Awards

Tacoma Historical Society's Murray Morgan Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to efforts to preserve and communicate local history. Murray C. Morgan (1916-2000) was an eminent Tacoma author, journalist, teacher and historian.

• 2020 - Bill Baarsma
• 2019 - Dale Wirsing
• 2018 - Blaine Johnson
• 2017 - Michael Sullivan
• 2016 - Russell H. Holter
• 2015 - C. Mark Smith
• 2014 - Dr. Jerry V. Ramsey
• 2013 - Charles R. (Chuck) Fowler
• 2012 - Thomas R. Stenger
• 2011 - Deb Freedman
• 2010 - Paul R. Michaels
• 2009 - Roger Cushman Edwards
• 2008 - Karla Wakefield Stover
• 2007 - Ralph Decker
• 2006 - Marie Hayden
• 2005 - Dorothy “Dode” Trip
• 2004 - Jim Fredrickson
• 2003 - Charlotte Medlock
• 2002 - Caroline Denyer Gallacci and Ron Karabaich
• 2001 - Brian G. Kamens
• 2000 - Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society
• 1999 - Robert Tschida
• 1998 - Cecelia Svinth Carpenter
• 1997 - Gary Fuller Reese
• 1996 - Dr. Ronald E. Magden
• 1995 - Ottilie Markholt
• 1994 - Caroline Kellogg
• 1993 - Winnifred L. Olsen
• 1992 - Murray C. Morgan

Tacoma Historical Society's Alan C. Liddle Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the preservation of Tacoma's historic structures.  Alan C. Liddle (1922-2009) was a highly regarded architect who provided a strong voice for the arts and for historic preservation in his native city.

• 2020 - Marshall McClintock
• 2019 - David Fischer
• 2018 - Jeffrey J. Ryan
• 2017 - Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge No.7
• 2016 - James R. Merritt
• 2015 - David Burns
• 2014 - Robert Schuler
• 2013 - Dawn Lucien, James E. Hoard and Dennis Flannigan
• 2012 - August Gene Grulich
• 2011 - L.T. Murray Jr. (2011)
• 2010 - Linda Bowman and Kathryn VanWagenen
• 2009 - Robert W. Evans
• 2008 - Alan C. Liddle and Patricia Sias

Tacoma Historical Society’s Ronald E. Magden Award recognizes exceptional and continuing service by a volunteer on behalf of the society and its aims of preserving, presenting and promoting Tacoma history.

Ronald E. Magden (1926-2018) devoted years of counsel and service to Tacoma Historical Society. He was a founding member of the Tacoma Community College faculty and the acknowledged historian of Tacoma’s waterfront.

• 2020 - Rose and Ed Mattison

When it is deemed appropriate, Tacoma Historical Society recognizes notable accomplishments with its Star of Destiny Award.  The Star of Destiny - 120 statements about Tacoma's advantages - was created by developer Allen C. Mason (1855-1920) and designed by engineer L.A. Nicholson. Mason used the Star of Destiny in newspaper advertising around the country.

• 2022 - Recognizing Michael Mirra for his leadership in guiding the development of New Salishan as executive director of the Tacoma Housing Authority.
• 2021 - Recognizing Sylvia Sass for her work in founding and sustaining Tacoma's Sister Cities program.
• 2020 - Recognizing Bryan Flint for his leadership with Tacoma Public Utilities and his commitment to environmental sustainability
• 2019 - Recognizing Karen Vialle for leading the way in becoming the first woman elected as Tacoma's mayor and for setting the stage for those who would follow. Recognizing Dr. Dolores Silas for being the first African-American woman to serve on the Tacoma City Council and for her steadfast support of her Central Area constituents and those in need. Recognizing Pat McCarthy for her years of stellar public service and for being a trailblazer in becoming the first woman elected Pierce County Executive and Washington State Auditor. Recognizing Theresa Pan Hosley for her dedication in educating people about Tacoma's expulsion of Chinese immigrants in 1885 and her successful effort to establish the acclaimed Chinese Reconciliation Park. Recognizing Stella Keating for taking leadership on the Mayor's Youth Engagement Task Force and her commitment to inclusivity for all people regardless of circumstances. Recognizing Nadine Gibson for being elected as an eighth-grade student to sere on the 2018-2019 Legislative Youth Advisory Council, the formal voice for youth in the State Legislature.
• 2018 - Recognizing Fred Roberson for his work to preserve, protect, and energize many historic Tacoma buildings. Recognizing Clare Petrich for her extensive public service and ongoing commitment to civic engagement for the public good.
• 2017 - Recognizing Laurie Jinkins for her unwavering support for social justice and human rights for all people regardless of circumstance. Recognizing James Walton for his exemplary service as Tacoma city manager and all of his ongoing commitment to civic engagement for the public good.
• 2016 - Recognizing Michael Cohen for his vision and steadfast perseverance in transforming one of the most toxic waste sites in the country into the extraordinary urban village that is Point Ruston. Recognizing Karen Larkin for her years of exceptional public service for the City of Tacoma and for her leadership in the transformation and cleanup of the polluted Foss Waterway.
• 2015 - Recognizing Ken Still for a remarkable career as a professional golfer and his role as an ambassador for his native city.
• 2015 - Recognizing Patty Rose for her unwavering commitment to the dignity and welfare of the working men and women of Tacoma and Pierce County.
• 2014 - Recognizing the Hon. Norm Dicks, for legislative achievement in behalf of Pierce County.
• 2013 - Recognizing Stan Naccarato and Doug McArthur for a lifetime of promoting sports events for the benefit of all Tacoma.
• 2013 - Certificate of Achievement recognizing J.N. Nerheim for painstakingly documenting the history of Tacoma's Old Town and its lumber mills.
• 2012 - Recognizing Ron Karabaich for his many contributions to the society and the cause of local history.
• 2011 - Recognizing Digestive Health Specialists for achievement in promoting local history (by displaying historic Tacoma photos). Recognizing Timothy Pinckney for rescuing artifacts from the historic Luzon Building, lamentably demolished in 2009