Historical Museum Guide for Washington

Washington State History Museums

Great Hall of Washington History

Mount St. Helens Visitors Centers

Olympic National Park

The Oregon Trail

Washington State History Museum

Burroughs Home History Museum of Ritzville

This lovely old home built in 1889 was home to Dr. Frank R. Burroughs, one of the first physicians of Ritzville.  Much of the furnishings are original as is the wallpaper and floor coverings.  The Dr's study still contains his medical instruments and records.  Located at 408 Main Street in Ritzville, WA.

Railroad Depot History Museum of Ritzville

A real life old fashioned train depot built in 1910, which has been remarkably well preserved is located at the corner of Railroad Ave. & Washington St. in Ritzville, WA.

East Benton County Historical Museum

Focused on the history of eastern Benton County, the people and the Indians who once roamed this land, the museum offers many early artifacts.  Along with early farm tools, and local historic items, you will find ancient Indian petroglyphs which were brought here in 1939 from the Columbia River.

Located at 205 Keewaydin Drive facing Keewaydin Park, the oldest park in Kennewick, WA.

[Historic Photos]  [Pioneer Village Photos]

A complex of original pioneer structures, provide a glimpse into the life of pioneers in the Chelan County area.  The gift shop features wines from the local wineries.  Located at 600 Cotlets Way in Cashmere, WA.

Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center

Since 1939, this museum has been in operation, collecting, preserving and exhibiting the history of the people in the Wenatchee Valley region.  Featuring many Native American artifacts, exhibits about Washington's apple industry, pioneer tools, implements and antiques, the museum also offers current works by local artists and native residents.

127 South Mission

Wenatchee, WA 98801

Forks Timber Museum

Featuring a glimpse into the timbering industry of Washington, the museum offers exhibits related to logging history dating back to 1870.  See the Loggers Memorial located near the museum.

You will find these on the Olympic Peninsula in Forks, WA.

Makah Cultural and Research Center

Museum at the Carnegie

Operated by the Clallam County Historical Society, is housed in the beautifully restored 1919 Carnegie building.  Featured exhibits acquaint visitors with the early settlers of Clallam County.  The museum holds a large collection of Railroad artifacts and memorabilia.  Next door is the old Lincoln School which today is home to the Clallam County Historical Society's research library and the Genealogy Society Library.  Located at 933 West Ninth Street in Port Angeles, WA.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site  [Vancouver History]

Originally, it was the site of The Hudson Bay Company, and was used for fur trading.  Later a military post and known as Columbia Barracks, Fort Vancouver, an outpost created to help with American settlement and the subsequent Indian uprisings.  Archaeological digs of great interest are taking place at the fort and many artifacts have been uncovered.  These include Native American, military and objects related to the occupation of the area by the British Hudson Bay Company.  Another place of interest in the park is The McLoughlin House.  The house was home to John McLoughlin, known as the " Father of Oregon."  The home ha been restored and tours are offered.  Location is 612 East Reserve Street in Vancouver, WA.

Parker's Landing Historical Park

Pomeroy Living History Farm   [Virtual Tour]

Two Rivers Heritage Museum

The museum is devoted to the history of the Camas and Washougal area.  Located across the street from the Pendleton Woolen Mills at 1 16th Street in Washougal, WA.

Washougal Historic Downtown  [History of Washougal]

Boldman House Museum

Built in 1880 as a home for Joseph and Rosine Wolfstein, the house was saw several owners and was enlarged until it was purchased in 1912 by Steven A. Boldman.  The Boldman family retained possession of the home until 1999.  Today the home is full of original furnishings, antiques and artifacts.  Located on Fourth Street in Dayton, WA.

Dayton Washington Historical Depot

The oldest surviving train depot in Washington state, it was built in 1881 and today serves a museum.  Located at 222 E. Commercial St. in Dayton, WA.

Cowlitz County Historical Museum

The museum is focused on the history of Cowlitz County, Washington and the surrounding area.  Learn about settlers on the frontier and the early Indians of this region.  Located at 405 Allen Street in Kelso, WA.

Franklin County Historical Museum

[Historical Photos]

Housed inside a 1910 Andrew Carnegie library building, the museum features the history of Franklin County, Washington.  Location is 305 N. 4th Avenue in Pasco, WA.

Washington State Railroads Historical Society Museum

[Historic Railroad Depot Photos]

Grant County Historical Museum and Village

The village consists of over 29 buildings including a saloon, bank, schoolhouse, blacksmith sop, livery stable and more.  The museum features displays of Wanapum and Sinkiuse Indian artifacts, cowboying equipment and clothing, and other artifacts from the early settlement of Grant County.  Located at 742 N. Basin Street in Ephrata,WA.

Aberdeen Museum of History  [Kurt Cobain's Walking Tour]

Housed in an old 1921 Armory building, the museum offers exhibits ranging from model-Ts to old fire engines.

Chelalis Historical Museum

McCleary Historical Museum

Housed inside the 1940 home of John Carnell,the museum is devoted to the history of the city of McCleary, Washington and operated by the McCleary Historical Society.  Located at 314 South 2nd Street in McCleary, WA.

Polson Museum - A National Historic Site

Jefferson County Historical Society Museum

Housed inside the 1892 Port Townsend City Hall building, the museum features artifacts and exhibits related to the history of Jefferson County, Port Townsend and it's maritime history.  Located at 540 Water Street across the street from the Pope Marine Park in Port Townsend, WA.  The Jefferson County Historical Society also offers a research center located at 13692 Airport Cutoff Road on Highway 19, just outside of Port Townsend, WA.

Point Wilson Lighthouse

Point Wilson Station is in Fort Worden State Park near Port Townsend, WA.

Rothschild House Historical Home Museum  [History]

Located at the corner of Franklin and Taylor Streets, the historic home was built in 1865 for the D. C. H. Rothschild family, owner of Rothschild and Co. Mercantile.  This home was continuously inhabited by the Rothschild family for nearly 100 years, then donated to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.  The home, its furnishings, and even the gardens accurately reflect the culture of Washington state a century ago as they have been left intact.

Black Diamond Historical Museum

[Photo Gallery]

The museum is located in an old 1886 train depot and is operated by the Black Diamond Historical Society.  The mood is complete with a little old red caboose sitting out front on the tracks and an old jailhouse ca 1910 is nearby.  Location is 32627 Railroad Ave in Black Diamond, WA.

Gilman Town Hall Museum

Offers local history exhibits of the Gilman / Issaquah area along with the old 1914 Jail building which still stands in back of the museum. Housed inside the museum is the David J. Horrocks Research Center where you can research the history of early Issaquah families though the photo collection and research files.

Clise Mansion - Located in Marymoor Park.

Nordic Heritage Museum

Northwest Railway Museum

Renton History Museum

Devoted to the preservation, collection and display of artifacts, documents, photographs and other items related to the history of Renton, Washington.  Located at 235 Mill Avenue South in Renton, WA.

Seattle Museum of History and Industry   [Historic Photos]

Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum

Features the history of law enforcement in the northwest frontier and taming Seattle.  Located in historic Pioneer Square at 317 Third Avenue South.

Shoreline Historical Museum   [Historical Photos]

Housed inside the historical Ronald Elementary School, the museum features historical artifacts, documents and photographs related to the history of the Shoreline area of Washington.  Located at 749 North 175th in Shoreline, WA.

Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum  [Historic Photos]

Bainbridge Island Historical Museum

Housed inside a 1908 schoolhouse, the museum features historical artifacts and photographs related to the history of Bainbridge, WA.  Visit at 215 Erickson Avenue on Bainbridge Island in Washington state.

Kitsap County Historical Society Museum

Port Orchard Log Cabin Museum

Suquamish Museum

Kittitas County Historical Society

Olmstead Place State Park and Museum

The park features a working pioneer farm where visitors can see and learn what life was like on a pioneer farm through exhibits, historical farm artifacts and living history.  Located off of Ferguson Road just 3 miles west of Kittitas, WA.

Roslyn Museum

The museum features an extensive collection of mining memorabilia and historical photos.  Located at 203 Pennsylvania in Roslyn, WA.

Gorge Heritage Museum

Lewis County Historical Museum

Focused on the early pioneers of Lewis County, the museum features artifacts and exhibits of railroad memorabilia, household furnishings, Native American objects, logging exhibits and more.  Located at 599 NW Front Way in Chehalis, WA.

Veterans Memorial Museum

A museum dedicated to the men and women who served our nation in the Armed Forces, so we might enjoy the freedoms we have today.  Location is 100 SW Veterans Wan in Chehalis, WA.

Mason County Historical Museum

Railroad Ave and 5th St

Shelton, WA 98584

Early county history. Collections include early family histories, old newspapers, census, probate, death records and historical photos of Mason County.

Okanogan County Historical Museum

Artifacts, dioramas, and photographs tell the history of Okanogan County.  Outside the museum, visitors will find an authentic old log cabin and an Old West town replica.  Located on Business Alternate Highway 97 in Okanogan, WA.

Okanogan Highlands Museum and Old Molson

Old Molson Historical Museum, School Museum & Ghost Town

Shafer Museum at Winthrop

The museum includes the Guy Waring historic log cabin, a stamp mill, and mining equipment.  Exhibits include both historic artifacts and photographs.  During the summertime, programs are presented on the stage nearby.  Located in Winthrop, WA.

Ilwaco Heritage Museum

Pacific County Historical Museum & Genealogy Society 

[Virtual Tour]

Tiger Historical Center Museum

Built in 1912, this lone general store was once part of the busy town of Tiger, Washington.  The only remaining building, it is operated by the Tiger Historical Center as a museum and features photographs and artifacts related to the history of this town which has faded into history.  Located at the intersection of SR 20 and SR 31 about 86 miles north of Spokane, WA.

Camp 6 Logging History Museum

The museum is focused on the preservation and presentation of Washington State's logging history.  Featuring the Steam Era of Logging through photographs, artifacts, logging equipment and paintings, visitors will experience what life was like in a Washington logging camp in the days of yesteryear.  Logging train rides are also available.  Located inside Point Defiance Park at 5400 N. Pearl Street in Tacoma, WA.

Dupont Historical Museum

Job Carr Cabin Museum   [Photo Gallery]

Fort Nisqually Historic Site   [History]

Visit the 19th century in this living history museum where folks in period clothing perform the daily tasks of pioneers during the fur trade era.  Fort Nisqually was an outpost for Hudson's Bay.  Built in 1833, it was the first European settlement on Puget Sound. 

5400 N. Pearl Street #11

Tacoma, WA 98407

Fox Island Historical Museum

The museum contains exhibits about early life on Fox Island, Indian artifacts, a totem pole, the Acheson Log Cabin and many other displays focused on Fox Island history.  Located at 1017 Ninth Ave. in Fox Island, WA.

Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society and Museum

Meeker Mansion

The 1887 mansion was home to Ezra Meeker, founder of the town of Puyallup.  Today, tours and rentals for special occasions are offered.  Location is 321 Pioneer in Puyallup, WA.

Pioneer Family and Pioneer Farm Museums

Steilacoom Historical Museums

Steilacoom Tribal Cultural Center and Museum

Tacoma Pioneer Telephone Museum

Working Waterfront Maritime Museum

Lopez Island Historical Museum   [Historic Homes]

Orcas Island Historical Museum   [Historic Photos]

San Juan Historical Museum

Anacortes History Museum

Devoted to the history of the Puget Sound islands of Fidalgo and Guemes, you will find a research library with an exhibition gallery along with the Sternwheel Snagboat W. T. Preston which has been declared a National Historic Landmark.  The Anacortes Museum is located at 1305 8th Street in Anacortes, WA.  The W. T. Preston is located at 713 R Avenue in Anacortes, next to the Snagboat Heritage Center.

Skagit County Historical Museum

[General Store Virtual Tour]

Exploring the history of Skagit County, from early farm life to Native American history, this museum also features a research library with extensive documents and photographs.

501 South 4th Street

LaConner, WA 98257

Blackman House Museum

The lovely little farmhouse was built in 1878 by Hyrcanus Blackman and is now operated by the Snohomish Historical Society.  Featuring artifacts and antiques of the Victorian era, visitors will get a taste of live in the late 1800s.  Located at 118 Avenue B in Snohomish, WA.

Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Museum

Granite Falls Historical Museum  

[Historic Photos]   [Loggers Memorial]

The museum is focused on the local history of Granite Falls, WA and includes exhibits and displays about logging, railroading, mining, the mills and historical items related to early history.  Located at 109 E. Union Street in Granite Falls, WA.

Lake Stevens Historical Museum

Located next to the public Library, the Lake Stevens  Historical Society operates this small museum which displays artifacts and historic photos related to the history of Lake Stevens, WA.

Monroe Historical Society Museum

Mukilteo Lighthouse Museum

Snohomish County Museum

Stanwood Area History Museum and D. O. Pearson House

[Historic Places of Stanwood and Photos]

Stillaquamish Valley Pioneer Museum   [Photos]

Focused on the early pioneers who homesteaded the Stillaguamish Valley in Washington State, the museum features artifacts including logging, dairy, military, railroad, sports and medical items.  Located at 20722 67th Avenue NE in Arlington, WA.

Campbell House Mueseum Tour

Erected in 1898, the English Tudor Revival home has been restored and offers visitors a glimpse into the ways of live at the turn of the century.  Tours of this historic home are provided by the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture monthly.  Located at W. 2316 1st Avenue in Spokane, WA.

Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

Chewelah History Museum   [Historic Photos]

Keller Heritage Center Museum & Park

Bigelow House Museum

Built in 1860, this historic house has the distinction of being the oldest home in Olympia, Washington.  The collections include original furnishings, documents, photographs and personal belongings of the Daniel R. Bigelow family.  Located at 918 Glass Avenue, NE in Olympia, WA.

Crosby House Museum

Built in 1860, this historic house has been restored and furnished with period furnishings.

Henderson House Museum

Located in Tumwater, this historic home is 100 years old and has been established as a museum.  For more information on historic Tumwater, see the Tumwater Research Center Online where you will find information about the South Puget Sound Indians The Oregon Trail, and early Tumwater pioneers with photos. 

Also of interest: historical landmarks in Tumwater

State Capital Museum  [Online Exhibits]

Housed in the historical Lords Mansion, the museum features exhibits related to the history cultural heritage of Washington state.  A large collection of Native American artifacts and history is among their offerings.  Located at 211 21st Avenue SW in Olympia, WA.

Wahkiakum County Historical Museum - River Street Museum

[History and Other Historic Sites in Wahkiakum County]

Displaying Native American artifacts and historical memorabilia and historic photos of the Cathlamet area since 1954.

J C Barron Flour Mill at Oakesdale

Located at 1st and Jackson Streets in Oakesdale, WA.

Whitman County Historical Society

R E Powell Museum of Grandview History

[Photos]

This local history museum features artifacts and exhibits related to the rich history of Grandview, Washington.  Located at 311 Division Street in Grandview, WA.

Yakima Nation Cultural Heritage Center  [Toppenish Murals]

Explore the cultural heritage of the Plateau People.  Located at Highway 97 & Buster Road in Toppenish, WA.

Yakima Valley Museum  [Yakima Memory]

Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Museum

Museum Index for Other States

Washington Census Records