Thursday, October 1, 2026
From a new museum space to a growing inventory of historic properties, the City of Lacey is strategically investing in its history on multiple fronts.
The Lacey Historical Commission detailed that progress in a presentation covering 2025 accomplishments and 2026 priorities at a joint work session with the Lacey City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation Director Jennifer Burbidge opened the session by recognizing Vice Chair Jim Keogh, whose second term expired in September. Keogh served as commission chair for several years before stepping into the vice chair role this year under Chair Kevin Wyckoff.
Burbidge also acknowledged Lacey Museum Curator Erin Quinn Valcho for her contributions throughout the year.
Historic preservation anchored much of the commission's work in 2025. Valcho partnered with a consultant to complete preservation assessments of the Jacob Smith House, Long Lake House and the McKinney Building, laying the groundwork for a formal historic register nomination.
The commission also recommended approval of a special tax evaluation application for the Bowker House, one of the oldest structures in Lacey. Built in 1893 by George and Lucinda Bowker, who moved to the Pacific Northwest from Maine, the house is listed on the Lacey Register of Historic Places.
Staff also worked with the city's GIS (geographic information system) coordinator to identify 343 properties on the historic property inventory, 57 of which are potentially eligible for the historic register and another 115 still undetermined.
In March 2025, the commission partnered with the Thurston County Historic Commission to install an eight-panel interpretive kiosk at the Regional Athletic Complex.
The kiosk highlights Lacey’s early sporting history, the impact of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, local city history and the history of the Nisqually Tribe, and the Nisqually Delta and Billy Frank Jr. Wildlife Preserve.
The Lacey Museum settled into its new home at 4160 6th Ave. SE, Suite 101, with preview tours held in December 2025 ahead of its Jan. 15 public opening.
The former museum space at the Russell House is being converted into a research center to improve public access to historical collections.
Public engagement stayed strong throughout the year. History Talks! gathered 466 live participants across nine events and 2,093 post-event online views, while the commission recognized John Dziedzic with the 2025 Ken Balsley Lacey Historian of the Year Award for his research on the Lacey Fire Department.
Wyckoff then presented the 2026 work plan, approved by the commission on Jan. 21. Priorities include completing the research center, installing a plaque at the Bowker House, formally nominating the Jacob Smith House to the local historic register in May, and expanding the city's historic markers map.
Commission members are also looking ahead to two significant anniversaries. The United States turns 250 years old this year, and Lacey marks its 60th year as an incorporated city, with both milestones targeted for fall 2026.
Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller said the Jacob Smith House nomination represents long-stalled recognition for a property he considers historically significant to the community.
"It's a great community asset, and I think that probably should have already been done," said Miller, adding he has visited the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC) kiosk and found it impressive. "I've been out to the RAC and seen the kiosk, and I thought it was fantastic."
Council member Carolyn Cox talked about the commission's unique challenge of documenting a city with a recent incorporation but a much deeper community identity.
Keogh said Lacey's sense of community was already well established by the 1920s and 1930s, decades before the city formally existed. Residents built their own schools and fire department, he said, because Olympia viewed Lacey as the "Far East" and treated it accordingly.
The Lacey City Council is expected to place the work plan on a future consent agenda for formal approval.
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