#TBT: A Puyallup family loading the wagon on their way to American Lake to celebrate the Fourth of July sometime in the 1880s. The first Fourth in Puyallup was actually celebrated on the fifth of July in 1841, the 4th that year was a Sunday, as it is 180 years later in 2021.

Artifact of the Week: What do you think this is? What was it used for? Where do you think it was made? To see more of our Artifacts of the Week, check out our website, bit.ly/34UVYlt. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #ArtifactoftheWeek

Throw Back Thursday: This undated photo shows Puyallup's Central Hotel, built at the behest of Ezra Meeker in 1879, one side covered in icicles which had formed during a particularly cold winter. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #TBT

Artifact of the Week: Guess your answers below and check back Friday to see you are correct! What kind of sea life do you think this is? Where does it live? How have people used it? To see more of our Artifacts of the Week, check out our website, bit.ly/34UVYlt.

Artifact of the Week: Guess your answers below: What kind of sea life do you think this is? Where does it live? How have people used it? To see more of our Artifacts of the Week, check out our website, bit.ly/34UVYlt.

Then & Now: From our collection-a canteen that is over 150 years old. Today those looking to slake their thirst on-the-go more often turn to water bottles such as those pictured. Perhaps we regret losing the strap, but the modern version fits much better (usually) into cupholders

Throw Back Thursday: This photo, taken in 1931, shows two gentlemen taking a victory lap after racing a 1906 Oldsmobile, nicknamed "Old Scout," in an "Old Automobile Race" which took place at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #TBT

Artifact of the Week: Guess your answers below: What kind of insect is this? Where does it live? What does it eat? To see more of our Artifacts of the Week, check out our website, bit.ly/34UVYlt. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #ArtifactoftheWeek

Then & Now: These mittens were made from raccoon skin, for when knitted mittens just wouldn't do the job against the cold winters. Now we have synthetic fabrics to keep our hands warm (and the raccoons happy). #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #KarshnerThenandNow

Artifact of the Week: What kind of fossil do you think this is? How old is it? How do you think it was formed? To see more of our Artifacts of the Week, check out our website, bit.ly/34UVYlt. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #ArtifactoftheWeek

#TBT: This 1936 photo shows Puyallup Olympian Gertrude Wilhelmsen posing with a javelin, next to sister Hildegard. Both tried out for the US Olympic team but only Gertrude qualified. She went on to compete in Berlin, placing 7th in women's javelin throw, 8th in discus throw.

Artifact of the Week: What country do you think this sickle came from? Who would have used it? When do you think it was made? To see more of our Artifacts of the Week, check out our website, bit.ly/34UVYlt. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #ArtifactoftheWeek

Then & Now: Not many kids play with jacks these days, but when they do they are often made of plastic, a far cry from these antique metal jacks from the early 20th century. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #KarshnerThenandNow

#TBT: This 1915 photo shows the starting line of a "Race to the Mountain" between a train and several automobiles, from Tacoma to Ashford, near Mount Rainier. This was a publicity event, which was commemorated with a "moving picture" shown at 1915 World's Fair in San Francisco.

Then & Now: This lard pail dating from settler times was used as a lunch box, either by schoolchildren or adults working away from the home. Today's options often offer more stylish choices, & sometimes include a thermally protected beverage container. #KarshnerCenterProud #T&N

Throw Back Thursday: This photo from 1899 shows Dr. Warner Karshner, founder of the collections here at Karshner Center, with the class of students he taught at the "Old" Spinning School, which was built in 1891. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #TBT

Artifact of the Week: What do you think this bird is made from? Where was it made? Who made it? To see more of our Artifacts of the Week, check out our website, bit.ly/34UVYlt. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #ArtifactoftheWeek

Then & Now: This coin sorter, used in Riley's Department Store, dates from the first half of the twentieth century and has slots for each denomination of coin. Nowadays there are electronic options available for those serious about counting their change. #KarshnerThenandNow

Artifact of the Week: What kind of sea animal made this shell? Where does it live? What does it eat? To see more of our Artifacts of the Week, check out our website, bit.ly/34UVYlt. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #ArtifactoftheWeek

Artifact of the Week: What kind of butterfly do you think this is? Where do they live? What do they eat? How common are they? To see more of our Artifacts of the Week, check out our website, bit.ly/34UVYlt. #KarshnerCenter #KarshnerCenterProud #ArtifactoftheWeek