Last updated: 3/21/2012
Wenatchee, Washington
Street Address
127 S. Mission Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Mailing Address
Wenatchee, WA 98801
phone: 509-888-6240
e-mail: info@wvmcc.org
web: www.wvmcc.org

Staff

Brenda Abney
phone: 509-888-6240
Description

General museum with a broad range of programs, exhibits and collections related to the history, arts and sciences of North Central Washington.

Mission

The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center gathers and educates people to celebrate and preserve the history, arts, sciences and the rich diversity of this region and its people. In addition to being a repository of historical artifacts, photographs and records, we are pleased to offer a variety of educational programs for adults and families throughout the year.

History

The Museum was established in 1939 as the North Central Washington Museum. It had its roots in the former Columbia River Archaeological Society, which was founded in 1920. Group members had private collections of Native American artifacts recovered along the Columbia River, and wanted a community museum in which to display them. The Museum's first home was in the Wenatchee Carnegie Building at Memorial Park, where it stayed until it outgrew the quarters in the mid 1970s. In 1978 the Museum opened its doors to the public in its new home - two former federal government buildings in downtown Wenatchee. The buildings, built in 1917 and 1937, are now a local landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center operates under a partnership between the City of Wenatchee and the nonprofit Wenatchee Valley Museum Association. The buildings house two floors of engaging exhibits which connect local community members and visitors to the rich heritage and diversity of the Wenatchee Valley. Administrative offices and the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society are also located in the Museum’s two buildings. Collections are stored in a basement under both buildings.

Programs

The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center shares resources to enrich students’ understanding of the world around them. We offer many educational programs throughout the year designed for kids and families. Notable is our Super Summer Adventures program of weekly enrichment classes for students entering 1st through 7th grades. Summer classes include art, cooking, "slimy science," photography, acting, music and more. You may access the schedule and registration form online (print it out, fill it in and mail with your check) or by calling the Museum at (509) 888-6240.

Family Programs
Museum-to-You Boxes
Educational Videos and DVDs
Natural History Museum-to-You Boxes
Cultural History Museum-to-You Boxes
Facilities
Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
Library

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members

Appointment required: False

Services
Event Rental

A special place for your special event... ... offering a distinctive setting for your special holiday events, company or private parties, weddings, receptions, seminars, reunions, or VIP dinners.

Group Tours

We are proud of our historic buildings, our exhibits and collections, and the special programs we offer throughout the year. We look forward to seeing you here at the Museum and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. If you are interested in a group tour, please reserve in advance by calling (509) 888-6240.

Museum Store

The Museum Store features an array of community-oriented gifts, books, toys, and videos revolving around the central themes of our Valley. In-store items include merchandise featuring trains, planes, local history, nature, Native Americans, and the fruit industry. You can now find featured items including books, collectible apple box labels, event tickets and Museum membership online. These all make great gifts!

Gift Shop
Event Rental
Group Tours
Exhibitions
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Museum Events
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

Saturday, March 15 - Tuesday, March 18, 2025

The Inn at Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Hosted by: Virginia Association of Museums

2025 Conference Theme: Looking Back to the Future For the past several years, many museums have been deeply involved in planning programs and events to observe the 250th birthday of the United States of America. While this is certainly an occasion to celebrate, this anniversary also forces us as a society to reckon with ongoing inequities and challenges within the US that go back to its inception. As museums ask their audiences to look to the past to understand the present and shape a better future, perhaps now is a good moment in time for Virginia’s museum community to take pause and look back at its own history. We are excited to see you in Blacksburg in March 2025 as we take a moment in our hectic schedules to take pause and visit our diverse pasts. Let’s uncover and share our histories to build a more resilient Virginia museum community.

Ohio Museum Asociation 2025 Annual Conference - Athens

March 29 - 31, 2025

Athens, Ohio

Ohio Museum Asociation 2025 Annual Conference - Athens

Saturday, March 29 - Monday, March 31, 2025

TBA

Athens, Ohio

Hosted by: Ohio Museums Association

"Innovation: Museums and Reaching our Potential

The heart of innovation is transformation – shaking up our established way of doing things by introducing new methods, new ideas, and new approaches to both obstacles and opportunities

Museums across Ohio are not just adapting, but innovating to reach their full potential and better serve their communities. No matter their role, museum professionals are introducing forward-thinking perspectives and initiating creative solutions to launch the field into a future where museums can remain trusted and relevant community cornerstones

How can your museum stay true to mission and serve your community in new and meaningful ways? How can we as museum professionals meet the challenges of the future with reinvigorated enthusiasm

Join us in Athens, March 29-31 as we explore these topics and more at the 2025 Ohio Museums Association’s Annual Conference: Innovation: Museums and Reaching our Potential.

For more information, please email oma@ohiohistory.org.

North Carolina Museums Council 2025 Annual Conference

March 30 - 31, 2025

Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina Museums Council 2025 Annual Conference

Sunday, March 30 - Monday, March 31, 2025

TBA

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hosted by: North Carolina Museums Council

Museums Unwalled: Expanding Horizon

This theme highlights the importance of museums as dynamic entities that engage with communities, foster education, drive cultural change and often go beyond the building itself. By focusing on areas such as community engagement, digital and virtual presence, interdisciplinary collaborations, sustainability, accessibility, and cultural diversity, we aim to provide a comprehensive and enriching experience for all attendees

The primary objective is to provide a platform for museum professionals and others working in the industry to share ideas, best practices, resources and innovative approaches that demonstrate how museums can reach audiences in and beyond our physical spaces. We aim to inspire attendees to think broadly about the potential of their institutions and to foster a spirit of innovation and community engagement.

By facilitating discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, the conference will empower current and future museum professionals and to expand their impact, embrace new challenges, and create meaningful connections with their audiences and communities.

Arkansas Museums Association 2025 Conference

March 31 - April 3, 2025

Washington, Arkansas

Arkansas Museums Association 2025 Conference

Monday, March 31 - Thursday, April 3, 2025

Historic Washington State Park

Washington, Arkansas

Hosted by: Arkansas Museums Association

"From the Ground Up: Cultivating Essential Skills in Museums

This year, the AMA conference theme is "From the Ground Up: Cultivating Essential Skills in Museums" As museum professionals we learn and use a wide variety of tools and skills every day

The Arkansas Museums Association is planning its 2025 Annual Conference, which will be hosted by Historic Washington State Park on March 31-April 3, 2025.

The goal of the conference is to support and foster the museum community through a mix of speakers as well as workshops, practical and informative presentations, in-depth discussions, and examples of projects and initiatives that are relevant to museums in Arkansas. Arkansas Museum Association members take ownership in the conference experience as presenters, speakers, panelists, facilitators, and workshop leaders.

For more information, please email arkansasmuseums@gmail.com.

view all conferences
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