Olympia City Council proclaims May as Heritage Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May 2025 as Heritage Month at its meeting on Tuesday, May 20, recognizing the contributions of historic preservation to the city's economic vitality, social and environment, and its role in shaping Olympia's unique character, livability and community.  

The Heritage Commission and partner organizations have been leading walking tours, conducting oral history interviews, and sharing underrecognized stories contributing to the city's identity.  

According to Historic Preservation Officer Brittany Gillia, the Heritage Commission has been interested in exploring what preservation means to them. She added that the commission is interested in making and deepening community connections.  

Gillia reported the commission spent a weekend volunteering with local historic organizations to offer walking tours of the historic downtown.

"Historic preservation is a title for a topic that can be so incredibly broad, because history is all around us, from the built environment and historic registers to folklore passed down through generations by word of mouth, music, art, artifacts, cultural resources," Gillia said.

"There are so many important cultural aspects of our community's heritage that come from so many different people and backgrounds that had led us to where we are today, and there are also a lot of hidden histories out there that need help from historians to make sure that they have a voice."

For Heritage Commission Chair Garner Miller, Heritage Month is a reminder to the community of the importance of preserving and celebrating the stories, people, places, experiences, and sounds that shaped Olympia into what it is today.  

Miller said the Heritage Commission is on the mission of advocating for preservation, not only in terms of historic buildings but also in recognizing cultural resources. It also includes supporting planning decisions and helping to educate and inspire the community by sharing the value and opportunities in preserving Olympia's environment and cultural heritage.  

One example of that work is the Pride Storytelling Project, led by oral historian and Window Seat Media founder Elaine Vrandenburgh.  

Partnering with Capital City Pride, the project trains community members in oral history methods to document the LGBTQ+ elders, artists and activists in Thurston County. 

"We are concerned with those stories that have been ignored, forgotten or silenced throughout history. Our goal is to build capacity within the community to document and share its own stories," Vranderburgh said. 

The project, funded by Inspire Olympia, will culminate in a public event on Tuesday, June 3, at the Olympia library.  

Preservation also includes the sounds of Olympia's past. Markly Morrison, Editor of the Olympia Music History Project, spoke about the organization's efforts to archive the city's independent music scene from 1980 to 2002.  

The organization has gathered more than 30 oral history interviews, which are being made public through radio broadcasts and a website with a resource guide.  

He said the project aims to tell the city's music history through multiple voices. They are partnering with other organizations to host public events, including an all-day concert on Aug. 3 featuring bands and performers active in the local music scene during the 80s and 90s. The concert will be free and can be found at free music olympia.org.  

Greg Griffith, of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, spoke about the importance of experiencing heritage firsthand.  

There's no substitute for experiencing our heritage, our built environment, and our stored resources, besides actually going to them and experiencing them in sight," said Griffith, pointing to local sites like Sylvester Park, the Capitol Theater, and the Bigelow House as opportunities for learning and connection.  

Griffith also noted that Olympia's proclamation aligned with National Historic Preservation Month, which has the theme "The Power of Place."  

"Preserve and past and shape the future is what we are all about," Griffith concluded.