CITY OF RENTON WASHINGTON

The museum's mission is to document, preserve, interpret, and educate about the history of greater Renton, in ways that engage diverse people of all ages.

In order to achieve the mission, the Board of Trustees is currently working on approving a new strategic plan.

The museum is jointly funded by the City of Renton and the Renton Historical Society (RHS), a private non-profit 501(c)3 organization.

RHS covers all expenses relating to the museum’s mission, including exhibits, programs, and collections care and storage. Donations help make the difference when it comes to new exhibits, more frequent programs, and improved care of  objects and photographs.

To fund future growth, RHS has an endowment designed to grow until the interest can provide the bulk of operating funds.

The museum literally could not keep its doors open without its volunteers!

Volunteers staff the museum on Saturdays, greeting visitors and answering questions. Volunteer docents provide guided tours to school groups and other organizations.

Longer term volunteers are specially trained to work with the collection manager on special projects with objects and photographs. Volunteers also assist during special events, such as Renton River Days, helping visitors and  children with activities.

The museum has a small research library open to the public by appointment Tuesday through Friday.

Among the resources available:

• Renton High School yearbooks
• newspaper clipping files organized by topic and family name
• Renton newspapers from the 1930s through the 1980s
• city directories
• published books about Renton and nearby cities.

Staff can also assist with researching the museum’s photographs and obituary collection. To make an appointment, call 425-255-2330 at least one week in advance.