History Pub – Why Fort Steilacoom Disappeared Between 1868 and 1978 Presented by Walter Neary

Spanish Ballroom  @  
Elks Temple  
Wednesday November 20, 2024 
Doors 6:00pm, Program 7:00pm 

In 1849, the US Army established Ft. Steilacoom, the first military fort in Puget Sound. The fort was a base during the Puget Sound Treaty War and throughout the Civil War. Former President of the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association Walter Neary will present on the history of Ft. Steilacoom, describe how local history is often rewritten, and explain how volunteers in the history community keep these stories alive.   

Walter Neary is former president of the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association, from 1998-2002 and 2020-2024. He has portrayed historic characters for the Tacoma Living History Cemetery Tour and Fort Nisqually’s Candlelight Tour, as well as at Fort Steilacoom. His character reenactments include pioneer newspaper editors Charles Prosch, Herbert Hunt, and Dr. David “Doc” Maynard. Walter has a background as a journalist, newspaper editor, and historic preservation community board member, among other careers.