The newly formed Seattle Heritage Coalition is now promoting a City of Seattle program that would provide operating support for heritage organizations and museums. Historic Seattle's Executive Director now sits on the Coalition's Steering Committee provides a brief overview of the Coalition, its members, and objectives.

Who is the Seattle Heritage Coalition?

In the fall of 2003, the Association of King County Historical Organizations, AKCHO, formed a committee to explore the support for a funding program in Seattle. In February 2004, an organizing meeting was held at which Joan Mraz of the Southwest Historic Society and Mikala Woodward of the Rainier Valley Historical Society were selected as the Coalition's co-chairs. Coalition members have been meeting with representatives of the Mayors Office, Department of Neighborhoods and the Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.

Did you know there are over 80 heritage organizations in Seattle?

A few might easily come to mind. The Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard, the Wing Luke Museum in the International District or the "Birthplace of Seattle" Log House Museum operated by the Southwest Historical Society all have well known programs and their own buildings.

Or our venerable MOHAI, the Museum of History & Industry, operated by the Seattle King County Historical Society preserving the history of Seattle since 1950.

Are all heritage organizations museums?

Most heritage organizations are not museums. The over 80 heritage organizations are of all sizes and experiences, representing community and grassroots groups in addition to long-established museums and archives. They undertake heritage activities like the collection, documentation, preservation, exhibition, evaluation, interpretation, education and restoration of Seattle's historic resources and cultural traditions. Seattle's heritage organizations play a unique and irreplaceable role in the cultural fabric of the City of Seattle.

These include:

Ballard Historical Society

Black Heritage Society of Washington

Densho, Japanese American Legacy Project

Georgetown Powerplant Museum

Northwest Seaport

NW Lesbian and Gay History Museum Project

Queen Anne Historical Society

Rainier Valley Historical Society

Seattle Genealogical Society

The Center for Wooden Boats

United Indians of all Tribes Foundation

Washington State Jewish Historical Society

And of course, Historic Seattle.

Does the City of Seattle support heritage activities now?

Yes, the City maintains the current MOHAI building, built by the museum and donated to the City of Seattle. It is located on Seattle Park property. The Center for Wooden Boats and Northwest Seaport use a public waterway on Lake Union. A number of heritage organizations have qualified for the Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund grants for special projects, but many organizations are not oriented to a single neighborhood, which is a program requirement. The Department of Neighborhoods also houses the Historic Preservation program but it does not administer funds for heritage organizations. These actions are significant contributions by the City but have developed over the years and involve many different City Departments.

How do other cities support heritage organizations?

The City of Bellevue provides $10,000 for operating expenses of the Eastside Heritage Center in addition to providing all maintenance and repair to two historic buildings. The City of Auburn, working through their Parks Department, supports the White River Valley Museum with annual support of over $200,000 for operating expenses at the Museum and Mary Olsen Farm. The City of Renton supports the Renton Historical Museum, and the Renton Historical Society with annual support of over $170,000 for operating expenses in addition to maintenance and repair of the City owned buildings it occupies.

Does King County support heritage organizations?

Yes, in 2003 $110,123 was awarded in the Heritage Sustained Support program of the Cultural Development Authority of King County (now 4Culture) supporting 31 heritage organizations; 12 are located in Seattle. The sustained support program is funded from Hotel Motel tax revenues.

What is the Heritage Coalition requesting?

Heritage organizations are seeking a home at the City of Seattle. The new Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs seems a logical place. Currently that office administers a Civic Partnership program which is for arts and cultural organizations but currently limited to arts organizations and organizations doing arts projects.

The Heritage Coalition is now seeking a meeting with Mayor Nickels to review their research on funding models in King County and other Cities, and their discussions with the Department of Neighborhoods and Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs.

Seattle's heritage community represents a great opportunity for community development and community investment in irreplaceable resources. These organizations develop facilities for supporting heritage activities, develop and maintain archives, and develop and exhibit heritage materials. Their research archives are available to the entire Seattle community, and they provide diverse educational experiences for people of all ages.

The heritage community is an important part of our tourist economy and helps us all to know and honor our past so that we can work together to the benefit of our collective future.

If you are interested in additional information on the Seattle Heritage Coalition please contact either of the co-chairs:

Joan Mraz: mraz@jps.net

Mikala Woodward: Rvhsoffice@aol.com

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