One thing I have found amazing about visiting
Seattle, Washington is the fact that almost everywhere you look in this city,
there is something of historical significance very nearby. I find it amazing
that a city that has become a beacon of promise for the future has such strong
ties to its past. Of course, this is the way it should be, but seldom is.
Seattle, Washington not only celebrates its
past that is very rich indeed, it invites those who visit to share in that
celebration as well. With many museums dedicated to lifting up the great people
who helped build this city. A city that remembers its past is a city well worth
getting to know better.
In and around Seattle there are several
museums that study the past of this part of the country and the profound effect
that that past has on the present society in this area. The first one I will
tell you about is not a museum but rather a national park. This would be the
Klondike Gold Rush National Park. Some of the more interesting things to do and
see here are the walking tours that are conducted each morning during summer
months (these tours last about an hour and take you through the historic
district while explaining the role the neighborhood played in the development
of Seattle as we have come to know it and the Klondike Gold Rush). Another
interesting thing to do is attend a gold panning demonstration or watch one of
the many audiovisual programs that tells stories of this historic period.
Next, there is the Log House Museum of
Seattle. This museum is actually a renovated log home that has a rich history
in and of itself. The museum was created as a base for sharing information
about the history of the community both oral and written in addition to
educating students, researchers, and educators about the history of this
region. The museum provides special exhibits, events, and lectures that
accomplish these goals. Admission is by donation and is recommended at $2 per
adult and $1 per child.
Next, for every little boy or every little
boy that is all grown up, this next museum is near and dear to most of their
hearts whether they are willing to admit it or not. This would be the Issaquah
Depot Museum. Not only do you get to walk along the tracks of history, but also
you get to take a look at a vintage caboose and other train cars that are on
display here. There is a beautiful mural in the Depot Freight Room that depicts
the history of Issaquah. It was painted by Bill Haddon at the request of the
King County Arts Commission and vividly depicts the colorful history of this
area. Admission to this museum is recommended at $2 per adult and $1 per child
or you can purchase a family pass for this and the Gillman Town Hall Museum for
a total of $10.
The Gillman Town Hall Museum brings history
to life by showing the minor details that are often overlooked and yet so
vitally important reminders of that history. There is even an old two-cell jail
behind the Town Hall Museum. The original steel bars are on the window and the
total escape count from this jail was zero. Not only is this museum filled with
artifacts, but it personalized with photographs of the people that played such
a vital role in its past as well. This
museum and the Depot museum are worth the drive from Seattle, especially at
such low prices for both.
If nothing else, you have to hand it to the
people of this part of the country. They hold onto their pasts and learn from
them rather than burying them and trying to pretend they didn't happen. I find
it comforting to see that the past of this area has had such a profound effect
on what it has become today and hope to see even better things in the future as
a result. If nothing else, the stories are wonderful to hear and even better to
experience.
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