Two big birthdays: America at 250 and Lacey at 60! 

Shirley Stirling

Happy 60th birthday, Lacey! Of the tri-cities in Thurston County, Lacey, officially incorporated in 1966, is the baby, roughly 100 years younger than its siblings, Olympia (1859) and Tumwater (1869). 

The Lacey Historical Society (LHS) is stepping up to celebrate both the city’s 60th and America’s 250th anniversary on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The LHS's Community Celebration of America 250 and Lacey 60 will be a public event, spotlighting local and national history at Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. SE, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Organizer Jon Halvorson emphasized, “This is a free public event; everyone is welcome.” 

There will be dozens of displays and exhibits from 19 local historical organizations, with many representatives available to answer questions. Visitors can also meet and greet local history authors from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. including Jennifer Crooks, Sandra Crowell, Greg Cuoio, Jerry Farmer, Janine Gates, Dr. Thelma Jackson, Dick Pust, and Paul Webb. Authors will be offering their books for sale. 

According to the program, LHS President Jon Halvorson will give the welcome, followed by a land acknowledgement, presentations by Lacey poet laureates, words from Mayor Andy Ryder, and a panel discussion with former mayors and former city managers.  

The program will also feature a colorful one-hour “History of Our Flag” presentation by Art Dolan, founding president of the George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Dolan, a retired history teacher, is well-known for his compelling presentations. 

Program and exhibits 

• America 250 “Moments That Made Us” 

• Art Dolan’s “History of Our Flag” 

• Sons & Daughters of the American Revolution 

• Former mayors & former city managers of Lacey, Q&A 

• Quilts of Valor - Disabled American Veterans 

• American Legion Lacey Post 94 

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 318 – “The Wall That Heals” 

• Lacey Museum’s “Out of Many, One” Community Selection 

• LHS historical photos of Lacey people & places 

• Olympia Genealogical Society – Drop-in Genealogy 

• Meet the authors of local history books 

• Lacey Makerspace 3D Printing: Dr. Ehlers Model Statue 

• Panorama Retirement Community 

• City of Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation 

• Daughters of the American Colonists 

• Sunrise & Lamplighters Lions Clubs 

• Lacey Fire District #3 

• Olympia-Lacey Amtrak Station 
• Squaxin Island Tribe