Historic Preservation Month: Show Your Love for Tacoma’s Unique Cultural Heritage

Each May, the National Trust for Historic Preservation encourages local communities to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month. Tacoma’s 2015 theme is “I Heart Tacoma: Celebrate Tacoma’s Unique Cultural Heritage.” This year’s events encourage residents from all ages, cultures and neighborhoods to show their love for Tacoma’s heritage and historical sites.

“This year, our theme is “I Heart Tacoma,” and it is about celebrating our love for our city, and having pride inthe unique historic places and spaces that make Tacoma what it is,” said City Historic Preservation Officer Reuben McKnight.

2015 Event Schedule:

• Historic Preservation Month Kick Off -Historic Tacoma’s Postcard Exchange Event: Fri. May 1, from 7-9 p.m., organized by Historic Tacoma
• Historic Homes of Tacoma Tour: Sat. May2, and Sun. May 3, organized by the Tacoma Historical Society
• Photo Scavenger Hunt: Sat. May 2, at 1 p.m., organized by Earthwise Architectural Salvage, The Children’s Museum of Tacoma and the City of Tacoma’s Historic Preservation Office
• City Council Proclamation for Historic Preservation Month: Tues. May 5, at 5 p.m.
• The Amazing Preservation Race: Sat. May 9, at 11 a.m., organized by the City of Tacoma’s Historic Preservation Office and local partners
• City of Destiny Poetry Slam - Hilltop Edition: Fri. May 15, at 6 p.m., organized by Write@253, City of Destiny Poetry Slams, and the City of Tacoma’s Historic Preservation Office
• Tacoma Tweed Ride: Sat. May 30, at 10:30a.m., organized by the City of Tacoma’s Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability and Historic Preservation Office
• The Landmarks Preservation Commission Historic Preservation Month Reception and Awards: Sun. May 31, at 2 p.m.

In addition to celebrating Tacoma’s heritage, the City’s award-winning Historic Preservation efforts provide tools and resources to preserve the community character derived from Tacoma’s rich architectural legacy. This includes oversight of the historic districts and Tacoma Register of Historic Places, as well as increasing awareness of historic preservation issues in Tacoma.

“This year, we’re increasing our effort to promote community pride in Tacoma’s heritage and historical resources,” said Historic Preservation Coordinator Lauren Hoogkamer. “We want everyone to realize that historic preservation is important and an essential component to a vibrant city’s character.”

For more information on Historic Preservation Month activities, visit cityoftacoma.org/HPM. The Preservation Month hashtag is #IHeartTacoma.