Joseph Govednik
Media
New Historical Museum exhibit explores Cowlitz County's WWI contributions
November 15, 2017
A century ago, World War I dragged most of the world into its wake, and a new museum exhibit focuses on Cowlitz County’s involvement in the fight.
The Cowlitz County Historical Museum on Sunday opened a temporary exhibit called “The Great War: A Cowlitz County Centennial Reflection,” which explores how the Lower Columbia region participated in the war effort. Museum director Joseph Govednik said the project is the fulfillment of an old wish.
New Historical Museum director ready for the challenge
July 25, 2017
Joseph Govednik is aware he has some big shoes to fill.
Govednik became the Cowlitz County Historical Museum Director on July 17, taking over for David Freece, who directed the museum for 31 years and who was beloved in the community.
Mysteries at the Museum - The Pig War
October 28, 2016
Joseph is featured in the Travel Channel's Mysteries at the Museum to discuss an artifact directly related to the Pig War in the San Juan Islands. The show discusses how this impacted United States politics and President Buchanan's reaction to the issue. The artifact, a firearm, is currently housed at the Washington State Historical Society.
All rights for video content goes to the Travel Channel, Mysteries at the Museum.
Tacoma sculpture about Chinese railroad workers found after 19 years in storage
September 24, 2015
Forget Stradivarius violins gathering dust in attics.
The City of Tacoma has just rediscovered a large bronze sculpture by Chinese artist Hai Ying Wu that was made in 1996 for the Chinese Reconciliation Park but instead spent two decades in storage. Now, thanks to curator Joseph Govednik, it has been resurrected at the Foss Waterway Seaport, where it will be unveiled in a public event Sunday. The piece will remain on loan to the Foss for a few months before eventually finding a permanent home along Tacoma’s future Prairie Line Trail.
Free walk event celebrates Tacoma’s waterfront
Suburban Times, May 1, 2015
Tacoma, Wash. – Enjoy a free, guided walk along Tacoma’s Waterfront on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 from noon – 1 p.m.
The Walk Tacoma Waterfront Walk, sponsored by Commencement Bank, is a 1.7-mile lunchtime walk, led by Joseph Govednik, Curator of Collections with the Foss Waterway Seaport and Carola Filmer, Community Relations Manager with the Port of Tacoma. The walk will highlight the history and current development of Tacoma’s waterfront and port, and starts at Fireman’s Park at S. 9th & A Street. Participants will experience great views from Fireman’s Park and the Murray Morgan Bridge, walk along the waterfront, and have a sneak peek of the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum before it opens on May 17. There is no need to pre-register for the event, simply join Downtown On the Go at the meeting spot.
Tacoma’s history comes alive during graveyard tour
The News Tribune, July 18, 2014
The Fort Nisqually Time Travelers is a group of living history actors who research notable Tacoma citizens and portray them at living cemetery tours.
Joseph Govednik, an actor in the tour, said the event offers a new way for people to experience and learn about Tacoma’s fascinating history.
“It’s academic like reading a book, but it’s entertaining like watching TV,” he said. “I just find a richness about Tacoma that I haven’t found anywhere else.”
Working Waterfront Museum showcases Tacoma’s Maritime Past
May 15, 2013
The Foss Waterway Seaport’s Working Waterfront Museum made a splash May 11 during its grand opening festivities celebrating the facility’s re-opening after an 18-month closure for construction.
Located in the historic Balfour Dock building, Puget Sound’s premier maritime heritage and education destination now features exhibits highlighting the unique stories of Tacoma’s maritime past.
Known more as a logging town before the Northern Pacific Railroad entered the area, Tacoma did not truly become a booming metropolis until a port operation was developed. “That is what’s interesting about Tacoma’s maritime history,” said Curator of Collections Joseph Govednik. “In many cases, cities were built first, and ports were developed later. But in Tacoma, the port came first, and the city followed.”