The Columbia Motor Co. Building

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 15, 2025

Rainier Valley Historical Society Acquires Historic Building to Establish Permanent Community Museum

Seattle, WA — Rainier Valley Historical Society (RVHS) is excited to announce the purchase of the historic Columbia Motor Co. building at 3806 S Ferdinand Street in Columbia City. This milestone marks the start of a permanent home for RVHS.

After more than 130 years of collecting, preserving, and sharing the diverse history of Southeast Seattle, RVHS (previously Columbia Pioneers) will now create a dedicated museum space to host public programs and expand access to its archives and collections.

“We are thrilled to plant roots in the neighborhood we’ve long served, and we are grateful to everyone who helped us reach this historic moment,” said Karen O’Brien, RVHS Board President.

The building will house exhibits and host educational programs and cultural events that reflect the neighborhood’s history of immigration, migration, labor, activism, and resilience. RVHS is currently in the early stages of site preparation and stabilization, with renovation plans underway to transform the building into a welcoming community space.

RVHS extends heartfelt thanks to the seller and the donor for their commitment to preserving local history, to our board and volunteers for their tireless dedication, and to the community members whose belief in this vision never wavered.

Public meetings will be held later this year to gather community input for the building’s design and future use.

To learn more or support this next chapter, visit rainiervalleyhistoricalsociety.org.

Media Contact:

Rainier Valley Historical Society

office@rainiervalleyhistory.org

206-723-1663