Christmas at Historic Fort Steilacoom 1861 (in 2024)

Join us at Historic Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood as living historians re-enact the Christmas of 1861, highlighting how the holiday season might have been celebrated in these same buildings 165 years ago.

Re-enactors will gather in candlelight to talk, sing, dance and dine as our predecessors did in these buildings. You will witness scenes as if you are a silent time traveler.

These were troubled times, but Christmas remained a period of fun, as men, women and children hosted and participated in social gatherings and exchanged gifts.

Tickets are $7 for an adult and $5 for youth. A family of up to two adults and four youth pays $12. Because this event is a fundraiser to support maintenance of the aging buildings, discounts are not offered.

Because of space limitations, tickets should be purchased in advance here through Eventbrite. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but availability is not guaranteed. This event will likely sell out. Visit check the fort's Facebook page to see if the event is sold out before you come by.

Accessibility: Our buildings do not have ramps for wheelchairs. Each building has four porch steps to enter and exit; our 165-year-old buildings may also have uneven floor surfaces. If you have any questions, please email us.

Location: Historic Fort Steilacoom is on the grounds of Western State Hospital at 9601 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, 98498. The fort's parade ground, where Civil War soldiers marched, is the hospital's front lawn!

Be sure to type the street address in your phone. GPS and map software often direct people to Fort Steilacoom Park, but we are not in the park.

If this is your first time visiting, please allow extra time to find the Fort and to park. Enter the campus at the stoplight on Steilacoom Blvd and Circle Drive, then turn right at the traffic circle onto Fort Street. The historic parade ground will be on your left, and parking will be on the right.

About Fort Steilacoom

Historic Fort Steilacoom Association is a non-profit organization that shares the story of the first U.S. Army post to be located in Puget Sound, is on the grounds of Western State Hospital at 9601 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, 98498.

Unlike "first Army forts" in 49 states, Fort Steilacoom is managed entirely by volunteers. There are no paid staff. Members of the association support the fort through donations. Donations are appreciated. For example, the fort has recently been required to fundraise in order to help maintain state-owned fire-alarm equipment.

Marketing outreach is supported by a grant from the City of Lakewood’s lodging tax fund.

Fort Steilacoom, located on the lands of the Coast Salish, occupies an important position in the history of early America and the Pacific Northwest. The fort played a significant role in the settling of Washington Territory. Beginning with its construction in 1849 and ending with its closure in 1868, Fort Steilacoom served as a beacon of American power and promise, promoting the migration of U.S. settlers to Washington and securing American interests in the region. Thus, the Fort acknowledges the complex history of the Fort and its role in colonization. We are actively working to incorporate the diverse perspectives and experiences of all individuals and communities who interacted with the Fort.

For more information, visit http://www.historicfortsteilacoom.org.

Host or Publisher Historic Fort Steilacoom