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Kittitas County
Historical Society, InC.

Our History

📜 Preserving the Past Since 1961

The idea of creating a local history museum in Kittitas County began in the mid-1930s with the Kittitas County Pioneer Association.

This group, made up of descendants of the area’s earliest non-Indigenous settlers, was concerned about the loss of both Indigenous and pioneer stories as older generations passed.

They set out to preserve our county’s rich heritage before it disappeared.

🏛️ A Statewide Push for Local Museums

From the 1930s to 1950s, the Washington State Historical Society supported the creation of local historical societies and museums.

In Ellensburg, The Daily Record published editorials urging the community to save meaningful items and memories from being lost or destroyed.

📆 Founding the Historical Society

In early 1961, a group of Ellensburg residents began meeting to plan a local museum. On September 20, 1961, the Kittitas County Historical Society, Inc. was officially formed.

The group issued 200 charter membership cards and elected an 11-member Board of Directors.

The County offered a small basement room in the Morris Sorensen Memorial Hospital for the first museum space. Open houses began on May 6, 1962.

📦 A Growing Collection, A New Challenge

As the museum collected more local artifacts, it quickly outgrew its original space.

By 1973, the County announced that the space would no longer be available after 1974. The Society began searching for a permanent home.

🏛️ The Cadwell Building Solution

The Society negotiated to buy the Cadwell Building, but lacked the funds.

Around that time, the Rollinger Brothers donated a large rock and mineral collection to Kittitas County—with the condition it be permanently displayed under one roof.

The Society agreed to house the collection and, in exchange, received rent support to help pay the building’s mortgage, along with a grant. The debt was paid off within a few years.

🚪 Opening a New Era

The **Kittitas County Historical Museum** officially opened in the Cadwell Building on June 1, 1975.

Over time, the Society purchased neighboring buildings and expanded the museum to nearly 9,000 square feet.

Each space has its own unique history, but together they house exhibits, archives, and public programs.

📚 Still Going Strong—60+ Years Later

More than 60 years after its founding, the Society still follows its original mission:

“To collect, preserve, and share the history, heritage, and culture of Kittitas County.”

The Society holds its Annual Member Meeting every December, where members elect a Board of Directors for one-year terms. The Board meets monthly to guide the Museum’s work.

🙋‍♀️ Get Involved

Anyone—individuals, families, or businesses—can become a member and be part of preserving local history.

đź“© Want to learn more about the Society, the Board of Directors, or our Annual Meeting? Contact us here.

🖊️ Not yet a member?
Join the Historical Society today and help keep Kittitas County history alive!

Our History

Preserving the Past Since 1961

The idea of creating a local history museum in Kittitas County began in the mid-1930s with the Kittitas County Pioneer Association—a group made up of descendants of the region’s earliest non-Indigenous settlers during Washington’s territorial days. Concerned that important pieces of local heritage were being lost as both Indigenous and pioneer individuals passed away, the group was motivated to preserve the region’s stories, artifacts, and culture.

A Statewide Movement Toward Preservation

Between the 1930s and 1950s, the Washington State Historical Society began helping counties across the state form local historical societies and museums to protect disappearing community histories. In Ellensburg, the Daily Record printed articles throughout the late 1950s advocating for preservation—calling on the community to save meaningful objects and memories before they were destroyed or forgotten.

The Founding of the Historical Society

In early 1961, a group of Ellensburg citizens began meeting with a shared vision: to collect, preserve, and share the stories of Kittitas County. Their efforts led to the formal establishment of the Kittitas County Historical Society, Inc. on September 20, 1961. That year, the organization issued 200 charter membership cards and elected 11 board members to serve on the inaugural Board of Directors.

Around the same time, the Kittitas County Commissioners offered the Society a small basement room in the Morris Sorensen Memorial Hospital at 507 North Nanum Street. Though modest in size, this space allowed the Society to begin public open houses by May 6, 1962—officially launching the Kittitas County Historical Museum.

Growing a Museum—And Outgrowing the Space

Like many new museums, the Historical Society accepted a wide variety of items related to the county’s past. As the collection quickly grew, the museum soon found itself bursting at the seams. By 1973, the County announced it would no longer provide space in the hospital building after 1974. The Society now faced a challenge—finding a new home for the growing collection.

A Creative Solution: The Cadwell Building

The Board set its sights on purchasing the Cadwell Building in downtown Ellensburg. The owners were willing to sell, but the Society didn’t yet have the funds. Fortunately, a solution came in the form of a unique partnership. Around this time, the Rollinger Brothers donated their large rock and mineral collection to Kittitas County, with the condition that it be displayed together and under one roof.

The Society agreed to house the collection in the museum in exchange for rent payments that would go toward the Cadwell Building’s mortgage. With additional funding from a grant, the Historical Society was able to pay off the mortgage in just a few years.

A New Era for the Museum

On June 1, 1975, the Historical Society officially opened the Kittitas County Historical Museum in its new home. Over time, the organization purchased neighboring buildings, expanding the facility into a connected space of nearly 9,000 square feet. While each building has its own architectural history and original purpose, together they now provide room for exhibitions, educational programs, and collections care.

Still Going Strong—Over 60 Years Later

Today, the Kittitas County Historical Society remains dedicated to the mission it began with in 1961: To collect, preserve, and share the history, heritage, and culture of Kittitas County.

The Society holds an Annual Member Meeting every December, during which a Board of Directors is elected to serve one-year terms. The Board meets monthly and continues to guide the Museum’s work into the future.

Get Involved

Anyone—individuals, families, or businesses—can become a member of the Historical Society and be part of preserving Kittitas County history.

đź“© Interested in learning more about the Society, the Board of Directors, or our Annual Meeting? Contact us today!
đź–‹ Not a member yet? Join us today and help keep local history alive!

1962-001

September 1961: Erma Laura Russell Snowden and Clareta Olmstead Smith represent the early Historical Society at the Kittitas County Fair. Their outreach helped build community support.

Circa late 1970s: Ruth Damman, the Historical Society’s longest-serving Board Member, leads a tour at the Kittitas County Historical Museum. Volunteers like Ruth have always been at the heart of the Museum.

Board of Directors

The Kittitas County Historical Society, Inc. (dba Kittitas County Historical Museum) is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors responsible for overseeing the Museum’s operations, collections, and staff.

Board Members are elected each December at our Annual Meeting from among the Society’s general membership. The Board includes the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 5–7 additional members.

To serve, Board Members must hold a current KCHS membership and be able to attend monthly meetings held every 3rd Wednesday at 6:00 PM at the Museum in the historic Cadwell Building in Downtown Ellensburg. A remote attendance option is available.

All members of the Historical Society are welcome to attend monthly meetings, either in person or virtually.

đź“© Interested in learning more or attending a meeting? Contact us today!

Board Member Application

If you’re interested in serving on our Board of Directors, please review the cover letter, complete the application, and return it to the Museum.

If no seats are available at the time you apply, we’ll keep your information on file and review it as board terms expire or if a vacancy arises.

Thank you for your interest in helping us collect, preserve, and share the rich history and heritage of Kittitas County!

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