Local 44 was chartered in Spokane on August 22, 1890, as the city rebuilt after the Great Fire. Its members have helped shape the Inland Northwest’s schools, hospitals, industries, and public spaces, including Spokane’s 1974 World’s Fair.[1]
That legacy continues through training and craftsmanship. Local 44’s apprenticeship program combines classroom learning with on-the-job experience over five years, preparing the next generation of piping professionals.[2]
02 / Milestones
The years that built our local.
Selected moments from Local 44’s history. Explore the anniversary book below for the full story.[1]
Our charter begins the story
Local 44 is chartered in Spokane on August 22.
A place to learn the craft
The local opens its own training center on Second Street.
Helping build Expo ’74
Local 44 members help construct Spokane’s World’s Fair.
A new home for our future
The hall and training center move to 3915 East Main Avenue.
Training takes a new shape
The apprenticeship program transitions to daytime school blocks.
135 years of Local 44
The August 22 anniversary marks a new chapter in a continuing story.
03 / Our union
Part of something bigger.
Local 44’s story belongs to the wider history of the United Association. Discover that history in four short films.
The United Association · Founded 1889
Founded in 1889, the United Association brings together skilled piping professionals across its affiliated local unions. These films trace the history of the organization that Local 44 calls home.[3]
United Association • Film 01The history of the UA01
Complete the four-part series with the United Association’s final installment.
Videos load only when you choose “Load video.” YouTube may collect data when a player loads. Playback begins when you press play. Direct YouTube links are available for every film, including when embedded playback is unavailable.
A national anniversary · 1889–2014
125 years of the United Association.
A retrospective of the UA’s founding, wartime expansion, postwar growth, modernization, and service in times of crisis.
Local 44 feature: Union Media, published August 27, 2025. UA history parts 1–4: United Association, published July 14, 2009. UA 125th-anniversary film: United Association, published October 7, 2014. Each film is linked directly above.
Local 44 seal and Spokane photograph: assets displayed on UA44.org. Video title cards are page graphics, not frames from the films.
