Columbia River Council Chambers color block Man and dog on the rail tracks Sgt. Ordway Statue color block Capital Museum Entrance

Heritage Resource Center

The Heritage Resource Center (HRC) is an office of the Historical Society. The HRC's primary goal is to work with museums and heritage organizations throughout the state as they grow their capabilities. HRC serves as a provider of traveling exhibits, and professional development opportunities, as well as administrator of capital grant funds. The HRC office is in the Washington State Capital Museum in Olympia.

Currently, the HRC offers the following services:

Workshops

HRC's workshops provide training in the skills needed to operate small to medium size museums and heritage organizations. Workshop presenters are experts in their fields with an ability to provide practical, hands-on learning.

Statewide Conferences

The HRC coordinates two annual conferences: the Pacific Northwest History Conference and the Heritage Conference. The regional history conference, now in its 59th year, brings together scholars, students, and the interested public in the spring of each year. The Washington heritage conference brings together representatives from organizations doing the varied heritage work of our state to discuss current issues, explore opportunities, and exchange ideas and innovations.

Traveling Exhibits Service

The Traveling Exhibits Service (TES) offers a variety of traveling exhibits on Washington State topics for a modest rental fee.

Heritage Capital Projects Fund

Since 1997, the HRC has administered the roughly $4 million in Heritage Capital Projects Fund (HCPF) grants given biennially to heritage organizations and projects across the state. Grant funds have been used to build museums, restore historic structures, and interpret and preserve the heritage of the state in other ways. Recipients of HCPF grants need to provide two dollars of match for each dollar of state funding. The deadline for submission is in early May of each even-numbered year.

Center for Columbia River History

The Center for Columbia River History (CCRH) is a regional consortium of Portland State University, Washington State University Vancouver, and the Washington State Historical Society that is dedicated to providing a deeper understanding of Columbia River Basin History through public programs and the creation of educational products.

Washington Heritage Bulletin

The HRC issues a periodic electronic Washington Heritage Bulletin featuring brief announcements of particularly timely information to the heritage community.

Lewis & Clark Trail Guide

If you would like to receive a free copy of the Lewis and Clark Trail Guide Click Here

Heritage Resource Center
211 SW 21st Avenue
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 586-0219
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