SAH MDR “Mini” Conference
October 10-12, 2025
Tacoma, Washington
The Marion Dean Ross/Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians will be holding our third annual "mini" conference October 10-12, 2025 in Tacoma. This year we are again planning our event to be contiguous with Washington's PLACES conference, which will be October 8-10 in nearby in Gig Harbor. SAH MDR members get a special discount for the PLACES conference. Use PARTNER-SAHMDR as a promo code for 25% off! More info here.
As a direct response to the mounting political and financial threats to our cultural institutions, we have selected the theme: "Resist, Reclaim, Restore: Preserving an Inclusive Heritage" for our 2025 mini-conference. We are committed to supporting a deeper understanding of inclusive and underrepresented narratives in architectural history, ensuring our field retains and continues the progress it has made toward being more dynamic, relevant, and accessible to all.
Register today to join us for our third annual "mini" conference in Tacoma, October 10-12, 2025! Below is our tentative conference schedule, with more details and session topics coming soon.
Tentative Schedule
Thursday, October 9
Hosted welcome happy hour (evening)
Friday, October 10
Tour of Historic Black Sites in Tacoma’s Hilltop Neighborhood (morning)
(various locations)
Tour of the Japanese American Mukai Farm and Garden on Vashon Island (afternoon)
Mukai Farm and Garden - 18017 107th Ave SW, Vashon, WA 98070 (ferry ride required)
No-host brewery/pub meet-up (evening)
Saturday, October 11
Panel discussion, paper sessions, and a special presentation from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians (morning/afternoon)
Evergreen State College Tacoma - 1210 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405
No-host brewery/pub meet-up (evening)
Sunday, October 12
Workshop and SAH MDR/PNW chapter meeting (morning/afternoon)
Washington State History Museum - 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Please note: Mini-conference scheduling and plans are subject to change!
Special thanks to our generous sponsors!
Hotel Options
We do not have a singular conference hotel or room block, but we are happy to provide some hotel ideas for those who will be traveling. The bulk of activities will be in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood and downtown.
Mid Option (Best Deal): Hotel Murano
1320 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402 (Distance: 1.3 miles)
4.5 stars
$150 - $190 per night
Budget Option: Extended Stay
2120 S. 48th St., Tacoma, WA, 98409 (Distance: 4.0 miles)
2.5 stars
$125 - $150 per night
Ultra-Economy Option: GuestHoust Inn Fife
3021 Pacific Highway East, Fife, WA, 98424 (Distance: 4.9 miles)
2.5 stars
$75 - $100 per night
Luxury Option: Marriott Downtown
1538 Commerce Street, Tacoma, WA, 98402 (Distance: 1.3 miles)
4 stars
$260 - $320 per night
Scholarships Available
This year we are thrilled to be able to offer mini-conference scholarships which will include complementary registration as well as up to $500 in travel support. Applications are especially welcome from students, emerging professionals, and attendees from historically underrepresented communities, but we are happy to receive an application from anyone needing financial assistance for any reason.
Scholarship recipients will be required to write and submit a brief reflection on their experience at the mini-conference (accompanying photos encouraged!) which will be published in the SAH MDR e-news.
Scholarship applications were due at 11:59pm, Friday, August 1, 2025. We will continue to leave the form open, but priority will be given to applications which met the deadline.