We conserve our stories to inspire our community, learn from our past, celebrate our present, and guide our future.
The Yakima Valley Museum is one of only three museums in Eastern Washington to be fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. At 65,000 sq. ft., with over 48,000 objects, it is one of the largest cultural history museums in the State.
GUIDED BY PASSION
Liz Hobson
Executive Director
Mike Siebol
Curator of Collections & Archives
Margot Stroop
Exhibits Manager
John Baule
Archivist
Holly McGuire
Visitor Services Manager
Marcos Ramirez
Visitor Services Representative
Victoria Urrutia
Visitor Services Representative
Coy Kloster
Facility Maintenance Coordinator
1917
The first museum opened in a log cabin clubhouse at the State Fairgrounds, but a fire several years later destroyed this “place for historical relics.”
1934
A. E. Larson dies and wills the City of Yakima his house Rosedell and $100,000 to found a community museum. The Larson Family later used the funds to build the Larson Museum & Gallery at the Yakima Valley Junior College.
1951
On February 20, the local chapter of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington opened a museum room in the basement of the Yakima City Hall.
1957
With the help of a grant from the Alexander Miller Trust and the community. A 12,000-square-foot brick Museum is built adjacent to Yakima’s Franklin Park.
1975
A group of Yakima businessmen donate the William L. Gannon collection of horse-drawn vehicles and Native American material.
1982
The museum is given the Horace M. Gilbert House, an orchard house built in 1898 located three blocks from the museum at 2109 West Yakima Avenue.
1989
The museum expanded to 56,000 square feet following a third successful community campaign, which raised $1.6 million.
1995
The Children’s Underground, a hands-on interactive center, opens.
1996
The Museum Soda Fountain opens. The museum also receives its first-ever grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services.
2002
A completely renovated museum building, now 65,000 square feet in size, is completed, and the Board of Trustees establishes The Basalt Society.
YAKIMA VALLEY MUSEUM IS FULLY ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS.
In 2005, the museum received this prestigious honor—one of only three in central Washington. In 2022, the accreditation was renewed. Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, only 1,095 are currently accredited.
