This postcard for the 75th anniversary of the Puyallup Assembly Center contrasts how “Camp Harmony” looked in 1942 vs. the present day.
PUYALLUP, Wash. — The Puyallup Valley Chapter of the JACL, in conjunction with the Washington State Fair, will host the 75th Remembrance of Puyallup Assembly Center, “Camp Harmony,” on Sept. 2.
Following Executive Order 9066, more than 7,500 Japanese and Japanese Americans from Washington and Alaska were incarcerated on the Puyallup Fairgrounds from April-September 1942.
The event, set to take place on the Coca Cola Stage from 10-11 a.m., will welcome keynote speaker Tom Ikeda, executive director of Densho; Lori Matsukawa of KING 5 News will serve as mistress of ceremonies.
This day will be dedicated to honoring those impacted by the Puyallup Assembly Center. The dedication of a new sign for the George Tsutakawa sculpture “Harmony” will follow the main event.
In addition, the fair museum will house interactive exhibits and displays, including a replica of a horse stall and family barrack room. The video “The Silent Fair,” complete with personal recollections of living on the fairgrounds, will play continuously inside the museum.
This community event is open to the general public. All Japanese American survivors and their families from all assembly centers, camps and detention facilities are invited.
Acknowledgement will be given to those in attendance who were incarcerated at PAC.
If you know a living survivor, please contact Sharon Sobie Seymour at ssproevents@comcast.net. For additional information and updates, visit www.puyallupvalleyjacl.org.
