2025 REMEMBRANCE: The Legacy of Executive Order 9066 in Washington StateNEW

REMEMBRANCE: The Legacy of Executive Order 9066 in Washington State.
Explore the intergenerational impacts and lasting legacy of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. This exhibition presents a powerful collection of photographs, art, objects, letters, and film, many of which were contributed by survivors and their descendants. Through these personal stories, visitors gain a deeper understanding of how Executive Order 9066 shaped the lives of Japanese Americans, their families, and their communities.

Exhibition Details

Dates: Permanent Exhibition
Location: Third Floor, Washington State Historical Society
Ages: All ages
Tickets: Purchase admission tickets online or at the museum.
Accessibility: The exhibition is fully mobility accessible, with exterior ramps, elevators, and available wheelchairs.

Virtual Gallery Tour
Discover the exhibition online through an immersive virtual gallery tour. Experience history through multimedia storytelling and firsthand accounts of those affected by Executive Order 9066.

The History
The Japanese community in Washington State dates back to the 1890s, when early immigrants took on low-wage jobs in railroads, sawmills, salmon canneries, farms, and domestic labor. Over the decades, they became integral to Washington’s cultural and economic landscape.

However, rising tensions and restrictive laws created challenges for Japanese Americans, which escalated following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Fear and uncertainty surged, culminating in President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s issuance of Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942. This order led to the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese American citizens in concentration camps, an event that left a lasting mark on families and communities.

REMEMBRANCE Video
Survivors and their descendants share their personal experiences in this 14-minute video, shedding light on the intergenerational impact of incarceration. Created in collaboration with Slager Fuj Creative Media (Seattle, WA) and the Washington State Historical Society.

REMEMBRANCE Curriculum
New Curriculum for Primary and Secondary Education

The Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) has developed an educational curriculum with lesson plans designed to help educators teach the history of Executive Order 9066 and its effects on Washington State.

Contribute to the Gallery
The Historical Society continues to collect materials to expand the exhibition and educational resources. If you have a family story, artifact, or historical materials to share, please contact: Gwen Whiting, Lead Exhibitions Curator