GHOSTS ‘HAUNT’ WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY MUSEUM NOVEMBER 21
“Ghosts of the Great Hall: Disaster! Natural Catastrophes in the Pacific Northwest” Open to the Public for One Day Only
TACOMA – Oct. 5 – Washington has long been the scene of colorful characters, natural
disasters, and ghost stories spawning tales even the most talented movie directors would love
to come up with. On Nov. 21, from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Washington State History Museum, watch
local actors portray historic figures who played a part in one of Washington state’s many
natural disasters in “Ghosts of the Great Hall: Disaster! Natural Catastrophes in the Pacific
Northwest.”
Under the direction of Katherine Billings (“Much Ado About Nothing” and “Twelfth Night” for
The Washington Shakespeare Festival at the Washington Centre for the Performing Arts),
entertainers will be dressed in period costumes performing interactive dialogues depicting
their character’s thoughts, feelings, and reactions as a natural disaster unfolds around them.
In character, actors will also engage the audience in question and answer segments.
“This is a popular program because guests are able to fully interact with history,” said Stephanie Lile,
head of education for the History Museum. “This way, the information sticks in their heads
longer because they’re watching history come to life.”
Guests will receive a map of the Great Hall of Washington History prompting them to connect
with not only the performers, but artifacts, historic photos, and other documents on display
as well. Guests will learn through dramatic interpretation about the 1872 Eastern Washington
earthquake, and a blizzard on Mount Rainier, as well as the characters the actors are
portraying.
Among the characters featured are A.J. (Jack) Splawn, cowboy & rancher, who lived through
the 1872 Eastern Washington earthquake, and famous movie director Cecil B. DeMille who braved
a blizzard on Mount Rainier to shoot the silent film “The Golden Bed” in 1924. Harvest Moon,
Native American storyteller, will also be there telling natural disaster tribal legends.
A popular annual student program, “Ghosts of the Great Hall: Disaster! Natural Catastrophes in
the Pacific Northwest” is open to the public for four hours on the 21 and FREE with Museum
admission.
For more information visit www.WashingtonHistory.org
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High resolution photos are available on our
online image gallery, or upon request from Marketing Office.
About the
Washington State History Museum
The Washington State History Museum, flagship of the Washington State Historical Society, is located at 1911 Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, just off 1-5. The Washington State History Museum presents exhibits, programs and events that bring Washington's history to life. The Washington State Historical Society has been dedicated to collecting, preserving and vividly presenting Washington's rich and varied history since 1891.
HOURS - Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., with extended hours and FREE admission every third Thursday from 2 - 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
ADMISSION - $8 for adults; $7 for seniors, age 60
and above; $6 for students and military with valid ID; children, age 5 and below, and members are always
FREE.
CONTACT – 1-888-BE THERE, www.WashingtonHistory.org
Media Contact:
Marketing Office
public relations coordinator
Washington State History Museum
253-798-5877