The Kittitas County Historical Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Mission
To collect and preserve materials, which may help establish, illustrate, and educate about the history of Kittitas County. To provide accessibility to all who wish to examine or study it, as well as to disseminate historical information and arouse interest in Kittitas County history through exhibit and interpretation.
Museum History
In 1961, a group of eleven local community members gathered together to discuss the creation of an organization that would be charged with the preservation of the history of the Kittitas Valley. The community members were descendents of early pioneers of Kittitas County.
In 1963, the Kittitas County Historical Society officially formed with the primary goal of establishing a space in which to display a small collection of historic items. They were soon able to set up this display in a single room at the Morris-Sorenson County Hospital.
In 1974, the Historical Society was informed that the space in the Morris-Sorenson County Hospital would no longer be available. The Historical Society began to negotiate a deal to purchase the Cadwell Building. Since the Historical Society did not have the funds at first to purchase nor relocate to the Cadwell Building, the museum agreed to house the Rollinger Brothers Collection (which had just been bequeathed to Kittitas County) in exchange for rent to pay towards the mortgage. The museum was able to quickly pay off the mortgage, and continued to expand in size. The Kittitas County Historical Museum still has the Rollinger Brothers Collection on loan from the county, and is displayed in the Rollinger Room of the museum.
By purchasing neighboring buildings, the museum was able to expand even more, and offer more display space. In 1981, the Historical Society purchased the McCullough Addition, an extension of the west side of the original 1889 building. In 1998, the museum underwent a major renovation that would accommodate the rising number of visitors, researchers, and volunteers through the addition of display, storage, and working spaces.
In 2008, the museum underwent its most recent renovation. The main entrance was moved from its previous location in the Damman Room to the Rollinger Room. This would provide better access for all visitors to the museum. The front desk was also relocated.
Today, the Kittitas County Historical Museum offers displays including an Antique Doll Collection, Native American Bag and Basket Collection, Antique Automobile display, items from early Kittitas County Businesses, Military History items, and much more!
Staff
Lori Foulke, Director
Sadie Thayer, Collections Manager
Board of Directors
The Kittitas County Historical Museum is governed by a Board of Directors made up of eleven local community members, representing all aspects of life in Kittitas County.