This year marks the 100 Anniversary of Ft. Lewis. Erik Flint, Director of the Ft. Lewis Military Museum, describes Lewis as a "Young Buck, militarily speaking." One hundred doesn't seem especially old, particularly when Compared to Ft. Nisqually, which was actually located near where DuPont currently sits, and which was originally established in 1832; and Ft. Steilacoom, established in 1849. While both these posts were established to help promote safety for migration and settlers in the early establishment of Washington state, Ft. Lewis was established to help the war effort when World War I hit.

Flint explains that the establishment of the post set a legal precedent for the state, as well: "It was a scheme by local political leaders." They put forth a bond initiative that passed overwhelmingly, (by 84%) and was the only case where a municipality indebted itself to create a military installation. The two million dollar ("1916 dollars," Flint quips) price tag was taken on by Pierce County and Camp Lewis was established.

Flint will be covering these points and more when the DuPont Historical Society will bring him in to lecture on the history of the fort at the DuPont Community Presbyterian Church (502 Barksdale Ave.) Sunday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. Admission is free, though donations are accepted.  Diane Rice, tourism and Museum Coordinator at the City of DuPont says the talk will place some emphasis on the ways the city of DuPont and then Camp Lewis, now Ft. Lewis, work together; "it should be really good!" she promised.

The DuPont Historical Museum and Society were established in 1977 to preserve the history and artifacts of DuPont when the Weyerhaeuser Company purchased the land used by the DuPont Powder Works Company. This information and more can be learned at the DuPont Historical Museum (207 Barksdale Ave.)

Additional Ft. Lewis history can be learned at the Ft. Lewis Museum, open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The museum itself will be getting an overhaul in the coming months; this three million dollar (2016 dollars) project is happening through the museum's parent organization, the Center of Military History.  Improvements will include improved access from the freeway (that will be part of the upcoming freeway project) as well as brand new exhibit cases and lifelike mannequins that may or may not come to life (a' la Night at the Museum movies).