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Permanent Exhibits
On July 4, 1889 at 10:30pm, the young city of Ellensburgh caught fire and by the time the flames were extinguished four hours later, ten downtown blocks and the homes of two hundred individuals lay in ruins.
While it is known where the fire started, what happened, and how the community rebuilt the City within four months, the cause has never been determined.
This exhibit takes a look at the various causes—from accidental to incendiary—and the possible motives behind each, and features newspaper clippings, historic photographs, and even a clock that survived the fire.
Permanent Exhibit
Over 50 samples of Ellensburg Blue Agate are featured in the ongoing Rock and Mineral display, which is the largest collection held by a museum.
July 26, 2026, 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Join us for a spirited afternoon exploring local legends and Prohibition-era stories with stops at the Puget Sound Energy’s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility & Renewable Energy Center, the Kittitas County Historical Museum, and Elk Heights Distillery. Three stops. One wild story.
September 4, 2026, 5 PM - 7 PM
Join us to experience and explore the history, heritage, and culture of Kittitas County.