State Historical markers to get review

The movement to review historical monuments and public art has now reached the shores of Washington State.

Thanks to a $142,000 federal  grant to the Washington State Historical Society (headquartered in Tacoma), the group will begin a study of the monuments and roadside markers in the state, to make certain they meet the new standards of accuracy and inclusion.

The Society was able to identify 43 historical markers put in place around the state with its help from 1900 to 1950.  Some of them mark battlefields where the military engaged in conflict with native tribes.  Some just recognize that certain explorers camped at certain sites in the state.

As a spokesman for the organization was recently quoted “”Many of the monuments identified have been dormant, undisturbed and essentially ignored for decades, just sitting by the roadside or in some out-of-the-way spot”.

With the federal funds, the Society has hired Polly Olson who is the director of Diversity, Equity, Access, Inclusion and Decolonization as well as the tribal liaison for the Burke museum in Seattle.

She estimates that not a single one of the monuments will be exempt from potential change.