The King County Council is considering a new ordinance that would implement a key recommendation of the Historic Preservation and Heritage Funding Advisory Task Force, and the AKCHO Board of Directors is asking all AKCHO members to urge their Council Member to approve the measure. If passed, several hundred thousand dollars in new money would be made available annually to heritage and preservation groups working in the field. Read the rest of this article »

The local heritage community is abuzz after learning that Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn’s office is calling for changes to its signed agreement with the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), which would impact the cultural institution’s planned move. Read the rest of this article »

At an August 30 gathering convened by Great City, a Seattle-based urban issues advocacy group, more than 50 leaders from local arts and heritage organizations came together to discuss plans for resolving the future of the lodging tax question in the next legislative session. Read the rest of this article »

Volunteers are needed to staff the AKCHO table September 25, Saturday, 10-5, and September 26, Sunday, 10-4, to talk with attendees at the Historic Seattle 13th Annual Bungalow Fair at the Seattle Town Hall. Read the rest of this article »

Alice Winship, second from right, participates in maritime music events

… how many words is a song worth? A song doesn’t have the reasoned facts of a historical essay, or the technical detail revealed by a historic photograph. A song paints a quick, vivid image with a few details, but the rhythm and melody make a powerful emotional connection with the listener. It’s the emotional sweep of the music that fires our imagination and makes us almost feel we had been there ourselves. Read the rest of this article »

Center for Wooden Boats executive director Betsy Davis announced this summer that the Lake Union institution will scale back its operations in the face of lower donation levels. According to Three Sheets Northwest, cuts will include three staff positions, weekday hours and two regattas. Field trips, tugboat storytimes, and free public boat rides on Sundays will remain.

Weighing in on the debate over proposals for revitalizing the Seattle Center’s Fun Forest site, Roger Fernandes, a member of the Lower Elwha Klallam Nation, advocated for a Northwest Native Cultural Center in a recent column in The Seattle Times. Read the rest of this article »

Though the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Century 21 Exposition, better known as the Seattle World’s Fair, is still a year and a half out, there already seems to be plenty of talk concerning the affair. Read the rest of this article »

The Black Diamond Historical Society & Museum will be open on Monday, September 6, from 10 AM – 4 PM, to help celebrate a tradition of over 100 years in Black Diamond. Read the rest of this article »

Summer isn’t officially over yet — there’s still time to get out for a hike or walking tour.  Check out Douglas B. MacDonald’s recent Crosscut piece on hiking the Iron Goat Trail for inspiration. Closer in, there are several walking tours designed to illuminate the history of Columbia City, Dockton, Old Redmond, Schmitz Park, SR 520, and women’s suffrage. Details on these delightful escapes and much more (Lake Union Park grand opening! Bungalow Fair!) on the AKCHO calendar at www.akcho.org/calendar/index.php.