Yakima Valley Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1952 |
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| Location | 2105 Tieton Drive Yakima, Washington |
| Type | Local history |
The Yakima Valley Museum is a cool place to explore history in Yakima, Washington. It's a big building, about 65,000 square feet! Inside, you can learn all about the Yakima Valley.
The museum covers many interesting topics. You can discover the area's natural history. There are also exhibits about American Indian culture. You'll see what pioneer life was like long ago. The museum also shows how early cities grew. Plus, it tells the story of how the fruit industry started and grew in the Valley.
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Discover the Yakima Valley Museum
The Yakima Valley Museum is a fantastic spot. It's filled with exciting exhibits. You can learn about the past in a fun way. It's a great place for families and students.
Amazing Things to See
The museum has many different collections. They show what life was like in the past. You can see unique items and learn new things.
Step Back in Time: Old Vehicles
One amazing part of the museum is its collection of old vehicles. These are not cars! They are horse-drawn vehicles. Imagine traveling in a stagecoach! You can even see an old hearse. These vehicles show how people moved around long ago.
Explore Nature and History
You can also find a special exhibit about William O. Douglas. He was a Supreme Court Justice. He also cared a lot about the environment. He used to live in Yakima. The museum has a copy of his old office.
There's also a cool display of petrified trees. These trees turned into stone over millions of years. They are from a time called the Miocene era. It's like looking at ancient wood that became rock!
Bright Lights and Fun: Neon Garden
Don't miss the Neon Garden exhibit. It's full of old neon lights. These are the bright, colorful signs you might see on old buildings. They look really cool when they light up! The museum also has special exhibits that change often. So there's always something new to see.
Fun for Kids: The Children's Underground
The museum has a special area just for kids! It's called the Children's Underground. This is an interactive learning center. It's about 2,500 square feet. Here, kids aged 5 to 15 can do fun activities. They can also join educational programs. It's a great way to learn hands-on.
Sweet Treats and Old-School Fun
Step into the Museum Soda Fountain. It's a working copy of a soda fountain from the late 1930s. It looks like an old-fashioned Art Deco diner. Many parts of it came from real old Yakima soda fountains. You can imagine getting a sweet treat there!
The museum also has a big space called the great hall. It's under the Neon Garden. This hall hosts many programs and concerts. You can enjoy shows and music throughout the year.
Visit a Historic Home
The museum also takes care of another historic place. It's called the H. M. Gilbert Homeplace. This house is nearby, at 2109 W. Yakima Ave. It was built in 1898. This old Victorian farmhouse is now filled with furniture from that time. It's like stepping back into the 1800s!
Looking Back: Yakima Memory Project
In 2001, the Yakima Valley Library and the Yakima Valley Museum started a project. It's called Yakima Memory. They wanted to make old photos available online. They digitized about 9,000 pictures. Now, people can see these old photos on the internet. It helps everyone remember Yakima's past.
