Washington State History Museum will re-open on April 2, 2021. Hours will be Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Every Third Thursday the museum will be open 10:00 AM-8:00 PM with free admission 3:00-8:00 PM. Close
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Current Exhibitions

Just the Ticket 4

Just the Ticket

Apr 2 - Aug 22 2021
Hop aboard for a journey through the history of railroad travel in Washington State! This exhibition of rail travel posters, schedules, tickets, and train-related objects provides a glimpse of how and why passengers traveled. Visit the History Museum for this new exhibition, and while you're here, see the state's largest model train layout on public view, too!
Great Hall of Washington History 7

Great Hall of Washington History

Permanent Exhibition
Our largest exhibit is a walk through time, showcasing some of the state’s earliest history and a variety of artifacts from Native American civilizations and cultures.
Remembrance 1

Remembrance

Permanent Exhibition
We are preparing a new exhibition about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII as a result of Executive Order 9066.
Washington: My Home

Washington: My Home

Permanent Exhibition
This permanent exhibit explores migration and immigration through the experiences of diverse individuals who, over time, have come to live in Washington.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Crossing Boundaries 2

Crossing Boundaries

May 29 - Dec 12 2021
This exhibit highlights historical narratives of transgender people in the West and considers how westward migration provided opportunities for self-expression and fulfillment. Traversing unfamiliar territory, these individuals crossed both physical boundaries and the perceptual boundaries of their earlier lives. Join us in learning more about the history of gender, identity, and changing cultural perceptions in the West and the connections between transgender history and the LGBTQ+ community today.
15th Annual IN THE SPIRIT Contemporary Native Arts Virtual Exhibition 2

IN THE SPIRIT Contemporary Native Arts 2021

Jul 15 - Aug 29 2021
IN THE SPIRIT is an annual celebration of diverse Native arts and culture. It includes a juried art exhibition at the Washington State History Museum with a wide range of selected works on view during July and August.
As Grandmother Taught: Women, Tradition, and Plateau Art

As Grandmother Taught: Women, Tradition, and Plateau Art

Jul 23 - Nov 28 2021
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Handstitched Worlds 1

Handstitched Worlds

Sep 17 - Jan 24 2022
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Model Train Festival 2019-2020 12

The 25th Annual Model Train Festival

Dec 17 - Jan 3 2021
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