Thirty Years and Counting: The Making of the Washington State History Museum
Saturday, June 20, 2026, All Day; additional 29 dates below.
In celebration of the museum building’s 30th anniversary, you’re invited to explore the story behind the State History Museum. 30 Years and Counting: The Making of the Washington State History Museum is a special exhibition that uncovers the vision, effort, and community spirit that brought this iconic Tacoma landmark to life.
Discover the bold ideas and architectural ingenuity that shaped the museum’s distinctive look. From early sketches to final blueprints, see how the building’s design reflects both innovation and reverence for Washington’s past. Go behind the scenes of the museum’s construction. Through photographs and artifacts from the building process, witness how a dream took shape—brick by brick, beam by beam.
Staff Picks: 30 Objects for 30 Years
In a special feature area, museum staff share their favorite objects from the collection—each one a personal reflection on the power of history to inspire, surprise, and connect us.
Upcoming Dates
All Day
- Sat, Jun 20, 2026
- Sun, Jun 21, 2026
- Mon, Jun 22, 2026
- Tue, Jun 23, 2026
- Wed, Jun 24, 2026
- Thu, Jun 25, 2026
- Fri, Jun 26, 2026
- Sat, Jun 27, 2026
- Sun, Jun 28, 2026
- Mon, Jun 29, 2026
- Tue, Jun 30, 2026
- Wed, Jul 1, 2026
- Thu, Jul 2, 2026
- Fri, Jul 3, 2026
- Sat, Jul 4, 2026
- Sun, Jul 5, 2026
- Mon, Jul 6, 2026
- Tue, Jul 7, 2026
- Wed, Jul 8, 2026
- Thu, Jul 9, 2026
- Fri, Jul 10, 2026
- Sat, Jul 11, 2026
- Sun, Jul 12, 2026
- Mon, Jul 13, 2026
- Tue, Jul 14, 2026
- Wed, Jul 15, 2026
- Thu, Jul 16, 2026
- Fri, Jul 17, 2026
- Sat, Jul 18, 2026
- Sun, Jul 19, 2026
- …and 84 more
Hours
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday.
Closed Mondays & some holidays.