Thirty Years and Counting: The Making of the Washington State History Museum
Saturday, August 29, 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, Aug 29, 2026
- Sun, Aug 30, 2026
- Mon, Aug 31, 2026
- Tue, Sep 1, 2026
- Wed, Sep 2, 2026
- Thu, Sep 3, 2026
- Fri, Sep 4, 2026
- Sat, Sep 5, 2026
- Sun, Sep 6, 2026
- Mon, Sep 7, 2026
- Tue, Sep 8, 2026
- Wed, Sep 9, 2026
- Thu, Sep 10, 2026
- Fri, Sep 11, 2026
- Sat, Sep 12, 2026
- Sun, Sep 13, 2026
- Mon, Sep 14, 2026
- Tue, Sep 15, 2026
- Wed, Sep 16, 2026
- Thu, Sep 17, 2026
- Fri, Sep 18, 2026
- Sat, Sep 19, 2026
- Sun, Sep 20, 2026
- Mon, Sep 21, 2026
- Tue, Sep 22, 2026
- Wed, Sep 23, 2026
- Thu, Sep 24, 2026
- Fri, Sep 25, 2026
- Sat, Sep 26, 2026
- Sun, Sep 27, 2026
- …and 14 more
Hours
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday.
Closed Mondays & some holidays.