Washington State History Museum

Category: History museum in Tacoma, Washington

Address: 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

Phone: +12532723500

Opening hours

Sunday: 10AM–5PM

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 10AM–5PM

Wednesday: 10AM–5PM

Thursday: 10AM–5PM

Friday: 10AM–5PM

Saturday: 10AM–5PM

Reviews

Chien-Han Lin

Apr 23, 2022

Spent 1 hour on the current green book exhibition, and 1.5 hours on the permanent exhibition. Overall, it’s a nice place to get an overview of WA history. (But I do hope they could upgrade or fixed some broken monitors).

Meenakshi Bose

Mar 15, 2022

A nice museum to learn about the history of Washington state. I particularly liked the Natural History section that described the geological history of this place. It was interesting to learn about facts like the dry falls etc. They also have a working rail network model on display that’s fun to watch.

Morghan Townsend

Nov 23, 2021

Wide range of history exhibits covered. Wish the museum would’ve told a collective story rather than throw together, hard to follow at times, bits and pieces of history. Thankful for the exhibits that highlighted Native American art history- present and past

Lisandra Martin

Sep 16, 2021

It was very informative on Washington’s history especially for my family who just moved here so we definitely learned at lot. It’s not a big museum so you might be done walking around in an hour or less. And also the front desk person was really friendly. The only thing why there’s only 4 stars is that their gift shop is closed.

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Questions & Answers

How much is admission

Leslie Schumann | Aug 10, 2022
Caia Misa | Aug 11, 2022

Anybody know which library to get a free pass from? I searched pierce county but there were so many. Are all those pc libraries qualified?

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Is there ample parking next to the museum?

Howard Quaife | Aug 10, 2022
Antonia Moore | Aug 11, 2022

There is parking behind the museum that's pretty spacious. You do have to pay.

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I tried to call but only received automated recordings. When will the Columbia River movie theatre reopen? I have been waiting a very long time for this to occur. Thanks for any reply and hopefully the answer is soon for the reopening. Diane

Diane Doherty | Aug 10, 2022
Ann Schroeder | Aug 11, 2022

I saw he movie yesterday. Also, the special exhibits Greenbook, and The Fourth Grade Project are worthwhile.

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Is the museum currently open Friday and Saturday like it says? Their website says they arent open but on here it says they are.

Kelly stassi | Aug 10, 2022
Washington State History Museum (Owner) | Aug 11, 2022

Thank you for asking. It's hard to get Google to pick up the correct hours, unfortunately! The History Museum is closed until April 2. We will re-open on April 2 and our hours will be Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM - 5 PM. Every Third Thursday, we'll be open 10 AM - 8 PM with free admission from 3-8 PM. Following COVID guidelines from the office of the governor, we'll operate at 25% capacity during open hours; masks or face coverings are required; in the museum, social distancing between groups will be observed, and we've established a one-way path through galleries. We have also implemented enhanced cleaning protocols. When we reopen on Friday April 2, we'll have a new exhibition, about rail travel in our state. Hope to see you!

I thought the museum had reopened today but it’s not? The website says it’s open and I was able to buy a ticket but the doors are locked? What’s going on?

Fiona Stirling | Aug 10, 2022
Ralph Jackson | Aug 11, 2022

The hours are 10.to 5. Beyond that you will have to ask them.

Is there a commuter train station near that museum?

John A. Long | Aug 10, 2022
Washington State History Museum (Owner) | Aug 11, 2022

Yes there is a Link light rail station directly in front of the museum, and there are bus stops also in front of the museum (see Pierce County Transit).

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Do you have any artifacts from the Borcher family on display, and if so where can I see them online?

Nicole | Aug 10, 2022
Washington State History Museum (Owner) | Aug 11, 2022

Hi Nikki. On preliminary review we do not see anything in the Washington State Historical Society's collection under the Borcher name. If you'd like to search further, or if you have further information, when our Research Center reopens to the public you can visit and see what turns up.

Where are the archives of the Olympian newspaper located, for the issue of July 16, 1967?

Barbara Fox | Aug 10, 2022
Liz Boston | Aug 11, 2022

The Olympian itself does not have archives. You need to contact the Washington State Library in Tumwater to access microfilm of historical newspapers from all over the state. You can either go there (check the open hours) or request an Interlibrary Loan of the microfilm be sent to your own library to use there. https://www.sos.wa.gov/library/ask.aspx

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Where do I find information on the McNeil exhibit? I cannot find anything on your web site. Thank you for any help you may offer.

Diane Doherty | Aug 10, 2022
steve dunkelberger | Aug 11, 2022

Last day is May 26. WashingtonHistory.org/visit/wshm/exhibits

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Is there a big foot exhibit right now today

Evelyn Creech | Aug 10, 2022
Julianna Verboort | Aug 11, 2022

No.

Was the old Washington State history Museum near Stadium high school? Where are you guys located prior to 96?

joost R | Aug 10, 2022
Julianna Verboort | Aug 11, 2022

Yes, we were located next to Stadium High School. Since the new building opened on Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, the building near Stadium has remained our research center, open to the public by appointment.

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Do you have to buy tickets online?

Sole Nephalem | Aug 10, 2022
Sarah Allen | Aug 11, 2022

No, you can buy them at the front desk.

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What is the cost?

June Steen | Aug 10, 2022
Washington State History Museum (Owner) | Aug 11, 2022

Adult $14 Seniors (age 65 and over), Students (age 6-17), Active Duty & Retired Military (ID required) $11 Children (age 5 and under) FREE Family (up to 2 adults and 4 children under age 18) $40 Washington Foster Parent discount (foster parent license and ID required) $1/person, $2/family Washington Quest Card discount (EBT card and ID required) $1/person, $2/family Groups including 10 or more paid admissions (age 6 and above) are eligible for discounted admission: $10/person. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Active Duty service members and up to five members of their family receive free admission through the Blue Star Museums program (with ID). Library card holders can check out passes for free museum admission at Pierce County, City of Tacoma, Puyallup and King County libraries. Free admission for all every Third Thursday from 3:00-8:00 PM. Other promotions: Chinook Book two-for-one coupon. Passes and coupons do not apply during Model Train Festival.

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Are wheel chairs available?

Cynthea Carver | Aug 10, 2022
Todd | Aug 11, 2022

Yes, there are wheel chairs available.

Are there wheel chairs available?

Cynthea Carver | Aug 10, 2022
Tyler Nixon | Aug 11, 2022

Yes, I work there and we have wheelchairs available on a first-come first-serve basis. Just let the admissions counter know you need one.

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Is this a museum about the history of Washington or history in general?

Aiden Beach | Aug 10, 2022
Cara Delozier | Aug 11, 2022

History of Washington

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WA State Historical Museum, Tuesday Hours & Admission cost for Seniors?

Jerome Klein | Aug 10, 2022
Julianna Verboort | Aug 11, 2022

Yes, just $11 for seniors. Please stop in and visit, we've got some terrific exhibitions on view right now including "Make/Do: A History of Creative Reuse" and "Two Centuries of Glass" as well as the new "Washington: My Home" gallery. Hope to see you!

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What day is free every month?

Alexandrea Scherling | Aug 10, 2022
Francie Wise | Aug 11, 2022

And if your family has an EBT card, all Tacoma museums are $2.00 for entire family any day they're open, even glass museum

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Anyone know which library to get a free pass from? I googles pierce county and it showed a lot. Do all those libraries offer the free pass?

Caia Misa | Aug 10, 2022
Michael Iannitto | Aug 11, 2022

To to pierce county library, search museum. passes. Click on the one you want. Then you can see where they are available. You just check it out like a book for up to a week. I have done it with all the museums in Tacoma.

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I heard the 3 rd Thursday of the month all museums are free. Does that include this one?

Bev Williams | Aug 10, 2022
Julianna Verboort | Aug 11, 2022

The Washington State History Museum is free from 3:00 to 8:00 PM every Third Thursday!

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What animal is next to the bear.

Mary Archer | Aug 10, 2022
Rick Jusino | Aug 11, 2022

An eagle. The pic angle makes it look weird. Lol

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