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📚 Information & Research Requests
The Kittitas County Historical Museum provides research services to help individuals, families, organizations, students, and businesses explore the history of Kittitas County. Whether you are researching a historic home, family history, local business, photograph, object, or another aspect of our community’s past, we are happy to assist whenever possible.
A research request is any inquiry that requires Museum staff or volunteers to search collections, archives, photographs, publications, records, or other historical resources to locate, interpret, or compile information that is not readily available through routine visitor services or on the Museum’s website.
Museum staff are happy to answer routine historical inquiries whenever possible. Some questions can be answered quickly, while others require additional research using the Museum’s collections, archives, publications, photographs, and other historical resources. When additional staff or volunteer research is required, requests are handled through the Museum’s Research Request process.
📝 Submitting a Request
Please use the Research Request Form below to submit your inquiry. Requests are reviewed in the order received.
While the Museum is happy to answer routine historical inquiries whenever possible, some inquiries require additional staff or volunteer research, review of multiple sources, interpretation of records, or expanded investigation. These inquiries are considered research requests and are handled through the Museum’s Research Request process.
Research requests are processed in the order received, regardless of whether they are submitted through the Research Request Form, by email, telephone, social media, or in person. Additional research requested after a previous project has been completed may be processed as a new Research Request.
The more information you provide, the better we can evaluate and respond to your request. Helpful information may include:
Family research: Names, dates of birth or death, and known locations.
Property research: Street address, parcel number, nearby crossroads, or other location details.
Object or photograph research: Known history, dates, names, or associated families, businesses, or organizations.
All requests: Sources already consulted or any additional background information.
Once your request has been received, we will review its scope and contact you if additional information is needed. If your request requires research beyond the Museum’s complimentary research service, we will contact you before any fee-based research begins.
The Museum strives to provide helpful and equitable research services to all patrons. Because research requests vary widely in scope and complexity, requests requiring staff or volunteer research are reviewed individually and handled through a consistent Research Request process.
🔍 On-Site Research
Some research projects may benefit from an on-site appointment. Following review of your request, Museum staff may recommend access to selected materials under staff supervision.
To protect the Museum’s collections and ensure materials can be located efficiently, archives and collections storage areas are not open for independent public research. Materials are retrieved and prepared by Museum staff in advance, and not all materials may be available due to preservation needs, processing status, or access restrictions.
As a small museum, KCHM continues to organize, catalog, preserve, and digitize its collections to improve future access while ensuring their long-term care.
🌐 Online Research Resources
Before submitting a request, we encourage you to review the online research resources available through our website. Many common questions can be answered through these tools.
- Community Research Resources – Local contacts, repositories, and historical tools that may support your research
- Historic Preservation Resources – Information related to preservation, designation, and historic places in Kittitas County
- Additional Research Resources – A broader list of archives, libraries, and databases that may assist with your project
These resources are a good place to begin, especially for family history, property history, and general background research.
💲 Research Fees
Research fees help support the staff and volunteer time required to locate, review, interpret, and prepare historical information while ensuring continued access to the Museum’s collections and research services.
Brief requests:
Up to 30–60 minutes of staff or volunteer research time may be provided at no charge.
Extended research:
Requests requiring more than one hour of staff time are subject to a research fee. Fees begin at $25 and vary depending on the scope and complexity of the request.
You’ll always be contacted before any fee-based research begins. Payment is required before research services are completed. KCHM members receive discounted research fees.
Research requests vary in scope and complexity. While many inquiries can be answered through the Museum’s complimentary research service, more extensive projects or requests for image reproduction may be subject to fees. The information below outlines the Museum’s research services and associated fees.
Images for classroom or nonprofit instructional use may be provided at no cost or a reduced rate, depending on the request.
- Images are typically provided under 300 DPI
- Use is limited to one-time educational or instructional purposes
- Credit line required:
Courtesy of the Kittitas County Historical Museum
- $25 per image
Credit line required:
Courtesy of the Kittitas County Historical Museum
Please note: Use of materials in exhibits may be subject to the Museum’s outgoing loan guidelines and additional requirements beyond reproduction fees. This will be addressed as part of the request review process.
For books, websites, marketing, or other public distribution.
- Digital image under 300 DPI — $75 per image
- Digital image over 600 DPI — $150 per image
Use is limited to a single publication or project unless otherwise approved.
Credit line required:
Courtesy of the Kittitas County Historical Museum
- Black & white copy (8.5” × 11”) — $0.10 per page
- Color copy (8.5” × 11”) — $0.50 per page
- Digital scan (color or grayscale) — $0.25 per page
The Museum provides access to its collections for research, reference, and educational use when possible.
- Some materials may be restricted due to condition, donor agreements, copyright, or privacy
- The Museum may decline access or reproduction requests
- Providing access to an image or item does not grant permission to publish, distribute, share publicly, sell, or use it for business, media, or promotion
- Permission for publication or commercial use must be requested separately
- Researchers are responsible for following all applicable copyright, privacy, and intellectual property laws
🤝 Volunteer Opportunity
Interested in helping preserve and share Kittitas County history? Volunteers play an important role in organizing collections, cataloging artifacts, digitizing photographs and documents, and improving access to the Museum’s historical resources. If you’d like to support this important work, we would love to hear from you.
📌 Final Note
Submission of a request does not guarantee availability of materials or completion of research.
Fees and policies are subject to change. The Museum reserves the right to review and adjust requests as needed to protect collections and ensure responsible access.