Foss Waterway Seaport

By realizing the restoration and renovation of the historic Balfour Dock Building and using the building, docks and adjacent areas as a public facility, Foss Waterway Seaport celebrates the rich maritime history of the Tacoma community and the region through interpretation, education, and events that tell the stories of our collective past, present and future.

We tell stories that celebrate:
The natural environment
People of the region
Maritime and boating history
Commerce and trade
Unique stories of Tacoma

We tell visitors our stories through multi-dimensional and multi-sensory encounters with the past, the present, and the future that include:

Historic artifacts and boats and education programs that put students and adults both in the classroom and on the water “doing and discovering”
Permanent, rotating and transient exhibits that are visual and three dimensional, hands-on, and invite visitors into the experience through sight, sound, smell, touch and emotion and allow visitors to direct their own inquiry
A true “feel” for the historic Balfour Dock Building and the waterfront

Exhibits

BALFOUR DOCK
Located on the waterfront in a century-old wooden wheat warehouse, built for cargo arriving by rail and departing by sail (see Where Rails Meet Sails) during the early years of Tacoma.

WHERE RAILS MEET SAILS
In 1873 Tacoma was chosen as the terminus for the Northern Pacific Railroad. This had a profound impact on our waterfront and community. See a model of our Tacoma railroad yard, experience interactive exhibits, drive a train using a simulator.

EXPLORATION AREA
Doodle on a 200 ft2 blackboard, learn about sea stars with a giant floor puzzle and explore different topics about Tacoma’s waterfront science in the Exploration Area.

DISPLAY TANKS
The Critter Zone display tanks are open to the public during FREE Third Thursday each month. Come and learn about the animals that inhabit Puget Sound

PUYALLUP PEOPLE: FIRST ON THE WATERWAY
The Puyallup have traveled these waters for centuries. Learn more about their history, customs, stories, and how they have lived as a part of the Puget Sound

HISTORIC DIVING
Come and explore accoutrements from bygone eras of early diving.  See vintage diving gear from the 1950s and 1960s, including Jacques Cousteau’s diving suit! Travel back to an era where undersea exploration reached new depths with the advancement of breathing apparatus technology.  See hard-helmet diving gear including an 1865 air pump!

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