the public.

    29 min

  3. 12/19/2023

    Remembering Juan Perez

    Many Tacomans will remember Juan Perez, who played the piano at the Tacoma Nordstrom store for 27 years. UW Tacoma student Nathan Hiatt recorded this episode in remembrance of Perez, who left a long-lasting impact on the Tacoma community. Hiatt created this beautiful tribute as the final project for T ARTS 225: Musical History of Tacoma, taught by Kim Davenport at the University of Washington, Tacoma. At the time he took the class in Autumn 2023, he was a senior majoring in Arts, Media and Culture.

    10 min

  4. 05/13/2023

    May 2023 Program: They Made Their Way to the City of Destiny

    Join Tacoma Historical Society for our May monthly program presented by THS Communications Manager and Tacoma Historian, Kim Davenport. Kim shares the story of how her family tree of ancestors came to Tacoma via the Northern Pacific Railroad. Sponsored by the Port of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Utilities and Amtrak. With thanks to Tacoma Creates for support of our programming.

    32 min

  5. 04/26/2023

    April 2023 Virtual Program: Celebrating Nettie

    THS Communications Manager Kim Davenport is joined on Nettie Asberry's porch by Karin Choo, Executive Director of Northwest Sinfonietta, and Klair Ethridge, Executive Director of Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center (TUPAC) to discuss their exciting upcoming celebration of the legacy of Nettie Asberry. Northwest Sinfonietta's season finale on May 20 and 21, 2023 brings live music and dance together in 'This Land.' Partnering with Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center, the program features a new ballet celebrating the life and story of Tacoma icon Nettie Asberry. Tickets: nwsinfonietta.org Saturday, May 20 at 7:30pm, Rialto Theater, Tacoma Sunday, May 21 at 2pm, Pioneer Park Pavilion, Puyallup Discount code for May 20 performance with support from Tacoma Creates: 1219 Nettie

    13 min

  6. 03/13/2023

    March 2023 Program: Interview with Kimberly Klontz

    In honor of Women's History Month, THS Communications Manager Kim Davenport interviews Kimberly Klontz, a longtime BNSF engineer and leader in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen 238 in Tacoma. Kimberly has an interest in railroad labor and mechanical history dating back to her childhood, when her family volunteered at several railroad museums in the local area. She developed an interest in labor history by listening to the older volunteers talking about their experiences on the railroad. She was fortunate have met one of the last motormen for the Tacoma Trolley system, several women who had hired out as operators for the Northern Pacific Railroad during the second world war, and numerous men who worked on the railroad in a variety of positions from entry level labor to upper management. Most had worked for the Northern Pacific, Milwaukee Road or the Burlington Northern. She continues to have an interest in preserving railroad labor history, and volunteers at the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archives.

    34 min
  7. Tacoma's Family Table Episode 1: Abby Woods of TriniPlate

    12/13/2022

    Tacoma's Family Table Episode 1: Abby Woods of TriniPlate

    We are delighted to announce the first episode of a new virtual series, Tacoma's Family Table, hosted by THS volunteer Rose Mattison. The inaugural episode features guest Abby Woods, owner of Trini Plate. Abby shows us how to make a holiday favorite from Trinidad, Pastelle.  Jump over to our YouTube channel to watch the video for this episode! We all have food in common. Most of us get together around the table with friends and family to celebrate birthdays, gather for holidays and sometimes to mourn and support each other through difficult times. Tacoma’s Family Table uses food and the stories and traditions connected to that food to forge connections, build understanding and relationships, and tell the rich, varied and unique history of our city through its citizens and share that history with the public.   With thanks to Tacoma Creates for support of our public programming.

    27 min

  8. 12/03/2022

    Tacoma's Family Table: Introduction

    Tacoma Historical Society is delighted to introduce a new virtual series, "Tacoma's Family Table."   We all have food in common. Most of us get together around the table with friends and family to celebrate birthdays, gather for holidays and sometimes to mourn and support each other through difficult times. Tacoma’s Family Table uses food and the stories and traditions connected to that food to forge connections, build understanding and relationships, and tell the rich, varied and unique history of our city through its citizens and share that history with the public. The first episode airs on our YouTube Channel beginning Monday, December 12 at 7pm. Show less

    1 min
See All (66)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

It's our mission to collect, document, and share the unique history of Tacoma, Washington — and our passion to share it with you. At Tacoma Historical Society, we forge connections between generations, foster an appreciation for the past, and cultivate a sense of place within our community.

Information

  • Creator
    Tacoma Historical Society
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tacoma Historical Society