Title
Special Recognition - Proclamation Recognizing Olympia Heritage Month
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize May as Olympia Heritage Month in the City of Olympia.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recognize May as Olympia Heritage Month in Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Michelle Sadlier, Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8031
Presenter(s):
Michelle Sadlier, Historic Preservation Officer
Katherine Kelly, Chair, Olympia Heritage Commission
Benjamin Helle, Chair, Outreach Committee, Olympia Heritage Commission
Background and Analysis:
Each May, the Olympia Heritage Commission joins community organizations around the country in celebrating Preservation Month. Started by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1973, the long-standing goals of this annual event are:
• To promote historic places to install national and community pride,
• To promote heritage tourism, and
• To show the social and economic benefits of historic preservation.
This year, the Commission has selected the theme of Olympia’s transportation history for Olympia Heritage Month to highlight the impact of our community’s role as a regional transportation hub on Olympia’s growth and vitality.
Events
The Commission and other community organizations are hosting a number of events throughout May, including:
• History in Motion Happy Hour - Join fellow Olympia history fans on this ever-popular trivia night, this time featuring a healthy mix of transportation-related questions. Hosted by The Washington State Historical Society and Washington State Archives. Thursday, May 17, 2018, 7 p.m., Three Magnets (600 Franklin St SE);
• Capitol Theater Celebrates Olympia Heritage Month - All throughout May, the Olympia Film Society is hosting movies at historic Capitol Theater that celebrate culture and heritage, including a FREE screening of The Boys of ’36, the remarkable story of University of Washington rowers at the Berlin Olympic Games. Local hero Don Hume’s nephew, Tim, will provide an introduction to the film. Hosted by the Olympia Film Society. Friday, May 18, 2018, 7 p.m., Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave NE);
• Following in their Tracks: A Downtown Olympia Scavenger Hunt - Building on enthusiasm for last year’s event, the Heritage Commission is hosting another geocaching-style scavenger hunt (“OlyCache”). This time around, participants will explore places that tell the story of Olympia’s role as a transportation hub. Hosted by The Olympia Heritage Commission with support from the Olympia Archaeological Society. Saturday, May 19, 2018, 2 p.m., starts in Room 100, Olympia Center (222 Columbia St NW);
• Historical Marker Dedication for South Sound Maritime History - Come celebrate the installation of a brand new brass marker and interpretation panels at Percival Landing to showcase the stories of the USS Olympia and Vancouver and Puget’s visit to our region back in the late 1700s. Hosted by The South Sound Maritime Heritage Association and Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation Department. Monday, June 4, 2018, 2:00 p.m., Harbor House on Percival Landing (325 Columbia St NW)
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
General community interest in protecting the historic places that give our city its unique character and tell the story of our past.
Financial Impact:
Staff time, already included n 2018 budget.
Attachments:
Proclamation