New book from Tacoma Historical Society Press

                Tacoma Historical Society Press announces the release of “Rising Up from Tacoma’s Twenty-One Disasters and Defeats.” This 50-page book is a sequel to the popular 2010 title “Tacoma’s Twenty-One Tales Every Student Should Be Able to Tell.” Funded by a grant from The Puyallup Tribe of Indians, 1500 copies have been distributed free of charge to Tacoma elementary schools for use as a curriculum supplement.

                The book began as a community service project for the students of Seabury Middle School in the fall of 2012. Students selected topics spanning over 140 years of Tacoma’s history and completed the initial research. And just as Tacoma has learned to rise from defeats, so has the Tacoma Historical Society - completing five grant applications over a three-year period before finally receiving funding.
"We’d like to thank the Puyallup Tribe of Indians for their generosity and timely support. This summer marks the 75th anniversary of the disastrous collapse of the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge, “Galloping Gertie,” a prominent story in the book,” said Bill Baarsma, Tacoma Historical Society president. Studied by engineers around the world, the collapse will also be featured in the Society’s next exhibit “Spanning Tacoma.” The exhibit’s opening reception will be held on Tuesday evening, July 14, from 6-8 pm at the Tacoma Historical Society’s museum. (Details to follow)
                “In working with young people we’ve learned that students are intrigued by disasters – earthquakes and fires, plane crashes and shipwrecks,” said co-author Deb Freedman. “While some of the stories reflect simple defeats, others introduce some difficult but important subjects from Tacoma’s history. And whenever possible we’ve tried to end on a positive note, as with the creation of the Chinese Reconciliation Park.” Tacoma Historical Society will host a book-signing event on Tuesday, July 28th from 6-8 pm, in recognition of the anniversary of Harold Bromley’s attempt to fly from Tacoma to Tokyo.
                Copies of the book are available for purchase at the Tacoma Historical Society Museum located in the historic Provident Building at 919 Pacific Avenue. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Other retail outlets include the University of Washington Tacoma Bookstore at 1754 Pacific and the Pacific Northwest Shop at 2702 North Proctor. The retail price is just $6.99.

Who: Tacoma Historical Society
What: New book signing
Where: 919 Pacific Avenue in the historic Provident Building
When: Tuesday, July 28th, 6-8 pm
Telephone: Tacoma Historical Society (253) 472-3738
Cost: Free Reception and Museum admission