About Tacoma: An Immigrant City
McMenamins History is pleased to partner with the World
Affairs Council of Tacoma and local historian Michael Sullivan, as he speaks to
us about Tacoma's evolution as a city of immigrants. This event is open to all
ages and made possible through the sponsorship of Tacoma Creates.
Tacoma is an elder seaport city shaped by layers of culture
and time. From the ancient presence of indigenous people to the most recent
refugees from Ukraine and the Americas, Tacoma has enriched its own story with
those of newcomers, travelers, and adventurers. This conversation will unpack
Tacoma's patterns of place, its neighborhoods, ethnic districts and influences,
and the historical backstory of the city we live in today. Michael will be
joined in his remarks by two participants in the Council's Tacoma Immigrant
Stories Project, Mariam Kurdghelaidze Anderson, from the Republic of Georgia,
and Mauricio Robalino, from Ecuador.
Our featured speaker, Michael Sean Sullivan, is a public
historian, writer, and historic preservationist. He has taught Pacific
Northwest history at the University of Washington Tacoma for more than 20
years. Michael created the website TacomaHistory.live and co-produces
the short form documentary series, Tacoma Home Movies. Michael
co-founded the historic preservation firm, Artifacts Consulting, and he is an
advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Michael is Board
Chairmen for HistoryLink (the online Encyclopedia of Washington
State History) and serves on the Governor's Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation.