The Snoqualmie Valley Museum is nearing the finish line on a major $320,000 improvement project and is turning to the community to raise the final $40,000. The upgrades will address long-standing accessibility issues, stabilize climate conditions for artifact preservation, and improve overall visitor experience.
In a letter to supporters, the Museum shared, “This summer, we’re making critical improvements to the Snoqualmie Valley Museum, and we need your help to take the next step.”
With significant funding already provided by the City of North Bend and 4Culture, several key upgrades are already complete, including the installation of three new HVAC systems. These improvements have stabilized indoor temperatures and humidity, an especially critical change after past summers forced the Museum to close during peak heat.
Some programs, like story time, had to be held outdoors, and attendance dropped due to uncomfortable conditions. Additional work is now underway, with more planned once the final $40,000 is secured.
Executive Director Cristy Lake said these improvements stem from a 2008 collections assessment funded by 4Culture. Over the last 16 years, the Museum has tackled recommendations one by one, replacing lighting, fixing roof leaks, removing mold, remodeling the bathroom, and upgrading technology for digitizing historical materials.
The new grant from 4Culture’s Doors Open program allowed the Museum to bundle remaining improvements into one project, greatly accelerating progress.
Lake explained that the main Museum building, originally built as a house in 1950, was never intended to serve the public. “As a non-profit serving the public, improving access to our facilities for all members of the community is essential.”
Existing doors are too narrow for many mobility devices, and uneven patio elevation presents obstacles for wheelchairs. A new ADA-compliant door and raised patio will resolve those barriers and expand usable space for summer programming.
Other planned improvements include insulation, electrical upgrades, and converting an outdated storage area into a processing room for digitizing and cataloging the collection. The City of Duvall is providing a plotter scanner to the Duvall Historical Society, which will be housed in the new workspace, and the Tolt Historical Society may store items at the Museum during its transition.
Lake noted that the new HVAC systems have already made an impact. “Visitors (especially the story time visitors) have been commenting on how much more comfortable it is now inside the museum.” The improved conditions are also expected to help support school programs and could open the door to hosting traveling exhibits that require tighter climate standards.
While the Museum has been operated on a tight budget for decades, Lake said this project represents a turning point. “Today, public facilities are recognized as needing to be accessible, and collections are understood to require specific conditions. Those standards have been improving, and we need to improve along with them.”
With just $40,000 left to raise, the Museum is inviting the public to help close the gap. Donations of any size are welcome. A gift toward a specific project—such as $6,650 for attic insulation or $2,500 for a bench—can make a lasting impact. To contribute, visit snoqualmievalleymuseum.org/summer-2025-campaign.
“Thank you for your support of the Museum and your belief in the importance of our history. Together, we can ensure that this place, and its incredible stories, are accessible and well cared for generations to come.”
