Preserving local history is the work of champions
Tacoma’s parks have unlocked the secrets to time travel.
Perhaps not literally, but, thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers, community members can experience the closest thing with immersive historical experiences at park attractions.
This month, the Arts & Heritage Advisory Council selected two recipients to be honored with Parks Champion Awards for their contributions to preserving and sharing history in Tacoma’s parks.
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum Tradespeople
You won’t find the tools of their trades available at your local hardware store, but that doesn’t stop this group of artisans from getting the job done. Blacksmiths, tinsmiths, woodworkers and leatherworks comprise the tradespeople of Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. These volunteers play a key role at the museum, enriching the experience of visitors and keeping these traditional crafts alive for future generations.
Volunteers are the backbone of Fort Nisqually, providing critical support to the museum’s small-but-mighty staff in interpreting the daily realities of those who lived and worked at the fort in the 1850s. Tradespeople make remarkable contributions of their time to the museum’s regular operations, as well as special events, camps, workshops and more.
“They enliven the fort with their presence—from the smell of the coal fire in the blacksmith’s shop, to the sound of woodworking, and the chance to observe, or even try, tinsmithing or leatherwork,” said Sarah Sutton, chair of the Arts & Heritage Advisory Council.
In addition to enriching the experience of visitors to the fort, tradespeople also champion the sustainability and continued presence of these trades through education and mentorship. Master craftspeople take on volunteer apprentices, helping them learn each necessary skill and guiding them through their journey as historical interpreters. This ensures these unique historical practices will continue to spark the curiosity of visitors and inspire future tradespeople for generations to come.
Jim Harnish, Points Northeast Historical Society
For 39 years, Jim Harnish has been a guiding light for the future of one of Tacoma’s most unique historic sites. This month, the Arts & Heritage Advisory Council celebrated his lifetime of achievements with the Points Northeast Historical Society.
Jim and his wife, Pat, were charter members of the society when it was founded in 1986 with the mission to preserve, promote and celebrate the history of Browns Point, Dash Point and Northeast Tacoma. After Jim retired from his career as an educator in 2006, his wife encouraged him to become more involved as a volunteer with the group. Since then, Jim has worn many different hats while working with Points Northeast on ambitious projects to restore the Browns Point Lighthouse site.
“My interest in preserving history and giving back to the community was the motivating factor for me,” said Jim.
The rare Art Deco-style lighthouse was built in 1933, though the site itself has provided a light for the ships of Commencement Bay since 1887. Decades of wear and tear had taken the shine out of the old lighthouse, but Jim and fellow Points Northeast members saw the diamond in the rough. In 2021, the group completed a major restoration project to the lighthouse that returned it to its former glory. This was the final step in a visionary endeavor that restored the entire historic site including the bell house, boathouse, oilhouse, former crew quarters, generator building and keeper’s cottage. In addition to the much-needed makeover, this restoration work opened the doors for community members to experience the history of the site through exhibits housed inside the buildings, and even opportunities to book a stay at the keeper’s cottage.
Throughout the restoration process, Jim served as a spokesperson, community educator, fundraiser and maintenance worker. He gave interviews and presentations throughout the area on the history and importance of Browns Point Lighthouse. He leveraged his connections to inspire others to contribute their time and funds to the project. He learned the art of grant writing and helped Points Northeast successfully secure over $500,000 from 23 grants to 13 different funding organizations.
The restoration of Browns Point Lighthouse has achieved national recognition and promises a bright future for the historic site.
“All of this supports our primary mission of educating the public about local history,” said Jim. From local school children who visit the lighthouse on field trips to guests from around the world who say at the keeper’s cottage, Jim finds joy in his role helping others learn something new about a unique part of history.
About the Parks Champion Award
Introduced in 2017, the Parks Champion Award recognizes individuals and organizations that go above and beyond in their support of the park district’s mission and goals.