Carnegie Building closer to revamp

Published 10:51 pm Friday, August 1, 2008

EVERETT — A new home for the Snohomish County Museum of History took a step toward becoming a reality after Snohomish County learned that it likely will receive $882,000 to renovate the Carnegie Building in downtown Everett.

It still could be several years before the museum moves in.

The county has already paid to repair the leaking roof so parts of the museum’s collection can be moved by the end of September, but the building will need a lot more work, said the museum’s executive director, Barbara George.

That is what the grant from the Washington State Historical Society would be used for, county spokesman Christopher Schwarzen said. He said the county expects approval for the money from the Legislature and the governor, which would be available next July.

The museum is leasing the historic 100-year-old building from the county for 50 years, George said. It was originally a library, but has also been used by a funeral home and the jail and has housed some of the county offices.

Its past comes through in some of the rooms: Restrooms are equipped with showers and one of the back doors sports a “no weapons behind this point” sign. Another reminder of the jail connection is what looks like an interrogation room, with a one-way window and a table in the middle.

The purpose of a ground-floor room — used by the funeral home — with lots of counter space and a large sink is open to suggestions, George said.

These and other rooms will have to be renovated to accommodate their new tenants, George said. Aside from that, George and museum president Peter Harvey said they are planning to get rid of the carpeting, repaint and take down some walls.

There is work to be done on heating, lighting and ventilation to make sure the artifacts are kept in an appropriate environment, George said.

Last but not least, the building needs to meet all the current codes and requirements. George said they call for one of the most complex and expensive installments — an elevator.

George said the plan is to make the two-story museum more accessible to visitors with disabilities. “We want to be accessible in a lot of different ways, not just being able to get in but being able to participate.”

Harvey said the museum has moved from building to building several times since the 1950s and finally closed in January 2007. Since then, the 25,000-item collection has been stored in boxes.

Harvey said the museum really came into the public eye after the building where the collection was stored caught fire in April 2007. The fire didn’t touch the boxes, but the water used to extinguish it damaged part of the collection.

With all the work ahead, several years may pass until the items are on display again, Harvey said. Meanwhile, the museum will work on increasing its membership and will hold a number of fundraising events.

Schwarzen said the county has applied for another grant, from the National Park Service, and is expecting a decision by the end of the year. The funds, in the sum of about $475,000, would be used mainly for repairs on the exterior.

Reporter Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452 or kyefimova@heraldnet.com.