Uncle Charlie WalkerChantal Wilkins wearing Miss Issaquah sash and tiara, 1991
Collecting History, Connecting Community
Want to help us continue to preserve and tell Issaquah’s stories—including yours? CLICK HERE to donate to our t 2021 Annual Fund today!

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Rodeo 1928
Issaquah History Museum Collections
Through our digital collections site, you can access contents of our photo files, letter collections, important documents, and oral histories.

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Issaquah Depot Museum to Reopen for Summer 2021!
Join us for a timed entry visit at the Issaquah Depot Museum this summer! Click here for details.

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Issaquah Depot Museum

Issaquah Depot Museum

78 First Avenue NE
Open Saturdays by Appointment
Scheduled to reopen Fri, Sat, Sun, 11-3 on May 29, 2021

The city’s train depot was built in 1889, and now holds a museum with exhibits that explore the industrial revolution, travel, communication, and the early economic development of Issaquah.

Learn more | Directions | Rental

Gilman Town Hall Museum

165 SE Andrews Street
TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Scheduled to reopen by appointment when King County reaches Phase III.

Built in, 1886, the Gilman Town Hall features a permanent exhibit called “In This Valley: The Story of Our Town,” which uses photographs, artifacts, and interactive elements to explore different aspects of Issaquah’s past.

Learn more | Directions

Tapestry of Tales: A Night of Giving

Online: October 20th, 2021

The staff and board of the Issaquah History Museums are excited to host this virtual fundraising event in honor of Issaquah’s storytellers and our (the community’s) growing oral history collection. Admission is free! Look forward to a short but sweet program, including:

  • Remarks from Issaquah’s Mayor, Mary Lou Pauly.
  • A video presentation comprised of some of our favorite quotes from recent oral history interviews, including a professional boxer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who is considered to be Issaquah’s adopted son; a man who said goodbye to his forever-bride; and a counselor/coach who responded to direct racism with radical love and forgiveness.
  • “Raise the Paddle” segment.
  • Learning more about the lives of Issaquahns past and present!
Get Tickets
Rodeo 1928 Schaller Bennett at the Ellensburg rodeo in 1928.
Rodeo 1928 1930s Mill Street Looking East Labor Day Parade Royalty Gibson Park Ben Legg

DIGITAL COLLECTIONS ON-LINE

In 2011, we launched a project to digitize our collections and make them available to researchers on-line. Several years into the project, we are still realizing the value of the information we have gathered. We’re thrilled to be able to share the contents of our photo files, letter collections, important documents, and oral histories! Collectively, these materials tell the story of Issaquah, and, individually, they provide invaluable insights on people and events that helped shape the region and have profound relevance today.

Dig Deep

  • BOOKS & AUDIO ON ISSAQUAH

    Learn about Issaquah‘s historic past from our wide selection of books on Issaquah History, Logging & Lumber, Railroad, and Local and Regional History.

  • TRAIL MAPS

    Explore Issaquah’s history outdoors with help from our selection of the area’s trail maps.

  • KID’S TOYS, SOUVENIRS, AND BOOKS

    Kids love history and we‘ve got them covered with a fun selection of gifts including, books, wooden train sets and Coast Salish plush animals and more.