October 2023

Happenings

The last month was full of exciting developments at the Olympia Tumwater Foundation! Read on to learn more.

Gift Shop Launch: New Hoodies and T-Shirts

We have new shirts and hoodies in our store! Featuring the iconic lower Tumwater Falls in a vintage wash print on olive cotton. Both the hoodies and shirts are perfect for Tumwater Falls loyalists who want to represent Tumwater wherever they travel. Come check out the OTF gift shop in Brewery Park, or online for more details!

All proceeds from OTF Shop sales support our philanthropic programs, including maintaining and improving Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls.

Gift Shop Restock: Baseball Caps are Back

These hats completely sold out at Falls Fest! But don't worry they are now back in stock. Come check them out in the OTF Shop or online.

Both puppy patrons belong to Rick and Mary Beth Harrington of Tumwater. The photos were taken on one of their (nearly) daily walks in Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls.

Patrons of the Park: Rugby Roo

Rugby loves his walks around Brewery Park and Tumwater Falls because there are always lots of people and especially little people who will give him a hug and pay his head. However, when the salmon are jumping he does his best to tell them to stay where they are! Rugby is 9 years old and mostly Australian Cattle Dog.

Patrons of the Park: Truly Scrumptious

Truly never saw a rock or plant that she didn't want to smell so she loves walking around Brewery Park and Tumwater Falls where there is no end to the smells! Truly is 6 years old and a mixture dogs types! 

Join Us on November 2nd for the First 2023 Schmidt House History Talk!

Titled "A Confluence of Conservation: A History of the Nisqually Delta and the US Fish and Wildlife Service", our first History Talk of 2023 will center around local nature. Julia Pinnix, Visitor Services Manager for the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex, will speak about the Nisqually Delta, a landscape that embraces time, change, and continuity. Two different cultures clashed here, yet connected to hold a space for wildness. Julia will explore some of the storylines that converge in today’s Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

The 2nd Annual Falls Fest Was a Hit

On Saturday, September 30th, we partnered with the City of Tumwater to bring the second Tumwater Falls Fest to Brewery Park! The festival saw around 3,500 visitors, and brought our community together for a great event. We had a blast talking with all who came by our tent, and hope to see you all next year!

Our booth at Falls Fest challenged festival goers to try their hand at Tumwater history trivia!

A special thank you to Copper Wolf Tattoo Studio & Art Gallery for their cooperation in helping us put together this amazing festival, and for their incredible artwork in the Falls Fest logo. Another special thank you to the City of Tumwater and their incredible Parks & Recreation department which did a fantastic job helping planning and coordinating this event!

An Incredible Gift from the Angela J. Bowen Conservancy

On October 11th, members of the Angela J. Bowen Conservancy Foundation traveled to Brewery Park to present us with a generous gift of $200,000. We are tremendously grateful for their contribution! It will be used to make repairs and improvements to Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls. Dr. Bowen was a long time trustee of the Olympia Tumwater Foundation and an ardent supporter of the park.

A big thank you to the conservancy board of directors for this wonderful gift!

Today the painting is on display in the newest building in Tumwater’s Craft District.

A New Home for a Historic Mural

Back in 1961, Oly Brewing stockholders attended a luncheon meeting in the brewery warehouse in the Deschutes Valley. During that luncheon, a huge painting (about 9’ x 20’) was unveiled. Forgotten for many years, that painting has now been rescued and is again on display.