The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation will announce the recipients of the 2016 Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund grant awards during a holiday fund-raising event in December.

All Washington Trust for Historic Preservation members and friends are invited to attend the event, which will be held on Tues., Dec. 8, between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., at the historic Stimson-Green Mansion, located at 1204 Minor Ave., in Seattle. Tickets are $25 each for members and their guests, and $50 for non-members, which includes a one-year membership to the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. Tickets are available online here.

Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund, which annually provides grant funding to organizations statewide working to preserve local historic resources. Established in 1997, the program has awarded more than $100,000 to more than 100 projects that preserve Washington’s cultural heritage. The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation aims to provide a minimum of $10,000 in grant funding per year. Past grant recipients in Tacoma and Pierce County include:

• Broadway Center for the Performing Arts (Tacoma | 2015) – $1,000 to help replace rotting plywood on the roof parapet of the 1918 Rialto Theater in downtown Tacoma in an effort to prevent imminent leaks.
• Tacoma Railcar Preservation Society (Fircrest | 2015) – $1,000 to help evaluate the existing roof and install temporary shrink wrap in anticipation of future restoration of the 1910 Northern Pacific Dining Car #1663, which is currently housed at the LeMay Family Collection at Marymount in Tacoma.
• Gig Harbor BoatShop (Gig Harbor | 2015) – $1,000 to help restore the circa-1940 historic launch “Ellyn” for public use in the BoatShop’s historic boat livery fleet.
• Points Northeast Historical Society (Browns Point | 2015) – $1,000 to help restore the historic Oil House at Browns Point Lighthouse Park.
• South Pierce County Historical Society (Eatonville | 2015) – $500 to help relocate the historic Tofu House to a new site.
• University Place Historical Society (University Place | 2014) – $2,000 to paint the exterior of the Curran House, a significant post-war modernist residential building that was once endangered but is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
• Spanaway Historical Society (Spanaway | 2014) – $2,000 to re-roof the milk shed and blacksmith shed located at the Prairie House Museum, which provides educational activities and interpretation of pioneer life in Pierce County;
• Broadway Center for the Performing Arts (Tacoma | 2013) – $1,150 in emergency funding to repair a leak near the main lobby entry of the Pantages Theater;
• Ezra Meeker Historical Society (Puyallup | 2013) – $1,500 to patch, fill, replace and seal the westside window bay in preparation for painting at the Meeker Mansion;
• Points Northeast Historical Society (Browns Point | 2013) – $1,000 for abatement of asbestos and lead paint at the Browns Point Light Station Buildings;
• South Pierce County Historical Society (Eatonville | 2013) – $650 for rehabilitation and stabilization work to the main entry wall of the historic Van Eaton Cabin;
• Steilacoom Historical Museum Association (Steilacoom | 2013) – $1,500 to address needed repairs to the banister on the main stairway at the 1857 Nathaniel Orr Home;
• Historic Fort Steilacoom Association (Lakewood | 2012) – $500 to paint the exteriors of four 1850s buildings, which served as officer’s quarters at the historic fort;
• University Place Historical Society (University Place | 2012) – $1,000 to help restore the decks onthe mid-century modern Curran House;
• Ezra Meeker Historical Society (Puyallup | 2011) – $2,000 to help rehabilitate dining room windowsat the National Register-listed Meeker Mansion;
• Fort Nisqually Foundation (Tacoma | 2011) – $500 to develop architectural drawings for the circa1850 National Historic Landmark Granary at Fort Nisqually;
• Gig Harbor Boatshop (Gig Harbor | 2011) – $1,000 to repair and restore the hull of Thunderbird #2, a racing sailboat designed and manufactured in Gig Harbor;
• Steilacoom Tribal Museum Association (Steilacoom | 2010) – $1,000 to help restore the roof of the historic Oberlin Church, now used as the Tribal Cultural Center;
• University Place Historical Society (University Place | 2010) – $500 to restore window glass and trim on the historic Curran House;
• Historic Tacoma (Tacoma | 2007) – $1,000 to assess and restore water damaged plaster and ornamental painting in the main hall of the Pythian Temple;
• South Pierce County Historical Society (Eatonville | 2007) – $500 to frame and pour a new foundation for the relocation of the Eatonville Japanese Community Milk House;
• Tacoma Railcar Preservation Society (Tacoma | 2007) – $1,000 to assist in repairing the wooden roof of the 1910 Northern Pacific Dining Car;
• Friends of Eddon Boatworks (Gig Harbor | 2004) – $500 for public information materials for a city bond election to acquire and save Eddon Boatworks.

Additionally, the amount of funding distributed statewide has generally increased each year:

• 2015 ($10,500 awarded to 10 projects);
• 2014 ($9,000 awarded to five projects);
• 2013 ($10,000 awarded to nine projects);
• 2012 ($10,000 awarded to 11 projects);
• 2011 ($10,000 awarded to nine projects);
• 2010 ($6,500 awarded to eight projects);
• 2009 ($8,000 awarded to five projects);
• 2008 ($6,000 awarded to six projects);
• 2007 ($7,500 awarded to 10 projects);
• 2006 ($4,385 awarded to seven projects);
• 2005 ($6,500 awarded to nine projects);
• 2004 ($7,000 awarded to eight projects);
• 2003 ($3,250 awarded to four projects);
• 2002 ($3,000 awarded to three projects);
• 2001 ($2,000 awarded to two projects);
• 2000 ($1,000 awarded to one project);
• 1999 ($1,250 awarded to three projects);
• 1998 ($1,250 awarded to four projects).

The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit organization that aims to protect Washington State’s historic places through advocacy, education, collaboration, and stewardship. The organization was established in 1976. More information is available online at preservewa.org.

Broadway Center for the Performing Arts received a $1,000 grant from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2015 Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund to help preserve the 1918 Rialto Theater. (FILE PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)

Dave Burns and the Tacoma Railcar Preservation Society received grants in 2015 and 2007 worth $2,000 from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund to help restore a 1910 Northern Pacific Dining Car. (FILE PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)

Historic Tacoma received a $1,000 grant from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2007 Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund to help preserve the 1906 Pythian Temple (FILE PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)

The circa-1850 National Historic Landmark Granary at Fort Nisqually. (PHOTO COURTESY METRO PARKS TACOMA)

Broadway Center for the Performing Arts received a $1,150 grant from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2013 Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund to help preserve the 1915 Pantages Theater. (FILE PHOTO BY TODD MATTHEWS)