The building now known as "Gladish," has morphed over the years. It was originally three buildings built over time, including a tower from 1892 housing all of Pullman's students, a 1913 high school building, and what we have now from 1929.

In 1931, Pullman High School included both senior and junior high school students and occupied all three buildings. However, in 1933 a fire destroyed the tower and damaged the other buildings.

Gladish as it stands today is a product of a renovation in 1954. The renovation included a performing arts wing, installation of the original terrazzo flooring, and formal front stairways.

In 1996 the Pullman School District put on the market the old high school on Main Street in downtown Pullman. The price was $340,000. That fall a group of interested citizens gathered to discuss the need for a community center, one with its own gymnasium, auditorium, offices, and youth programing. Those conversations grew into a vision for Pullman to have its own community facility for Pullman events and a space that could accommodate the fine and performing arts. The group knew that the old high school building was just “too good to throw away.”

Incorporated as the “Friends of Gladish,” we began in the fall of 1996 with ten members and quickly grew to over 150 active participants and donors with a mind to buy the building and create a Community and Cultural Center. In order to come up with the necessary funds, the Friends of Gladish asked “What if all the supporters loaned whatever they could?” Immediately the organization came up with pledges of over $150,000. With that, the Friends pledged to purchase the building and continued to raise money. With a little help from the community, the Friends were able to purchase the building.

Today the Gladish Community and Cultural Center is bustling with energy as it serves the community in many ways with everything from two Montessori schools, Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, to a successful roller derby league. Public spaces are in demand for many different occasions.

The Friends of Gladish is a 501c(3) non-profit organization. The continued maintenance and development of the building is an ongoing expense. Please consider donating to help keep this important, and useful, facility alive and well.