Lacey Historical Commission gets two new members

The Lacey Historical Commission rounded out its roster with the appointment of two individuals.

A motion, recommended by Mayor Andy Ryder, led to  history steward David Shipley and City of Lacey Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst Gary Montgomery becoming commission members at a Lacey City Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 3. 

Ryder confirmed both candidates met the advisory group’s standards for technical expertise. 

“In both (of) these circumstances, we have a position set aside for actually experts in the field, and they would both qualify for that,” he said. “Thank you for your application and your willingness to serve the City of Lacey and care about our history and our heritage.” 

The historical commission guides public understanding and preservation of local history through educational and interpretive programs, promotes protection of historic properties, and reviews nominations to the Lacey Register of Historic Places. 

History steward 

Shipley, a retired history teacher with more than four decades of involvement in preservation programs, addressed the council following his appointment. 

“It’s a real honor to be appointed to the Lacey Historic Commission. I have been on the Thurston County Historic Commission. I was chairman for 28 years," he said.

"I was on the Olympia Heritage Commission, I think six years, and I don’t know if the Lacey council knows this, but I’m still on the Tumwater Historic Commission, and I’ve been chair of that one for about 18 years, so I’m looking forward to putting in at least 20 more years on the Lacey Historic Commission.” 

His application specified 43 years in education, 40 of them teaching history. He has also served 20 years as a Washington Capitol tour guide and facilitated numerous historical tours. He also holds a master’s degree in education. 

He added that he looks forward to championing preservation efforts. 

“What I’m really looking forward to is learning more about Lacey and preserving the history, educating the people, putting more sites on registers,” he said. 

Preservation specialist 

Montgomery, a Lacey resident of seven years, told the council he looks forward to serving in preservation work. 

“I have a not quite so sterling record in historic preservation interpretation, but brief career as a contract archeologist, internship with the Historic Preservation Training Center and National Park Service,” he said. “As a resident of Lacey, I look forward to serving on the board and serving my community.” 

Montgomery holds a bachelor’s degree in cultural resource management, a master’s degree in geographic information systems and partial completion of environmental science studies. 

He has also been a member of the Northwest GIS professional association since 2019, and possesses competency in archaeological work and historic preservation projects. 

The city grants advisory board members a $50 stipend per meeting, with a yearly limit of $500. The stipend can go toward basic expenses, such as child care during meetings, transportation to and from meetings, internet access to meetings and other direct financial impacts.