Even on cloudy days, Mount Rainier’s rugged 14,410-foot peak sparks our imaginations, and our hearts skip a beat when we’re lucky enough to see its sunny glacial gleam. This breathtaking icon is one of the state’s most beloved landmarks. Known to the Puyallup people as təqʷuʔmaʔ, the most dominant topographic feature in our region is their traditional and ancestral land, as well as that of the Cowlitz, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Squaxin Island, and Yakama tribes.

This exhibition will focus on our human connections with Mount Rainier. 2024 marks its 125th anniversary as a national park, and it continues to attract millions of tourists, climbers, and nature lovers to its snowy slopes every year.

The exhibition will explore the history of mountaineering and recreation through artwork, photographs, promotional materials, mountaineering gear, and souvenirs. It will also feature pieces from the Washington State Historical Society’s notable Rainier Beer collection, including an original “Wild Rainier” costume from the legendary television commercials.