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May 2026

Happenings

Celebrate America250 at the Schmidt House!

Join us this month as we celebrate America250 at the historic Schmidt House! A large group of local heritage organizations is coming together to create a rich, interactive experience—featuring displays and hands-on activities for both adults and kids.

We’re especially excited to host two FREE concerts by the American Legion Band. Enjoy patriotic music on May 16 and May 23 at noon, then explore the exhibits inside the house.

Admission is free for both the concerts and exhibits.

Featured Displays & Community Partners

• Old-fashioned kitchen tools — Daughters of the American Revolution
• Patriotic stamps & postal envelopes — Olympia Philatelic Society
• Quilts through the ages — Tumwater Historical Association
• Genealogy resources — Olympia Genealogical Society
• Flags & patriotic history — Sons of the American Revolution
• Bald Eagle Ecology & USS Constitution — Olympia Tumwater Foundation
• Fire department history — Firehouse 5
• And more!

Event Schedule

May 7

• History Talk by Art Dolan: “The Greatest Breakup Letter in History: The Declaration of Independence”

May 14–16

• Open to the public, noon–6 PM

May 16

• American Legion Band Concert at noon
• Special postal cancellation & pictorial covers—grab your souvenirs!

May 21–23

• Open to the public, noon–6 PM

May 23

• American Legion Band Concert at noon

May 28–30

• Open to the public, noon–6 PM

June 4

• History Talk by Dick Moody: “The Secret War for American Independence: The Hidden Story of Spies and Intelligence”

Planning a Group Visit?

If you have a social group, homeschool group, or classroom that would like to attend, contact Karen to schedule a special visit: karen@olytumfoundation.org or 360-890-2299.

Otherwise, stop by Thursday–Saturday during open hours—we’d love to see you there!

He Cared...and a Man Lived Because of It

From It’s the Water News, June 1967

“The man Weber saved a life.”

Speaking was Washington State Patrol Trooper Gary Wiles and “the man Weber” he spoke of was Marvin Weber, bottlehouse Foreman and 18 year employee of the Olympia Brewing Company.

The story of Marv’s courageous effort began on the evening of March 22 [1967]. Harold Moon was driving a truck-trailer north on Highway 99, his 20 ton cargo consisted of steel sheets and girders destined for a company in Seattle. As he neared the Lathrop Road, a few miles south of Tumwater, the truck for some yet unexplained reason, took a wild course off the evening shrouded freeway, tore across the shoulder of the road and into a group of large trees and heavy underbrush.

Upon impact the cargo knifed forward, the steel sheets slicing through the truck cab like a proverbial hot knife through butter. Some of the sheets cut a swath through the trees for 25 yards ahead of the truck’s final stopping place.

Click here to read the rest of the story...

Grab Your Copy of the Thurston County Historical Journal

The April issue of the Thurston County Historical Journal is now available. This issue offers the following articles: “R/UDAT and the Transformation of Olympia’s Downtown in the 1980s,” by Deb Ross; “Native American Workers at the Tenalquot Farm, 1849-1851,” by Drew Crooks; and “Biography of a Brew Kettle,” by Karen Johnson.

Copies of the Journal are available as a benefit of membership in various county heritage groups. Hard copies are also available for purchase at the Bigelow House Museum, Orca Books, Tenino Depot Museum, and the Crosby House. The Journal is issued three times a year. Four months after publication, each issue is usually posted online at www.ci.lacey.wa.us/tchj. Most back issues can be read on that website, generously hosted by the City of Lacey.

May 7 History Talk:

The Greatest Breakup Letter in History

Join us each month for a free hour-long talk on social or natural history, each presented by a recognized expert. Doors open at 11:30. First-come, first-seated until we reach capacity.

May 7 Talk

Join us at noon on Thursday, May 7, for a fascinating presentation by Art Dolan of Sons of the American Revolution: "The Greatest Breakup Letter in History."

Presented by Art Dolan of the Sons of the American Revolution, this fast-paced talk explores the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence—plus powerful, lesser-known insights from a “forgotten” founding father who helped shape its message.

Art, a retired science teacher and Olympia resident since 2005, brings history to life with energy, context, and compelling storytelling. His personal connection to the Revolutionary War began when he discovered an ancestor who served during the era.

Where: Schmidt House, 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater

When: Noon, Thursday, May 7, 2026

Cost: Free! Donations are gratefully accepted.

Doors open at 11:30.

For more information, contact Karen Johnson at 360-890-2299 or karen@olytumfoundation.org.