Spanaway Historical Society (Out of Many, One display)

Linen Tablecloth

Tablecloth used by pioneer women to serve dinner to immigrants to our area. In the 1850s, several wives of soldiers at Fort Steilacoom planned a dinner to welcome the latest wagon train traveling along the Naches Pass from the Oregon trail to their area. They wanted to persuade the families to build their cabins near their homesteads so they would have other women close at hand. The women prepared a table with an Irish linen tablecloth, china from home, and wonderful food to welcome these pioneer women. This tablecloth tells their story, a piece of their old lives brought with them to remember what they gave up to pursue new lives for their family.

How it represents the community’s American experience:

The tablecloth was given to Elizabeth by her mother. Elizabeth’s mom had arrived in New York from Ireland to begin a new life. Her mother had given her the tablecloth when she departed for the Northwest territory so she would remember her home and family. The tablecloth was handed down in their family to remind each other of new lives beginning. It had been handed down several times since, until the family made the museum its caretaker. Now we can share something as simple as a tablecloth that holds the promise of new lives and memories.

On display at the Prairie House Museum, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., yearround.