Historical Museum

The Skagit Queen Mine: GOLD, SILVER, AND LEAD!
August 18, 2-4pm
In 1908 it was written that, “The land is so unbelievably wealthy… it assays at $40 per ton – will last 50 years – will return $2,000 per day to stockholders.”  What happened?

Talc Mines on the Upper Skagit River: Invention, Profit, and World War II
September 15, 2-4pm
Talc is a hydrated magnesium silicate that is the world’s softest material.  It was mined for years in the North Cascades and extracting the mineral required significant inventiveness, tenacity, and the willingness to work hard.  All for a mineral associated with gemstones and characterized by an unsavory legacy, after all the work it proved to be profitable. Come and learn more about the mines and the people who mined it.

Cokedale: A Failed Dream
October 20, 2-4pm
Sometimes having resources, manpower, finances, and desire are not enough to fulfill a dream. The abandoned mines and town of Cokedale had it all, but it wasn’t enough.

The Skagit City School is located at 17508 Moore Rd.
in Mount Vernon. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and free for members! 

Come with your family, come with your friends and check out our small but mighty museum that is dedicated to preserving and presenting Skagit history for all people for all time. Help us reach our goal of growing our membership to 500!

Here are some details about becoming a member:

Membership entitles you to a full year for free admission and special privileges:

-Discounted pricing on Special Events
-Free admission to our Topics at the School series
-Subscription to and recognition in our Quarterly Newsletter
-10% discount at the Museum Store
-Vote at the Annual Membership Meeting
-Time Travelers membership-offering discounts to over 300 historical museums

Membership tiers with annual dues:

• Educator/ Student $25
• Individual Membership $35
• Family Membership $50
• Explorer Membership $100
  -Free admission for 2 adults plus 4 guest passes
  -10% discount on reprints of historic photographs
• Pioneer $250
  -Free admission for 2 adults plus 6 guest passes
  -10% discount on reprints of historic photographs
  -Special group tour for 10 people
• Founder $500
  -Four membership cards and 8 guest passes
  -$25 gift certificate for SCHM published historical books
• Visionary $1000
  -Six membership cards and 10 guest passes
  -$50 gift certificate for SCHM published historical books

Once again the Skagit County Historical Museum is partnering with the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense, to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including the National Guard and Reserve. The 2024 Blue Star Museums program begins on Armed Forces Day, May 18, and ends on Labor Day Sunday, September 1. We are open 11-4 Thursday through Sunday. We hope to see you at the top of the hill.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs features the life and work of local sign maker, graphic artist, and painter Bob Mortenson of Mortenson Signs of Mount Vernon. Since the early ‘80s, the family business has grown from a one-man operation in the garage where everything was done by hand to a team employing the latest of technology.  Mortenson’s signs are all over the county, from Rockport to Anacortes.  Examples of Bob’s oil paintings, sculpture, and collectibles will also be shown, in addition to other early Skagit sign makers who influenced his work. Exhibit will be open from 3/29-9/29. Join us for the opening reception on Thursday, 3/28, 5-7pm.

Want to be a part of preserving and sharing history? How about teaching children history through games and interactive displays? Or are you more organized and willing to research artifacts from long ago? If so, we have an interesting opportunity for you. Spend some time with our curators, collections specialist at the museum and socialize at special events hosted throughout Skagit County.

We are flexible and offer projects from one day per week to one day per month. Although our museum is open to the public Thursday – Sunday, our friendly volunteers show up a variety of days and times. Complete the form below and expect a follow-up email from us to schedule a quick telephone interview.

• Volunteer Application

Skagit County Historical Museum Education Program
Location: Skagit City School 17508 Moore Rd. Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Skagit City School Experience available Tues - Fri between 9:30am and 3:00pm, by appointment only.

Event generally lasts 4.5 hours including sack lunch break (bring your own lunch).

More information and Reservation Form

The Skagit River Journal

Educational Programs | Brochure