Experience Historical Kent Day celebrates city’s history Aug. 16

For the Reporter

Visitors and residents are invited to celebrate Kent’s past on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the first Experience Historical Kent Day.

Showcasing local history, the day-long celebration features special exhibits and bus and walking tours of the city’s oldest homes, businesses, parks and cemeteries.

Highlights include:

• Greater Kent Historical Museum and Mill Creek Neighborhood Historic Home and Garden Walking Tour, 855 E. Smith St., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every half-hour (last tour 3 p.m.). Turn-of-the-century and Great Depression-era homes. Purchase $20 tickets online or at the museum.

• Neely-Soames Historic Homestead Annual Open House, 5311 S. 237 Place (along the Green River Trail), 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Tour the grounds and get a glimpse of the way residents lived in 1885.

• Soos Creek Botanical Garden and Heritage Center, 29308 132nd Ave. SE, Auburn, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Antique quilts and cars, entertainment by the Old Time Fiddlers Association and more.

• Historic Downtown Walking Tours, corner of 2nd Ave. North and Meeker St., 10-11:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 2 p.m. Each walk is limited to the first 25 people.

• Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, 5917 S. 196th St., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Special free admission this day only to the nation’s primary resource for historical information on hydroplane racing.

• Historic Cemeteries Bus Tour: A pamphlet will be available for guests on this informative tour of Kent’s historic cemeteries. While the tour is free, registration is required for transportation planning.

For more details, visit kentwa.gov/ExperienceHistoricalKent or contact Toni Azzola, 253-856-5708.