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.
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.

2019 Pierce County Historic Preservation Grant Program


The Pierce County Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission is accepting applications for the 2019 Historic Preservation Grant Program.

The program’s goal is to distribute small, yet meaningful, grants to help promote historic preservation throughout Pierce County.

Grant requests can be made for two types of proposals:
  • Historic preservation (maximum request of $15,000) for stabilization, restoration, or rehabilitation of register-listed buildings or structures.
  • History-related projects (maximum request of $5,000) include photograph or document preservation, historic markers, history research, and public events and programs
Nonprofit organizations, public agencies and owners of properties listed on local historic registers are eligible to apply. Matching resources must be provided by the applicants. Applications will be accepted until 3 p.m. on June 8, 2018. Project activities must be completed by November 10, 2019.

Grant applications will be evaluated by the Pierce County Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, which administers the grant program. The commission forwards project and funding recommendations to the Pierce County Council for approval.

Funds for the Pierce County Historic Preservation Grant Program come from annual budget appropriations. The program is funded by the county’s $1.00 portion of the $5.00 surcharge charged by the Pierce County Auditor for each document recorded.
2019 Grant Application and Guidelines

Applications must be submitted by June 8, 2018 at 3 p.m. or they will not be considered.
Questions? Contact Chad Williams, chad.williams@piercecountywa.gov or (253) 798-3683.
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.

Application
Resources
Staff Contact
Chad Williams, Planner 3
(253) 798-3683
Email