Issaquah History Museums

At Issaquah History Museums, history is not just preserved—it’s lived, shared, and celebrated. Thanks to the support of our donors, 2025 has been a year of remarkable growth and connection:

• Engagement soared: Through November 2025, almost 4,500 visitors visited the Depot Museum, a 19% increase over the first 11 months of last year.
• Education expanded: We delivered 13 Let’s Talk Local History presentations across libraries, senior centers, and community halls, reaching hundreds of residents.
• Community collaboration thrived: From hosting school culture nights to supporting Gibson Ek students’ capstone projects, we’ve empowered the next generation to tell Issaquah’s story.
• Collections grew: Nearly 115 new objects were added to our collection, ensuring Issaquah’s heritage is safeguarded for years to come.
• Public history flourished online: Our 75 history‑themed posts this year sparked more than 6,700 engagements, connecting Issaquah’s past with today’s digital audiences.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Your continued generosity will help us launch two major exhibits next year:

• Trailblazers: How a Community Saved Its Mountains
  A powerful story of the grassroots conservation that saved the Issaquah Alps, created in collaboration with UW Museology graduate students and enriched by newly recorded oral histories.
• Fresh Perspectives: Issaquah’s Early Years
   A vibrant exhibit blending art and history, featuring works by local students and artists that reimagine Issaquah’s early days through diverse lenses.

Why Your Gift Matters

Your donation doesn’t just preserve artifacts—it fuels education, inspires creativity, and strengthens community identity. Together, we are writing the next chapter of Issaquah’s story.

Please join us in making 2026 a landmark year for history, art, and community.

With gratitude,
Paul Winterstein, Executive Director