An offensive — and inaccurate —  plaque installed in Volunteer Park in the 1950s that came under new scrutiny amid increased anti-Asian hate during the pandemic has been quietly removed. Meanwhile, two much-loved features of the popular North Capitol Hill park are reopening, the Seattle Parks Department says.

A spokesperson Tuesday confirmed that last week’s removal of the plaque near the Seattle Asian Art Museum along the traffic circle surrounding the park’s iconic water tower was performed by the city and not vandalism. Many readers sent CHS pictures and notes last week of the empty large stone left behind where the plaque was once affixed but it wasn’t clear who had removed the bronze plate. Last year, vandals finally put to rest years of controversy after they toppled and permanently destroyed a Confederate monument in neighboring Lakeview Cemetery.

The Volunteer Park plaque, instead, was removed by Seattle Parks in consultation with community groups, the Seattle Parks spokesperson said.

CHS reported on the Volunteer Park Trust community group considering the best course for the offensive plaque in May after an op-ed published in the Northwest Asian Weekly brought new attention to the monument.

The stone was added to the park some 50 years after the name of the public space was changed to honor the soldiers of the Spanish-American War. Championed by J. Willis Sayre, a veteran of the war and writer who also helped drive the original 1901 name change from City Park, the plaque’s short inscription positioned the war and America’s involvement in a 30-word burst of jingoism:

RENAMED 1901
IN TRIBUTE TO THE
VOLUNTEER SERVICES OF
SPANISH-AMERICAN
WAR VETERANS
WHO LIBERATED THE
OPPRESSED PEOPLES OF
CUBA, PUERTO RICO AND
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
APRIL 1898 – JULY 1902

The Volunteer Park Trust had said the group was planning a wider community discussion including an option of  “adding-to, rather than removing” the plaque to provide “an opportunity to understand the social/cultural history of the park and the park system” and was hoping to form a coalition of groups to represent the city’s communities. The Seattle Parks spokesperson said she did not have more information about why the plaque was removed last week but said to expect more information from the trust soon.

Meanwhile, the park, still busy with construction to build a new $3 million amphitheater and with its overhauled Seattle Asian Art Museum inviting visitors again, will welcome the reopening this week of two of its most popular features.

Wednesday, the Volunteer Park Conservatory will reopen to the public after closing due to the pandemic in February. With COVID-19 compliance requirements in place, the facility will now be open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, closed Mondays. The 110-year-old conservatory celebrated a “historically accurate” overhaul in 2014. The year before, the city began charging an admission fee to help cover costs at the facility that the city says draws around 90,000 visitors annually and requires about $450,000 a year to operate. Free admission days have been temporarily suspended to keep crowds down. You’ll also be required to pay by credit card.

Operational Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Free admission days are temporary suspended.

Please note that the Volunteer Park Conservatory will continue to follow any current COVID-19 restrictions as outlined by the State, City or King County Public Health. The current guidance requires all staff and visitors to mask up upon entry regardless of vaccination status. Conditions may change as restrictions and guidelines evolve. 

We have made some changes for the health and safety of our community. Please be prepared for:

• Due to health and safety guidelines regarding Covid-19, the Conservatory is limiting the number of visitors at any one time.
• Social Distancing is required due to narrow walkways and viewing areas.  One way traffic flow will be required.
• Face masks are required indoors statewide, regardless of vaccination status
• Payment by card only admission and sales; no cash at this time
• Increased cleaning and sanitizing

Meanwhile, the park’s water tower is also again opening to the public after being locked up in April due to COVID concerns. Seattle Parks is hoping to not need to add new restrictions to the popular climb for tourists and those seeking a stair workout so please wear a mask and be considerate about others inside the structure.

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