Washington icons focus of upcoming Tacoma museum exhibit

The Washington State History Museum will present more than 65 items from the Washington State Historical Society’s collection that represent state icons for a new exhibit entitled “Icons of Washington History.”

The selection of symbolic events, features, people, and landscapes will be on display Nov. 11 through July 3. Many items are being restored for their debut exhibition, such as James Everett Stuart’s giant Mt. Rainier painting.

Hear Dave Niehaus announcing game five of the Seattle Mariners’ 1995 divisional series win against the New York Yankees; touch concrete from Galloping Gertie; see Ezra Meeker’s wagon he traveled the country with promoting preserving the Oregon Trail. The Wild Rainier costume from Rainier Brewery, representations from some of Washington’s well-known businesses, portraits of iconic people, landscapes and more will be on display.

“I’ve wanted to do this show for a long time,” said David Nicandri, director of the Washington State History Museum. “The exhibit features some of my favorite things in the Society’s collection, and it’s been fun to curate a show for the first time in 23 years.”

The exhibit is organized by the Washington State History Museum, and supported by Ben B. Cheney Foundation, Click! Cable TV, and Sequoia Foundation.