Olympia Tumwater Foundation

09/11/2026

Fall is beginning to make its way into Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls. 🍂

The days are cooler, the leaves are starting to change, and before long, salmon will be making their way upstream. We’re loving this in-between season at the park—the perfect time for a walk, a little fresh air and a glimpse of what’s changing.

Come enjoy the cooler days with us. 🌿🐟

09/09/2026

¡Viva como nunca una experiencia más amplia sobre el salmón!

¿Ha estado a unas cuantas pulgadas del salmón durante el tramo final de su travesía para llegar a casa?

En el Festival del Salmón podrá:
👀 Ver de cerca al salmón
🔬 Ver la disección del salmón y aprender sobre su ciclo increíble
🚶 Únase a los tours guiados de la incubadora
🎨 Actividades interactivas para los peques
🎶Disfrutar de las presentaciones vibrantes de Danza Azteca
🍴 Disfrute de lonche gratis

Ya sean vecinos nuevos o de toda la vida en el noroeste del Pacífico, aproveche la oportunidad para entender mejor lo importante que es el salmón para nuestros ríos, ecosistemas y nuestras comunidades.

📅 19 de septiembre | 1:30–5:00 PM
📍 Brewery Park @ Tumwater Falls (110 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater, WA 98501)

¿Tiene preguntas? Comuníquese con Kindra Galan
📧 [email protected]
📞 206-673-0731

09/09/2026

Brewery Park hours have been updated for the season! 🌿💧

The park is currently open 8:00 am–8:00 pm daily, with the entrance gate closing at 7:30 pm. Please plan your visit accordingly—and enjoy the trails, history and beauty of Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls.

09/02/2026

Have you noticed some of our bigleaf maples turning yellow or brown before fall even begins? 🍁

Bigleaf maples (Acer macrophyllum) are a defining part of the Pacific Northwest landscape. North America’s tallest native maple, they provide food, shelter and habitat for wildlife—and put on an impressive show of gold each autumn.

But across our region, some are showing signs of decline well before the seasons change. Research points to heat and drought as major contributors, raising important questions about what a changing climate could mean for these iconic trees.

Oregon writer Ian Rose explored the issue for Earth Island Journal, looking at what scientists are learning about the decline of Washington’s bigleaf maples.

🍂 Learn more about what may be happening to our bigleaf maples: https://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/articles/entry/solving-the-mystery-of-washingtons-bigleaf-maple-die-off/

09/01/2026

The Olympia Tumwater Foundation’s Early Learning Grants are opening for the 2026 grant cycle, providing support for local teachers and classrooms serving our youngest learners.

Last year, the Foundation received a record 42 proposals and awarded $12,000 to 22 teachers and classrooms, helping bring creative projects, hands-on learning and meaningful early learning experiences to life.

If you’re an educator with an idea that could make a difference for young learners, we encourage you to learn more and apply.

🗓️ Applications open September 1. The deadline to apply is October 19, 2026, and winners will be notified the first week of November.

👉 Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/261898082931064

📸 Shoutout to our Early Learning Grant Committee: Gail Dickerman, Sherry O’Connor, Judy Fondaw, Judy Harold, Laurel Seaman and Joan Halverstadt.

08/31/2026

Olympia Beer’s iconic billboard art has gone international!

Sam Roberts of Great Britain recently featured Olympia Beer’s hand-painted billboard designs from the 1930s through the 1950s in BLAG, “the world’s only magazine dedicated to sign painting craft, community and culture.”

The Olympia Tumwater Foundation was happy to help with Sam’s research, sharing historic images from our collection and materials created for our 2017 and 2019 Olympia Beer billboard art exhibitions.

It’s exciting to see this distinctive piece of local history finding a new audience across the globe.

👉 Read Sam’s article and see the artwork:

Sam Roberts of Great Britain contacted us some time ago about an article he was writing on Olympia Beer’s billboard art from the 1930s through the 1950s. Sam publishes BLAG, […]

08/28/2026

There’s no better way to close out summer than with music, stories, great food and an evening at the Falls.

Join the Olympia Tumwater Foundation for the final Friends of the Falls: Evenings at the Falls of the season, featuring musician Vince Brown and storyteller Elizabeth Lord. Together, they’ll bring an entertaining mix of live music and storytelling to one of our region’s most beautiful settings.

Come early, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and settle in for an easygoing evening with food from Jean Pierre’s Three16, a beer garden hosted by Well 80 Brewhouse, and the sights and sounds of Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls.

📅 Saturday, September 5
🕓 4–7 pm
📍 Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls
🎟️ Free admission

Featuring:
Music & storytelling: Vince Brown & Elizabeth Lord
Food: Jean Pierre’s Three16
Beer garden: Well 80 Brewhouse

08/26/2026

Learn the heritage of Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls!

08/24/2026

We’re gearing up to create a community gathering space focused on science, nature, and the stories that have carried us to where the park is today. Your ongoing contribution supports forthcoming renovations. We invite you to be the bridge that connects us all to a new legacy at Tumwater Falls.

Have you joined Friends of the Falls yet? Set up your recurring, tax-deductible donation today and become an official member of the community who enjoys and cares for our beloved park—the scenic trails, the picnic and play areas, and, of course, the glorious falls.
https://olytumfoundation.org/friends-of-the-falls/