Courtesy of Washington State Historical Museum
The first Washington territorial Legislature held its session in this building in 1854, on Main Street near Second Avenue. It was torn down in 1908.

You're invited to be part of the celebration

LORRINE THOMPSON, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Saturday, January 12, 2002

The celebration for Thurston County's 150th birthday was born much as was the county itself -- with a gathering of residents who wanted to see something special happen.

In 1851, it was at a Fourth of July community get-together in Olympia that John B. Chapman leapt up and began to agitate for a separate county to be created out of the Puget Sound area of the Oregon Territory.

He riled up residents of the sparsely-populated region, who were tired of being ignored by the territorial government in Portland, and a core group of them went on to meet and plan and push for their own government.

Fast forward 150 years, and a call goes out for residents interested in Thurston County history, residents with ideas on how to celebrate, residents willing to work on a yearlong celebration.

They started gathering early in 2001, and a core group of enthusiasts put together balls, parties, displays, active exhibits, educational events, calendars, videos and opportunities for descendants of pioneers and Indians to step forward and honor their family histories.

"It's been a neat process of people who have stuck with it, really worked on it," said Shanna Stevenson, county historical preservation officer.

Stevenson has coordinated the group of sesquicentennial planners and many of the celebration's activities.

One project she is excited about is a "Thurstoneer" project: Family members who trace their ancestors back to Thurston County in 1852 or 1902 will receive certificates commemorating their pioneer status.

Workshops will help residents track their ancestry, and the state archives will store the information gathered for future generations.

"I think the Thurstoneer project will be quite fun," Stevenson said. "I think it means a lot of people will honor their predecessors, and feel connected to the county history."

It may spur people to talk to their family members, uncover history they weren't aware of, she said.

One of the benefits of marking the county's 150th birthday is the lasting nature of such a celebration, Stevenson said. The video, historic displays, and archived family histories, "will carry on long past the year," she said.

Lorrine Thompson covers Thurston County and health for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5431.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to Thurston County Sesquicentennial index