Seattle Museum Month, February 1-29, affords Seattle guests staying in one among our 70+ companion accommodations an unbeatable worth: 50% off admission at 27 museums, together with lots of Seattle’s hottest sights.
You may go to as many museums as you want throughout your keep, and as much as 4 folks staying within the lodge room are eligible to make use of the low cost, so it’s good for journeys with pals or household. You’ll discover all the listing of museums on seattlemuseummonth.com – however how to decide on? Let’s dive in and I’ll attempt to make some strategies in accordance with your pursuits.
Right this moment’s matter is: historical past & heritage! Listed below are a few of my suggestions if you wish to uncover the tales behind the folks and locations of the Northwest.
In these museums you’ll discover fascinating seems at aviation historical past, a deep dive into Seattle’s modern roots, tales of the Alaskan Gold Rush, and extra.
A terrific first cease is the Museum of Historical past & Trade (MOHAI). Housed on the south shore of Lake Union in a restored historic Naval Reserve Armory, this Smithsonian affiliate boasts a group of greater than 4 million objects, paperwork, and photographs that hint the historical past of the Puget Sound area. MOHAI’s award-winning reveals are participating, enlightening, and entertaining. And their deal with innovation explores the worldwide influences that each one started right here: Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Costco, Nintendo, Boeing and extra. My tip: don’t miss the musical telling of the 1889 Nice Seattle Fireplace, full with heart-tugging solo by the responsible glue pot that began all of it, and two present particular exhibitions. Roots of Knowledge: Native Data. Shared Science. explores tales from 4 Indigenous communities in real-world examples of how conventional information and cutting-edge science may be blended collectively to supply options to up to date issues. And Pulling Collectively: A Temporary Historical past of Rowing in Seattle is completely timed to the nationwide launch of the brand new movie The Boys within the Boat, primarily based on the bestselling e-book by Seattle writer Daniel James Brown, and directed by George Clooney. In 1936, the College of Washington males’s rowing group did the unthinkable: regardless of accidents and sickness, they defeated British, German, and Italian crews and introduced residence a gold medal on the Berlin Olympics. MOHAI is proud to show a choice of uncommon artifacts and images associated to the 1936 champion crew which provide a glance into the wealthy historical past of rowing in Seattle.
courtesy of MOHAI
When you’re within the neighborhood, see in the event you can spot any of the historic ships which are usually docked on the Historic Ship Wharf adjoining to MOHAI: the Virginia V, Arthur Foss, Swiftsure, and the Duwamish. You may additionally wish to go to The Middle for Picket Boats subsequent door, and the Wagner Training Middle.
The Burke Museum of Pure Historical past and Tradition is a favourite of all ages. Washington’s oldest museum (relationship from 1899) is now one among our latest, in a dynamic purpose-built constructing (opened in 2019) that brings the collections and the analysis to the forefront, permitting guests to see the conservation and discovery in motion. From up to date native tradition to historical dinosaur fossils, this museum will encourage and delight.
Burke Museum. Photograph: Dennis Clever.
One other don’t-miss: one among Seattle’s hottest museums, The Museum of Flight. Situated in south Seattle, it’s the most important impartial, non-profit air and area museum on this planet! With over 175 plane and spacecraft and tens of hundreds of artifacts, the museum brings the unbelievable historical past of flight to life. A useful go to planner on their web site can assist you focus your time relying in your age and pursuits.
Within the historic coronary heart of Seattle’s Pioneer Sq. neighborhood, a go to to the free Klondike Gold Rush Nationwide Historic Park positioned within the restored 1889 Cadillac Lodge affords an absorbing take a look at a time when anybody with about $600 ($20,000 in at present’s {dollars}) may dream of touring to the Yukon Territory in northwestern Canada, to strike a declare, mine the gold, and attempt to change their fortunes. This department of the Nationwide Park Service is a key hyperlink to understanding the affect on Seattle from the Klondike, and the way modern-day world and regional firms reminiscent of Nordstrom and Filson acquired their begin within the explosive development of the gold rush interval.
Klondike Gold Rush Nationwide Historic Park Wayne Bressler
A stupendous journey on the Seattle-Bremerton ferry will convey you to Bremerton, residence of the USS Turner Pleasure Naval Destroyer Museum Ship. You may stroll on for the hour lengthy ferry journey, saving time and money. The Turner Pleasure is positioned on the Bremerton boardwalk, a simple stroll from the ferry terminal. To totally discover the ship, enable 1-2 hours and put on flat or rubber-soled sneakers, gown in layers (the ship is chilly in February!), and hold your arms free for protected ladder climbing. Or, take the scenic ferry journey to Bainbridge Island as a substitute, stroll a quick distance into city and go to the small however engrossing Bainbridge Island Historic Museum. Enjoyable truth: pickleball was invented on Bainbridge Island in 1965, and you may study concerning the roots of this widespread nationwide sport within the “Our Neighborhood” exhibit.
Be taught extra about Seattle Museum Month and discover your good lodge at seattlemuseummonth.com. See my different posts for strategies for arts & tradition lovers, households, and people in search of one-of-a-kind experiences. With greater than 25 taking part museums, we’ve acquired one thing for each curiosity. See you in February!
Banner picture: The primary large rowing occasion of the 1916 season was an April race towards Stanford. College of Washington and Stanford followers crowded the shores of Lake Washington to cheer for his or her groups. The UW crew gained by seven boat lengths, and afterwards began making ready for a Might race towards the College of California at Berkeley. This photograph reveals the 1916 males’s varsity crew, in uniform, on the College of Washington boathouse. Credit score: MOHAI, PEMCO Webster & Stevens Assortment, 1983.10.10267.
In regards to the Writer
Tracey Wickersham
Tracey Wickersham is the Senior Director of Cultural Tourism at Go to Seattle. A volunteer dj & host of a protracted working music program on KBCS 91.3 FM, she spent 6 years on the board of 4Culture, supporting arts, heritage, public artwork and historic preservation in King County. You may typically discover her on the Tractor Tavern having fun with nice bands, exploring one of many area’s lovely parks together with her spunky blue heeler combine, or in one among Seattle’s many stay theater venues.
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