#

[cid:image005.jpg@01DB6286.2F1C38C0]NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT: Derek Nguyen, Marketing and Communications Director, Washington State Historical Society, 253-317-1273 derek.nguyen@wshs.wa.gov<mailto:derek.nguyen@wshs.wa.gov> Washington State History Museum temporarily closed from January 13 to February 17, 2025 [cid:image006.png@01DB6286.2F1C38C0] Rendering of This is Native Land exhibition courtesy of AldrichPears Associates. Tacoma, WA – The Washington State History Museum will temporarily close from January 13 through February 17, 2025, to conduct limited demolition in the Great Hall of Washington History in preparation for the installation of a new permanent exhibition, This is Native Land. The museum will re-open on February 18, 2025, with contained construction continuing on the third floor until the new gallery opens in the summer of 2025. "The time has come for something new in the Great Hall," said Washington State Historical Society director Jennifer Saunders. "The existing Pioneer Town exhibition has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people since the museum opened in 1996. But that history hasn’t gone anywhere – to provide greater context, we have integrated those stories into two other recently updated galleries related to migration and immigration, as well as stories of industry and settlement. We are excited to make way for something brand new in Washington history." The next phase in the installation will require a full museum closure to accommodate logistical tasks, heavy machinery usage, and noise abatement. The entire building, including the museum store, will be closed to the public during this limited time. While the museum is closed, the organization will continue with business operations, supporting research requests, and programmatic efforts in the community. Affected frontline staff have been offered temporary work assignments during the closure. The museum's temporary exhibitions on the fifth floor are open through Saturday, January 12, 2025, with a 50% admission discount. Exhibitions on view include What is Native Art? Eugene Landry and the Creative Spirit, Collections Selections: A Parachute from the D.B. Cooper Investigation, and the Model Railroad. And this will be the last opportunity for the public to view the special exhibitions The Mountain Was Out and MAKERS ON THE TIDE: The Willits Brothers and Their Handcrafted Canoes. Curated by Dr. Danica Sterud Miller (Puyallup) and Todd Clark (Wailaki), This is Native Land will explore important events in Washington State History through an Indigenous lens. The exhibition explores Tribal sovereignty, culture, and resilience while confronting these communities' challenges. For updates and more information on the project, please visit www.WashingtonHistory.org<http://www.WashingtonHistory.org>. # # # About The Washington State Historical Society and History Museum The Washington State Historical Society works with our communities to explore how history connects us all. Its most prominent activity is the Washington State History Museum, located in Tacoma's Museum District on Pacific Avenue. The museum features interactive core exhibitions about Washington in the Great Hall, rotating special exhibitions, and various public events and programs that cover a wide range of historical topics. The WSHS provides curriculum resources, downloadable exhibitions, and educational support across the state, as well as consultation and resources for museums and heritage organizations. Address: 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402 Hours: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Temporarily closed from January 13, 2025 to February 17, 2025. Admission: FREE for members<http://www.washingtonhistory.org/support/membership/>; $17 adults; $14 seniors (age 65+) and military (with ID); $11 students (age 6-17) $11. Through the Museums for All<https://museums4all.org/> program and licensed Washington Foster Parents can attend for $1 per person or $2 per family.