Renton History Museum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Renton History Museum is a repository for objects and archives significant to the city of Renton in the state of Washington, United States. The museum has objects and archives of Renton's history and has exhibits and public programs for the community and visitors. It is a joint initiative between the city of Renton and the Renton Historical Society, a non-profit organization providing private sector support for the museum.[1]
The institution states that its "mission is to preserve, document, interpret, and educate about the history of greater Renton in ways that are accessible to diverse people of all ages."[2] The museum's vision is phrased "Capture the Past, Educate the Present, Inspire the Future."[3] Presently, it is the only heritage organization in the city of Renton.[4]
The Renton History Museum houses collections consisting of objects, photographs, and archives representing the history of greater Renton. The museum cares for over 90,000 objects and 13,000 photographs that document Renton's cultural, social, and industrial history, spanning all periods of the city's past.[1] The collection is particularly notable for photographs covering the period 1880 through 1940, showing images of local coal mining and railroads as well as the civic and social life of its residents.[4]
Recent exhibits staged in the museum include:
- 100 Years at Renton High
- Sustaining a City
- The Twilight Zone Art Show[5]
- Hero's Feast: Finding Community through Dungeons & Dragons
The museum also organizes and hosts a number of public programs, such as RenTeens Adult programs and family programs incorporate activities such as storytelling and performances and lecture series relevant to Renton's rich history. There are also classroom programs on Coast Salish-Duwamish life, local culture, and local coal mining for students from 4th to 8th grades.[4]
