Issaquah is celebrating Local History Month throughout May 2014 as a way to connect the community to the stories that are unique to our City.
Sharing these stories helps connect community members to Issaquah’s past — and also to each other — as public recognition of local history helps to foster local pride, maintain community character and build a deeper sense of appreciation for the place itself.
Every year the Issaquah History Museums bring you new ways to experience Issaquah's past during Local History Month. This year's activities include:
Historic Pub Crawl: In partnership with the Downtown Issaquah Association, the Issaquah History Museums are offering a reprise of the popular Historic Pub Crawl. The crawl starts at 7 p.m. May 8, and will provide the opportunity to visit some of the oldest drinking establishments in Issaquah, and hear tales from the darker side of Issaquah's past. Advance registration is required. Purchase tickets at downtownissaquah.com.
Reinforcement Crew: Museum registrars from all over the nation will converge on the Issaquah Train Depot on May 17. The volunteers will be attending the American Alliance of Museums conference in Seattle – and volunteering their time to help the Issaquah History Museums. Each year, organizations near the AAM conference can apply to receive volunteer assistance with a large collections project, and this year, the Issaquah History Museums was one of three organizations selected. Volunteers will photograph hundreds of three-dimensional artifacts, which will later be made accessible through online Digital Collections.
Volunteer Awards Night: Starting at 6:30 p.m. May 29 and open to the public, Volunteer Awards Night is an opportunity to thank the volunteers who contribute more than 2,500 hours a year to keeping our museums open and the Issaquah Valley Trolley on the tracks.
Residue of History – Olde Town Mine History Hike: From 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. May 31, volunteer Doug Bristol will lead hikers through the story of Issaquah's coalmining past, pointing out the clues to and remnants of this chapter in Issaquah's industrial history. Advance registration required. Register at issaquahhistory.org.
STQRY launch: STQRY (pronounced “story”) is a mobile phone app that helps you find and learn about nearby points of interest. In partnership with the City of Issaquah, the Issaquah History Museums use STQRY to highlight places, people and buildings significant to Issaquah. Use STQRY to learn more about the museums' buildings, rolling stock, and outdoor exhibits.