Why "Barlow" Gallery?

Our new gallery is named for several exceptional Pacific Northwest pioneers named ‘Barlow’ who were trailblazers in their communities starting in the mid-19th century. While not all being from the same family (‘Barlow’ was a more common name between 1840 and 1920), they all played key roles in the founding or leadership of several early institutions and places in both Washington and Oregon.

The last overland segment of the Oregon Trail was renamed “Barlow Road” after the earliest family party of seven wagons arrived via that route in 1845. The dirt road, together with the town of Barlow, Oregon (population 133), continues to exist, and Barlow pioneer descendants reside in Northwest communities like Tacoma even today.

People who set out to discover, establish, lead, or create anew are always an inspiration to others, regardless of the period in which they live.