Member Feature: Tacoma History Comes Alive!

A Tacoma Story That Runs in the Family

For Patty Mannie, Tacoma history isn't simply something to study. It's personal.

A fourth-generation Tacoman, Patty's family story is rooted in the history of the city she now spends her time helping others discover.

Patty began her career in banking, but eventually the pull of Tacoma's history—and her own family's deep roots here—became her passion. Today, she is writing her own chapter in Tacoma's history by sharing the stories of our community with audiences near and far.

Her family's Tacoma story dates back more than a century. In 1907, Patty's grandfather came from Ireland, first settling in Michigan before making his way to Pierce County. In 1934, her grandparents, Edward and Alma, opened Eddie's Café on St. Paul Avenue, where they remained in business for an impressive 45 years.

Public service also runs through Patty's family. Her Uncle Roy was Tacoma's first Fire Marshal. Her father worked at the Post Office in the Proctor District, and her grandfather, uncle, and several cousins served as firefighters.

Bringing Tacoma's Past to Life

Today, Patty is the founder of Tacoma History Comes Alive!, where she turns the people, buildings, homes, businesses, and sometimes notorious events of Tacoma's past into stories that are anything but dusty history lessons.

Patty leads walking tours through downtown Tacoma, sharing the history and secrets behind familiar buildings and introducing participants to the people and events that helped shape the city.

Her research is going even deeper. Move into a historic Tacoma home, and Patty can uncover its story—including the families who lived there before you, what previous owners did for a living, who built the home, and even what was happening in Tacoma during that period.

The Stories You Didn't Learn in School

Patty's presentations explore some of the most fascinating chapters in Tacoma history, including She Built Tacoma, highlighting the women who helped shape our city; the story of the Tacoma Narrows Bridges; Notorious Crimes of Tacoma; Tacoma Confections, exploring the city's sweeter side; and Wine and Crime, an evening of bootleggers, brothel owners, furniture-store owners, arson, cops and robbers.
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Yes, Tacoma has stories, and Patty knows where the bodies are buried. Figuratively speaking, we hope.

A Little Tacoma History, Just in Time for Halloween

This fall, Chamber members will have an opportunity to experience Patty's storytelling for themselves. Patty Mannie and Tacoma History Comes Alive! will be hosting a special event at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber office in October.

Considering Patty's knowledge of Tacoma's more notorious history, we're planning this one at just the right time of year.

Stay tuned for the frightening details...

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Connect with Tacoma History Comes Alive!

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