Historic Preservation

Preservation provides a tangible link to our history. Historic and cultural properties are non-renewable resources that showcase the significant history of Pierce County architectural styles or cultural groups.

The Pierce County Register of Historic Places (Register) is an important tool Pierce County uses to provide public recognition and measures of protection for historically-significant properties in Pierce County. Properties are designated to the Register through a nomination process which includes evaluation and determination of eligibility for listing by the Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, and further review and adoption by the Pierce County Council.
Nomination Form for Pierce County Register of Historic Places
Upcoming Meetings
Meeting Information
Previous and upcoming meeting agendas and minutes can be found HERE.

*Due to COVID-19, all Commission meetings will be held remotely. Please use the link above to view the agenda for instructions on how to participate in the remote meeting. 
2021 Preservation Grant Schedule Changes
In an effort to help streamline the process for applicants, the Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission has made the following changes to the 2021 grant cycle schedule:

November 2020: 2021 Preservation Grant Cycle Announcement
January 2021: Applications due
January and February 2021: Commission review of applications and voting
March 2021: Resolution approval appropriating the funds
NAPC Forum 2020 - Preservation Coast to Coast - CANCELED

The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions has made the difficult decision to cancel FORUM 2020: Preservation Coast to Coast as an in-person conference that was set to be held July 22 to 26 in Tacoma, Washington. While some states may be resuming activities and loosening restrictions at the local level, we feel that an in-person national conference will neither be safe nor feasible by this July.  We have also made the decision not to postpone the conference until this fall or even next year, because the unknown of when we may resume travel and large gatherings again is too great.

WA Trust Announces State Funding for Historic Barns and Cemeteries
In partnership with the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), the Washington Trust has announced that funding is available for two statewide grant programs: Heritage Barn Grants and Historic Cemetery Grants.
Please visit their website for more information.
Local Preservation

McMillin Bridge (SR 162)

McMillin Bridge Sign
This unique bridge was built in 1934. The use of steel-reinforced concrete in the design makes the structure architecturally rare and significant. In addition to being on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bridge is in the Library of Congress' Historic American Engineering Record. Through an effort involving numerous individuals and the Landmarks Commission, the historic bridge was retained for future generations adjacent to the newly-constructed SR 162 bridge.
Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission
The Commission's responsibility is to carry out the Pierce County Historic Preservation Program as a Certified Local Government (CLG) in historic preservation, and to provide recommendations on matters related to Pierce County heritage to the County Executive, and Council.

The Commission is guided by the policies and procedures of Pierce County Code (PCC) 2.88.

Meetings


The Commission meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Location:
Pierce County Annex, 2401 S. 35th St., Tacoma, WA 94809

Members


If you are interested in joining the Commission, please complete an application and email it to Tiffany Aliment, tiffany.aliment@piercecountywa.gov.
Commission Application
Current Membership
Member Resolution Representing Term Expiration
Vacant   District 1  
Vacant   District 2  
Vacant   District 3  
Nancy Rudel R2020-82 District 4 08/31/23
Nancy Larsen R2019-136; R2020-78 District 5 09/15/23
Simon Sabeti R2016-133; R2019-157 District 6 10/15/22
Donald Tjossem R2016-76; R2017-19; R2020-32 District 7 02/01/23
Barton Wolfe R2019-39 At Large 1 - Architect 02/28/22
Robert Koreis, Chair R2019-136 At Large 2 - Archivist 10/01/22
Vacant   At Large 3 - Historian  
Vacant   At Large 4 - Archaeologist  
Resources
Staff Contact
Chad Williams, Planner 3
(253) 798-3683
Email