Advertise on podcast: Tacoma Historical Society

In this episode, UW Tacoma student Sarah Hadjes brings her enthusiasm for taiko to an interview with Ringtaro Tateishi, one of the participants in a 1993 US tour by the Japanese taiko group Ondekoza - a tour which included a stop in Tacoma! This interview was conducted as part of the Sarah's final project in the UW Tacoma course "Musical History of Tacoma."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

In honor of Transgender Awareness Week, we are pleased to share this talk by our curator Elizabeth Korsmo, exploring the life and works of Dr. Alan L. Hart, transgender doctor and author who lived and worked in Tacoma during the 1930s.

Get to know our THS Registrar, Ben Inokuchi.

Get to know our THS Curator, Elizabeth Korsmo.

Get to know our THS Communications Manager, Kim Davenport.

Get to know our THS Director, Jessica Smith!

Join THS Communications Manager and local music historian Kim Davenport in this virtual program celebrating the 60th anniversary season of the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association.  The program begins with a conversation between Kim and TYSA executive director Anna Jensen, which provides an overview of the upcoming season of music and celebration. Then, share in Kim's research into the organization's history through words, music, and historic photographs. With thanks to Tacoma Creates for support of our virtual programming.