Museum Celebrates 5 Years of Local History

It was cold and getting dark. I'd had a long day working for the Lakewood Journal as the Lakewood Historical Society formed at a picnic table near 100th street more than a decade ago.

I don't remember the date, but I remember its significance.

The meeting marked a push to preserve and present the area's history. Not too long after, the Lakewood Historical Society opened their museum in October of 2006. I was there for that too.

Since then, the effort has grown. A reception at the museum along Motor Avenue marked the fifth anniversary of the on Thursday.

There was much to celebrate.

Membership five years ago stood at 145. It's grown to 363. The first year of operation saw 419 visitors. This year it surpassed 1,000.

It started with just three exhibits that told the Lakewood's story. Now, the space features rotating displays about the Clover Park School District, Lakewood's incorporation in 1996 draw visitors in.

The museum has also done a good job of marketing its efforts.

The Prairie Gazetter, a quarterly newsletter, is distributed to some 650 people. Monthly programs attract between 40 to 50 people. Behind the scenes work has included fundraising, grant writing, preservation and museum operations efforts as well as classes on collecting oral histories and other activities.

Plans for a larger museum are in the works.

The society has come a long way since Richard Densley, Cy Happy and I debated the merits of calling it an “association” or a “society.” Happy won out with the belief that “society” seemed more high-brow and academic than “association.” 

Continue to support your local history museum. They are open from Wednesday through Saturday from noon-4 p.m.