Edmonds Historical Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Edmonds Historical Museum
Andrew Carnegie Library |
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The building's present incarnation as
the Edmonds Historical Museum |
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | 118 5th Avenue N., Edmonds, Washington |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Ward, H.B. |
| Architectural style | Edwardian, Beaux Arts |
| MPS | Carnegie Libraries of Washington TR (AD) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001887 |
| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1973 |
The Edmonds Historical Museum is a fun, free museum in Edmonds, Washington, USA. It is run by amazing volunteers. The museum first opened its doors in 1973. It is located inside the historic Carnegie Library building. This special building is right in the heart of downtown Edmonds. The museum has a huge collection of about 32,000 items!
Contents
A Look Back: The Museum's Story
How the Library Began
The building that now holds the museum has a long history. It started as the Carnegie Library. It opened on February 17, 1911. A famous rich businessman named Andrew Carnegie gave $5,000 for it. He was a philanthropist, meaning he gave money to help people. The Women's Library Club and the city librarian received this money.
A Seattle architect and builder named H.B. Ward designed the building. When it first opened, it was more than just a library. It also held the city hall, where city leaders met. There was even a jail inside! In 1962, the city hall and library moved to a new building. The old Carnegie Library building then went to the Edmonds Parks and Recreation Department.
Becoming a Museum
In 1973, the Edmonds City Council made an important decision. They agreed to let a new group use the old library building. This group was the Edmonds-South Snohomish County Historical Society. Their goal was to create the Edmonds Historical Museum.
On April 24, 1973, the Carnegie Library building received a special honor. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site. It was the only building in Edmonds to get this special title. The Edmonds Historical Museum officially opened on August 3, 1973.
What You Can See Inside
Amazing Collections
The Edmonds Historical Museum has a lot of space for its exhibits. It has about 4,000 square feet for displays, offices, and storage. It is one of the biggest museums in Snohomish County. The museum's collection holds 32,000 different items.
These items help tell the story of Edmonds and south Snohomish County. You can find old clothes, photographs, and books. There are also maps and other important papers. The museum even has two old fire trucks in its collection! In 2015, the museum moved some of its stored items to a bigger storage place.
Exploring the Displays
The museum has two main floors for visitors. The upper floor has a fun area for kids to do activities. There is also a research library where you can learn more. This floor also has two galleries. These galleries show different exhibits that change over time.
The ground floor is where you can see permanent displays. These displays show what Edmonds was like in the past. They include recreated historical places and objects. For example, there is a diorama of Edmonds from 1910. It shows the town and waterfront back then. You can also see the Cook Victorian Parlor, which looks like an old living room. There's a room that looks like an early hotel. You can also see a model of a shingle mill, which was a type of factory. And don't forget to check out the preserved jail cell!
Right in front of the museum, you will see a cool sculpture. It's called "Marsh Life" and was made by Coast Salish artist Ty Juvinel. The sculpture shows fishermen and animals. It is made in the special Coast Salish art style. This style uses shapes like crescents, triangles (called trigons), and ovals. Above the sculpture, there is a skylight shelter. It has an etching of a frog, which is a spiritual figure for the Coast Salish people.
Getting Involved: Community Fun
The Edmonds Historical Museum is run by the Edmonds–South Snohomish County Historical Society. This group organizes many programs at the museum. They also host fun events for the community.
The Historical Society works with other groups too. They partner with the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission. Together, they help document and learn about local historical houses. They also work with other non-profit groups. This helps them create different programs and exhibits for everyone to enjoy.
