About Member Meetings: Four times a year, Historic Seattle invites its members and the public to learn about programs and projects of interest taking place in our community and through the auspices of Historic Seattle. Held at sites of historic or architectural interest, these events include social time with light refreshments and a short quarterly business meeting before the program.
This three-story brick commercial hotel building, located within the Pioneer Square National Historic District, was badly damaged by the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, and was at risk for demolition due to high rehabilitation costs. In September 2001, Historic Seattle stepped forward with an alternate engineering plan that would preserve the building, and lay the foundation for a long-term preservation project. Our efforts led to the purchase and subsequent rehabilitation of the building and grand re-opening in 2005. The Cadillac Hotel now serves as the permanent home for the National Park Service’s Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. The building’s basement and ground floors house exhibits commemorating and preserving the story of the rush to the Yukon gold fields in 1897-1898.
Learn about the rehabilitation work to the Cadillac, including repair and restoration of original wood- frame windows and exterior masonry walls; seismic reinforcement; parapet reconstruction; wall ties; and new interior shear and load-bearing framing. The building received a new roof, skylights, and storefront windows and doors. The property was brought up to current building safety and energy code requirements, and solar panels were installed on the rooftop.
Charles Beall, Superintendent, Seattle Area National Park Sites, will explain how our city’s national park is leveraging its urban location to reach new audiences, raise awareness of the National Park Service, and facilitate a sense of belonging. Learn how the Park collaborates with the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian American Pacific Experience and the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial to share stories of our past, present, and future.
Free and open to the public. Donations accepted.
Photo: Cadillac Hotel after restoration.