FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2016

MEDIA CONTACTS

Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152

Stacy Ellifritt, Media and Communications, stacy.ellifritt@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2005

Historic Preservation Month Celebrates Tacoma’s Surprising History

Each May, the City of Tacoma encourages residents from all ages, cultures and neighborhoods to celebrate Historic Preservation Month.  All month long, a roster of events has been planned around this year’s theme of ‘#SecretTacoma: Tacoma’s Surprising History.’

“There will be many opportunities to celebrate Tacoma’s heritage, have some fun, and perhaps learn or experience something new about our city,” said City Historic Preservation Officer Reuben McKnight.  “It will be a great Preservation Month!”

2016 Historic Preservation Month Event Schedule:

• Historic Homes of Tacoma Tour: Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Historic Preservation Month Proclamation: Tuesday, May  3, at 5 p.m., at the Tacoma Municipal Building in Council Chambers (747 Market St., first floor)
• Historic Preservation Month Kick Off: Friday, May 6, from 7 – 9 p.m., at 1120 Creative House (1120 Pacific Ave.)
• Old Town Walking Tour: Saturday, May  7, from 11 a.m. to noon, at Job Carr Cabin Museum (2350 N. 30th St.)
• The Amazing Preservation Race: Saturday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at University of Washington Tacoma campus stairs (1754 Pacific Ave.)
• City of Destiny Poetry Slam, Lincoln Edition: Friday, May 20, from 6 – 8 p.m., at Lincoln High School Auditorium (701 S. 37th St.)
• Historic Preservation Month Awards: Sunday, May 22, from 1 – 3 p.m., at The Swiss Restaurant & Pub (1904 Jefferson Ave.)
• 1950’s Ride: Saturday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to noon, at War Memorial Park (6th Avenue and South MacArthur Street in Tacoma)
• History Speaks - Eyes of the Totem Rediscovered: Tuesday, May 31, from noon – 2 p.m., at the Washington State History Museum (1911 Pacific Ave.)
• Film Screening – Eyes of the Totem: Saturday, June 4, from 3 – 6 p.m., at the Washington State History Museum (1911 Pacific Ave.)

In addition to celebrating Tacoma’s heritage, the City’s award-winning Historic Preservation efforts provide tools and resources to preserve the community character derived from Tacoma’s rich architectural legacy. This includes oversight of the historic districts and Tacoma Register of Historic Places, as well as increasing awareness of historic preservation issues in Tacoma.

“I’m very excited about the lineup of events we have this year,” said Historic Preservation Coordinator Lauren Hoogkamer. “Each event highlights a different aspect of Tacoma’s history that you might not have known about before; there’s something for everyone.”

For more information on Historic Preservation Month activities, visit cityoftacoma.org/HPEvents or contact Lauren Hoogkamer at lhoogkamer@cityoftacoma.org or call (253) 591-5254.

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