May Is Historic Preservation Month
Historic Preservation Month is celebrated each May in Tacoma. A central aspect of any celebration of preserving history and heritage invites us to acknowledge that Tacoma’s history is layered and complex. It begins with the fact that we here inhabit the traditional lands of the Puyallup Tribe, who have lived here for thousands of years and continue to do so.
Tacoma’s 2025 Theme is Harnessing the Power of Place
The City of Tacoma is excited to announce this year’s Historic Preservation Month theme of “Harnessing the Power of Place,” which marks a year of highlighting the diverse stories and identities of the people who have lived, worked, and built communities in this city, and of improving the equitable access to the services of the Tacoma Historic Preservation Program.
National Historic Preservation Month Established in 1973
National Historic Preservation Month was established in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in order to promote historic preservation and community pride in local heritage sites.
2025 Historic Preservation Awards on May 22
The annual preservation awards recognize the critical work of community members to enhance and preserve Tacoma’s unique character through outstanding heritage related efforts on May 22, 2025, from 6 – 7:30 PM at Urban Grace (902 Market Street).The awards and reception are always free and open to the public.
This year’s Historic Preservation Awards categories and recipients are as follows:
Outstanding Achievement in Preservation as Neighborhood Revitalization (a new award category for 2025) – Ferguson Architecture for Willie Stewart Academy
Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability – Andrea Haug and the South End Neighborhood Council for preserving the historic Charlotte’s Blueberry Park
Outstanding Achievement in Broadening Perspectives in Preservation – Remembrance Gallery at the Washington State Fairgrounds and Maritime Washington for the Women on the Waterfront Series
Outstanding Achievement in Preservation as Housing – 1109 North 7th St.
Outstanding Achievement in Partnerships in Preservation – Hilltop History: MLK Jr. Way Public Art Project
Outstanding Achievement in Leadership in Preservation – Tamiko Nimura for Tacoma’s Japantown History
Outstanding Innovation in Preservation and Outreach – Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation
Outstanding Landmark Nomination – Wapato Park
Outstanding Heritage/Legacy Business – Chalet Bowl, 3806 N. 26th St.
Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Renovation – Comprehensive Life Resources, 737 Fawcett Ave.
Outstanding Career Achievement – Patty Mannie
Contact Information
For more information, contact Historic Preservation Coordinator Susan Johnson at sjohnson7@tacoma.gov or (253) 281-7445.
Historic Preservation Month Events Around Tacoma
Many different local organizations will have events related to sustainability or that highlight the different aspects of Tacoma’s historic resources and heritage community, happening throughout the month of May. Every year, Tacoma’s Historic Preservation Month kicks off with a Proclamation from our Mayor and City Council. Please see the online events calendar to find more events and activities.
Check our calendar for the 2025 Historic Preservation Month events.
Past Winners
-
Award Category 2024 Recipient Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement Save Historic Parkland School community group/project Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Willamette Casket Company Building, 2916 S. Steele Street Outstanding Achievement in Broadening Perspectives in Preservation Washington State Historical Society, for “Boldt at 50” Outstanding Achievement in Housing 506 N. L Street Outstanding Achievement in Partnerships in Preservation Tacoma Evergreen, for the Remnant Project and Black History visioning work Outstanding Achievement in Leadership in Preservation Artifacts Consulting, Inc. Outstanding Landmark Nomination Two award winners: Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 901 N. J Street; McFarlane House, 314 N. Yakima Avenue Outstanding Heritage/Legacy Business Radio Club of Tacoma, 1249 S. Washington Street Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Renovation Cider & Cedar, 744 Market Street, #102B Excellence in Historic Preservation Blue Mouse Theater, 2611 N. Proctor Avenue Outstanding Career Achievement Michael Lafreniere -
- Special Recognition: Chandler O’Leary
- Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability: Milgard Hall, University of Washington Tacoma
- Outstanding Achievement in Housing: The Astor (Washington Building)
- Broadening Perspectives in Preservation: Tacoma Boat Builders
- Career Achievement: Lane Sample
- Excellence in Historic Preservation: W. W. Seymour Conservatory rehabilitation / Metro Parks Tacoma
- Partnerships in Preservation: Earthwise Architectural Salvage
- Community Engagement: Downtown on the Go
- Leadership in Preservation: Northwest Room of the Tacoma Public Library
- Outstanding Achievement in Residential Renovation: Red Maple Apartments, 1122 N. 6th St.
- Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Renovation: Howdy Bagel, 5421 S. Tacoma Way
- Outstanding Landmark Nomination: Wright Park Condo Association, for the Virges Apartments, 720 6th Ave.
- Heritage/Legacy Business: The Parkway Tavern, 313 N. I St. #1
-
- Outstanding Achievement in Many Voices, Many Stories: Merilee Tanbara, for The House on Fawcett
- Outstanding Achievement in Broadening Perspectives in Preservation: Buffalo Soldiers Museum
- Outstanding Achievement in Innovation in Preservation & Outreach: Tacoma Noir Mystery Series
- Outstanding Achievement in Partnerships in Preservation: Dickman Mill Park & Ghost Timbre
- Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement: Tacoma Art Museum and eTc for the Kinsey African American Art & History Collection
- Outstanding Achievement in Leadership in Preservation: Roger Johnson
- Outstanding Achievement in Residential Renovation: Scott & Donna Armstrong and Bob & Dawn Klimas for the Pratt House, 832 N. Steele Street
- Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Renovation: North Alder Partners for the former Big Value shop, 2501 N. Alder Street
- Outstanding Landmark Nomination: Tacoma Colored Women’s Club for the Nettie and Henry Asberry House Nomination, 1219 S. 13th Street
- Outstanding Heritage/Legacy Business: Rankos’ Stadium Pharmacy, 101 Tacoma Ave N.
-
- Outstanding Achievement in Broadening Perspectives in Preservation: Fort Nisqually Living History Museum and Puyallup, Squaxin, Nisqually, and Muckleshoot tribal leaders for the “Puget Sound Treaty War Panel”
- Outstanding Achievement in Innovation in Preservation & Outreach: Elizabeth Rudrud, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, for virtual programing and events
- Outstanding Achievement in Partnerships in Preservation: Pretty Gritty Tours, for partnering with heritage organizations to transition to virtual programming
- Outstanding Achievement in Community Engagement: Forterra, for work with Hilltop Neighborhood community members and organizations
- Outstanding Achievement in Leadership in Preservation: Fred Roberson, for his many downtown historic rehabilitation projects and his gift of the Tacoma Armory venue to Tacoma Arts Live
- Outstanding Achievement in Residential Renovation: Celena Kathan and Robert Koehne, for the Wells R. Sears House, 3334 N Gove Street
- Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Renovation: Horizon Partners Northwest, for the Hunt-Mottet Hardware Warehouse, 2112 Pacific Ave
- Outstanding Landmark Nomination: Klinkenberg-Decker House Nomination, 1002 S Anderson Street, prepared by Katie Pratt
- Outstanding Heritage/Legacy Business: The Spar, 2121 N 30th St, which has operated as a bar since 1917 and as “The Spar” since the 1920s
-
- Excellence in Historic Preservation: McMenamins
- Career Achievement: Brian Kamens, Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room
- Residential Renovation: Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity for 417 South M Street and 407 South M Street, Wedge Neighborhood Conservation District
- Commercial Renovation: Tacoma Arts Live and the Pantages Theater Design Team, including BCRA Design, Korsmo Construction, and EverGreene Architectural Arts for the Pantages Theater
- Community Engagement/Events: Grit City Magazine
- Community Engagement/Events: Pretty Gritty Tours
- Landmark Nomination to be Recognized: 5210 South State Street, White Shield Home
- Nomination to be Recognized: College Park National Register Historic District
- Broadening Perspectives: Puyallup Tribe of Indians for the renaming of the Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge
- Heritage/Legacy Business: Lincoln Hardware
-
- Residential Renovation: 224 N. Yakima, the Born-Lindstrom House
- Commercial Renovation: Union Club, 539 Broadway
- Commercial Renovation: Wagner Motors, 616 Saint Helens
- Leadership in Preservation: Dana Repp, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
- Organization in Preservation: Earthwise Architectural Salvage
- Community Engagement/Events: Trapped: Escape Fort Nisqually, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
- Preservation Planning, Policy, or Initiative: Lighthouse stewardship, Points Northeast Historical Society
- Landmark Nomination to be Recognized: Point Defiance Lodge, 5717 North Roberts Garden Road, MetroParks Tacoma
- Broadening Perspectives: “Dreams that Matter,” Tacoma Historical Society
- Heritage/Legacy Business: Johnson Candy Company
-
- Residential Renovation: Ross and Julie Buffington – 502 S. Sheridan Ave.
- Residential Renovation: Lynda and Todd Shepherd – 321 N. J St.
- Commercial Renovation: Kevin Grossman – The Kellogg-Sicker Building, 1114-16 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
- Commercial Renovation: Ryan Fuson, Redwood Housing Partners, and Les Tonkin, Tonkin Architecture – The Winthrop Hotel, 776 Commerce St.
- Leadership in Preservation: Julie LaRue – Director of Tacoma Historical Society
- Organization in Preservation: Tacoma Public Schools
- Community Engagement: Knights of Pythias – Commencement Lodge #7
- Community Engagement: Prairie Line Trail Interpretive Committee
- Heritage Event: Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
- Landmark Nomination to be Recognized: Historic Tacoma and Marshall McClintock – The Hosmer House, 309 S. 9th St.