Information and photo thanks to the Filipino American National Historical Society and Maritime Washington National Heritage Area.
A powerful new traveling exhibit, “Filipinos and Washington’s Waterfront,” is currently showcased at King County Metro’s Water Taxi terminal at Pier 50 through the end of May.
“Filipinos and Washington’s Waterfront” uncovers personal stories that have long gone untold—stories of cannery workers, longshoremen, Navy sailors, faith leaders and families. This spring marked the debut of the exhibit which explores more than a century of Filipino history, labor and community along Washington’s saltwater shores.
Over the coming months, the physical exhibit is traveling to host sites around the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. To experience it in person, visit these locations throughout 2026:
- May: King County Metro hosts at King County Water Taxi terminal (Pier 50), Seattle
- June – September: Visit Bellingham Whatcom County, exact hosting location to be announced
- June – August: Lopez Island Historical Society hosting at Port Stanley Schoolhouse, Lopez Island
Can’t make it in person? Check out the companion online exhibit, which includes all of the same stories plus tons of bonus content.
Over the past two years (thanks to generous support from the National Park Foundation and National Trust for Historic Preservation), this exhibit was developed as a partnership between the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area and Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS). Working with Auntie Dorothy Cordova—the remarkable 93-year-old historian, activist, and co- founder of FANHS—and exhibit developer Jackie Peterson, we collaborated to record new oral histories, scan archival photos, dig through archives, and organize contributions from many members of the Filipino American community in Washington State.
Sharing these stories through the “Filipinos and Washington’s Waterfront” virtual exhibit, as well as a traveling banner exhibit that will visit a series of museums and public spaces throughout the region into 2026, is exactly the kind of work that Maritime Washington is meant to do: Connecting people with their state’s maritime heritage. By highlighting these stories and raising the visibility of our water-based heritage, we aim to inspire all Washingtonians to explore their own connection with our saltwater shores.
