Edmonds Historical Museum’s renovations looked back to 1910

EDMONDS — The Edmonds Historical Museum reopened Saturday morning after three months of renovations.

The result is not just a newly refurbished museum space, but in some ways a trip back to 1910, when the city’s Carnegie Library first opened in the building.

The museum staff found the original 1910 building layout and specifications and tried to reproduce that as much as possible, museum director Tarin Erickson said.

That includes the hardwood floor of the main story stained with a varnish that matches the original. Curved wall segments with burlap wainscoting follow the original specifications, and the original Tiffany glass “Public Library” sign hangs in the main room.

“We’re thrilled with the results,” Erickson said.

The renovations came at a cost of $45,000 to $50,000, most of which was raised last fall. The museum may seek grant money to cover the balance, she said.

The museum sought to restore as much of the original form of the building as possible.

Built in 1910 as one of 1,679 Carnegie Libraries nationwide, the building was almost immediately co-opted by the city government, which put city offices, the council chamber, the police department and jail on the lower level of the building.

Over the years, city offices spread to the main level, with added walls dividing up the spacious interior into smaller offices. In 1973, the newly-formed Edmonds South-Snohomish County Historical Society moved into the building, the same year the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The renovation restores the original floor plan to the main part of the museum, with the offices replaced by open exhibit space.

Downstairs, a lockable jail cell remains as testament to the building’s other early uses.

Some artifacts were moved off-site to make room for other items.

A schoolhouse exhibit of desks and materials was added last year. It sits in a new alcove where museum staff removed a false wall and discovered some of the original woodwork.

Another new addition is a large Victorian-style doll house that complements the other furnishings from that era.

Other standbys include an elaborate model train set — it isn’t a historically accurate representation of the town, but it’s popular with kids. There’s also a diorama of the town as it was in 1910, built in the 1970s by Edmonds High School students.

The new museum also restores some of the building’s original functionality as a library. Historical society books and photo albums that use to be tucked away into offices are now out and available for public use, Erickson said.

The reopening of the museum coincides with Saturday’s opening of the Garden Market next door, which the museum sponsors.

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165 or cwinters@heraldnet.com.

Edmonds museum

The Edmonds historical museum, located at 118 Fifth Ave. N, is open year-round from 1-4 p.m., Wednesdays through Sunday. The Spring Garden Market operates every Saturday in May and June from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Public Safety Building (250 Fifth Ave. N.), and the expanded Summer Market will run Saturdays June through October along Fifth Avenue N. and Bell Street.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Frank DeMiero founded and directed the Seattle Jazz Singers, a semi-professional vocal group. They are pictured here performing at the DeMiero Jazz Festival. (Photos courtesy the DeMiero family)
‘He dreamed out loud’: Remembering music educator Frank DeMiero

DeMiero founded the music department at Edmonds College and was a trailblazer for jazz choirs nationwide.

Provided photo 
Tug Buse sits in a period-correct small ship’s boat much like what could have been used by the Guatamozin in 1803 for an excursion up the Stillaguamish River.
Local historian tries to track down historic pistol

Tug Buse’s main theory traces back to a Puget Sound expedition that predated Lewis and Clark.

Archbishop Murphy High School on Friday, Feb. 28 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Former teacher charged with possession of child pornography

Using an online investigation tool, detectives uncovered five clips depicting sexual exploitation of minors.

A person waits in line at a pharmacy next to a sign advertising free flu shots with most insurance on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Have you had the flu yet, Snohomish County? You’re not alone.

The rate of flu-related hospitalizations is the highest it’s been in six years, county data shows, and there are no signs it will slow down soon.

City of Everett Principal Engineer Zach Brown talks about where some of the piping will connect to the Port Gardner Storage Facility, an 8-million-gallon waste water storage facility, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Port Gardner Storage Facility will allow Everett to meet state outflow requirements

The facility will temporarily store combined sewer and wastewater during storm events, protecting the bay from untreated releases.

Founder of Snohomish County Indivisible Naomi Dietrich speaks to those gather for the senator office rally on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Membership numbers are booming for Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter

Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter, a progressive action group, has seen… Continue reading

Lynnwood
Police: Man fired gun into Alderwood Mall to steal $20K in sneakers

The man allegedly shot through mall entrances and stole high-end merchandise before reselling it

A car drives along Lockwood Road in front of Lockwood Elementary School pas the new flashing crosswalk on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett responds to higher traffic deaths with ‘Vision Zero’ goal

Officials are pushing for lower speed limits, safer crossings and community input to curb fatalities on city roads.

Mrs. Hildenbrand runs through a spelling exercise with her first grade class on the classroom’s Boxlight interactive display board funded by a pervious tech levy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County schools react to education department firings

The Department of Education announced Tuesday it will lay off more than 1,300 employees.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood City Council eyes path forward at contentious meeting

The council discussed how to move forward in filling its vacancy after Jessica Roberts withdrew Thursday.

Everett Transit Director Mike Schmieder talks about how the buses are able to lower themselves onto the induction chargers on Monday, March 10, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Transit set to sell nine electric buses

The buses, built by a now-bankrupt company, had reliability issues for years. The agency’s 10 other electric buses don’t have those problems.

Camano Island Fire & Rescue chooses new chief

Jason Allen, who has worked at the district since 1999, will replace outgoing Fire Chief Levon Yengoyan.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.