The Pacific Northwest, namely Oregon and Washington, has an aura of mystery surrounding its history. Unlike the East Coast, where visitors regularly flock to view well-known attractions marking milestones in the country’s past, the West is a bit harder to pin down when it comes to yesteryear. After all, much of the country’s West Coast wasn’t settled until the mid- to late 19th century, so how much history does the area really have? You’d be surprised.
"I think the Northwest has always had the mystique of the unknown," says Keith Backsen, vice president and director of sales for the Spokane Regional CVB.
In particular, the region’s metro areas are steeped in an intriguing past, making their stories deliciously juicy.
Subterranean Sights
In Portland, for example, there is a collection of tunnels—known as the Shanghai Tunnels, running underneath Old Town. According to the tale (questioned by some historians), back in the mid-1800s, unsuspecting local workers were kidnapped, taken through the tunnels to the water and then enslaved on boats. Today, groups can tour the tunnels.
"There is a labyrinth of tunnels under some of the old buildings in Old Town," says Jeff Miller, president and CEO of Travel Portland. "I think people are fascinated because it is really a part of Portland that you never see. There is a spooky mystery to it."
Another example is Seattle’s Underground, a popular tour for groups visiting the Emerald City. As the story goes, Seattle was first built too close to the water’s edge, but in 1889 the city nearly burned to the ground. When workers started rebuilding, they did so "one level higher than it was before," says Jani Lauvrak Lee, senior national account executive for SH Worldwide (formerly Seattle Hospitality Services).
"When settlers built Seattle, they measured it at low tide," she says. "So when the tide came in, it caused a horrible water and plumbing situation. The fire ended up being a good thing. Now you can take a tour and learn all about the history. There was a lot of corruption at the time and now there are tons of fun stories to tell."
Fresh-Air Finds
In addition to taking a walking tour of the Shanghai Tunnels, groups can work with Portland Walking Tours to explore the city’s Steel Bridge and the Hawthorne Bridge, two of the oldest bridges in the country.
Meanwhile, Portland was largely built as a timber town, and Miller encourages groups to learn more about that part of its history.
"Visit the World Forestry Center," he recommends, adding that there is space for groups to gather. "It talks about the history of the forest and the importance of the forest to this part of the country. It explains why the Pacific Northwest was so important to the country because of timber."
In Seattle, a great way to get outside and enjoy a bit of history is in Pioneer Square, the city’s oldest neighborhood.
"Pioneer Square is the historic Seattle," Lauvrak Lee says. "All of the buildings are old brick and very charming. Now it is filled with wonderful little jazz clubs, gift shops, cafes, businesses and book stores."
About a mile away from the square, groups can stop at Pikes Place Market, the "longest continually running market in the country," she says, adding that the first Starbucks Coffee is located in the complex.
Outside Seattle in Bellevue, groups can enjoy history and the outdoors with a cruise on Meydenbauer Bay, a longtime local gathering place, with Argosy Cruises.
"Meydenbauer Bay has always been the gathering place for the city," says Brenda Dodson, director of sales for the Bellevue Convention Sales Group.
Agrosy also offers dinner cruises aboard the MV Kirkland, a 1924 ferryboat, a little north of Bellevue in Kirkland.
Hotels of Yesteryear
The Pacific Northwest is filled with group-friendly historic properties.
Portland’s Benson Hotel, built in 1913, is a shining example. The hotel recently finished a renovation and is one of the city’s hottest places to stay.
"It is amazing," Miller says. "You could never recreate what they’ve done in that lobby."
The Heathman Hotel is another historic Portland property and dates back to 1927. Rated as one of the "World’s Best Places to Stay" by Conde Nast Traveler, groups love frequenting its Tea Court Lobby for events.
"There is amazing wood paneling in the Tea Court," Miller says. "You really see that Old World charm and get a sense of how things used to be."
South near Bend in Sunriver, groups can enjoy the historic charm of Sunriver Resort. The property sits on the former site of Camp Abbot, a World War II training facility. It offers a variety of meeting facilities, including its refurbished Great Hall, the camp’s former officers’ quarters.
Only an hour north of Sunriver in Sisters, Ore., is the Five Pine Lodge & Conference Center, modeled after the historic Lewis and Clark Forestry Building, shown at the 1905 World’s Fair.
Groups more interested in recent history can head up to Seattle’s Edgewater Hotel. The property features a variety of space to meet as well as The Beatles Suite, a room where the legendary group stayed during their 1964 American tour. The suite boasts memorabilia such as a photo of the Beatles and a Beatles CD for guests’ listening pleasure.
A little more than a mile away are two additional meetings-friendly historic Seattle properties: Fairmont Olympic Hotel, which opened in 1924, and Mayflower Park Hotel, built in 1927 and beautifully restored with a European flair.
Travel about four hours east of Seattle to Spokane and groups can stay in the same place as legends such as Amelia Earhart, Clark Gable, Bob Hope and Charles Lindbergh: The Davenport Hotel and Tower. The property opened in 1914 but closed in 1985. It reopened in 2002 after a $40 million restoration project and now welcomes groups in its variety of elegantly decorated banquet and meeting rooms.
Artsy Past
The Pacific Northwest is a haven for artists, actors and musicians, so it is no wonder that the area brims with a rich history in the creative arts.
Portland’s Gerding Theater at the Armory, located in the historic Armory building, is a great place to see a show or plan a group gathering.
"It is a fascinating building and is one of the best acoustic experiences," Miller says. "We do a lot of events in the lobby there."
Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, which opened in 1926, is another popular historical spot and can hold groups of more than 2,000 guests.
A few blocks away is The Paramount Theatre, originally built in the late 1920s, and The Moore Theatre, built in the early 1900s.
In Spokane, travelers can visit Martin Woldson Theater at the FOX, a renowned establishment that was recently renovated.
"It is an Art Deco movie house that was built back in the ,20s," Backsen says. "Five years ago it was closed up. They’ve spent over $31 million to renovate it and now it is part of the Spokane Arts District. It’s been restored back to its original level in the 20s. Groups can go for events, and you don’t have to decorate because it is so phenomenally beautiful; you don’t want to take away from what you see."
Museum Meanderings
Museums in the Pacific Northwest are sure to impress the most discerning history buff.
The Oregon Historical Society Museum, located in Portland, is a regional highlight with exhibits showcasing the Lewis and Clark expedition and space for group gatherings.
Down in Bend, The High Desert Museum is dubbed the "Smithsonian Museum of the West" and features displays on the history of the area as well as appearances by costumed stagecoach drivers and pioneers.
Seattle is home to the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame.
"It provides a tremendous history of music and you can do events there," Lauvrak Lee says. "You can even see the first electric guitar and see an exhibit on Jimi Hendrix, who is from Seattle."
The Museum of Flight, located right outside Seattle in King County, highlights the region’s history in aviation and is a hot destination for visiting groups, according to Lauvrak Lee. There are dozens of aircraft on display, including the supersonic Concorde and the first Air Force One jet.
"Groups love it," she says. "That is my No. 1 destination to do off-site events. They have the history of every plane and several sections where you can see planes past and present. You can explore and get a fabulous sense of history."
North of Seattle in Snohomish County, Boeing’s legendary story is on display at the Future of Flight Aviation & Boeing Tour, located just outside Everett in Mukilteo. The facility features several Boeing planes as well as other jet airliners and several spaces for groups to meet, including a gallery, two meeting rooms and an observation deck.
Visitors can also tour Boeing’s assembly plant, which is housed in "the largest building in the world by volume," says Sandy Ward, spokesperson for Future of Flight. "The building is 98.3 acres. All of Disneyland could fit inside and leave 12 acres for covered parking."
Tacoma, located 30 minutes south of Seattle, is a museum capital with an entire district dedicated to regional heritage. Tacoma’s Museum District features the Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass and Washington State Museum—all linked by a bridge decorated in glass made by celebrated glass designer and Tacoma resident Dale Chihuly.
—Katie Morell is a Chicago-based freelance writer and former Meetings Media editor. Portland is her favorite city in the Pacific Northwest, having run a marathon through its streets and vacationed there countless times.
