The Rainier Valley Historical Society maintains an ever-growing collection of photographs. These images are housed within our main database, PastPerfect, for public exploration and research. Additionally, RVHS offers photo essays and curated gallery selection, King County Snapshots, a collaborative project with the University of Washington and other Washington museums. Photographs The Rainier Valley Historical Society maintains an ever-growing collection of photographs. These images are housed within our main database, PastPerfect, for public exploration and research. Additionally, RVHS offers photo essays and curated gallery selection, King County Snapshots, a collaborative project with the University of Washington and other Washington museums. Search Our Database Search our collection of 2,200+ photographs, articles, and artifacts. search Photo Essays Discover photo essays crafted by the RVHS team and guest writers. discover King County Snapshots Explore a curated collection of 350+ photos in collaboration with King County. explore Need help with a project? Looking for images for your project or need research assistance? Reach out to RVHS—we're here to help! Schedule an appointment or email us with your questions. We also handle photo prints and usage requests via email. Contact us at office@rainiervalleyhistory.org . contact us

Rainier Valley Historical Society's roots go back to 1891, when the families who bought the first lots in Columbia City gathered to celebrate the founding of their community. The "Columbia Pioneers" continued to meet every April for 100 years. During that time they gathered an extensive collection of photographs documenting the early years of Columbia City and Rainier Valley. In 1993 the group reorganized and became Rainier Valley Historical Society. Rainier Valley Historical Society's roots go back to 1891, when the families who bought the first lots in Columbia City gathered to celebrate the founding of their community. The "Columbia Pioneers" continued to meet every April for 100 years. During that time they gathered an extensive collection of photographs documenting the early years of Columbia City and Rainier Valley. In 1993 the group reorganized and became Rainier Valley Historical Society. RVHS inherited the mantle of the Columbia Pioneers, along with their collection of historic photographs, documents, and artifacts. RVHS has continued to expand their archives, which now includes more than 30,000 photographs, documents, artifacts, and oral histories. Through projects such as Dismantling Racism Series, Images of America: Rainier Valley, Rainier Valley Food Stories, Looking Into Courtland Place, Double Exposures, Hidden Stream of Columbia City, Hillman City Time Capsule, and Honored to Serve, we have involved Rainier Valley neighbors in gathering and sharing more stories about our community's unique history. Learn more about The Rainier Valley See more articles Become a Member Help us preserve and celebrate the history of the Rainier Valley. Be a part of our advocacy for local preservation. Support RVHS

Help us preserve and celebrate the history of the Rainier Valley. Be a part of our advocacy for local preservation. Support RVHS Your gift helps preserve the stories, cultures, and histories that make Rainier Valley unique. Every donation supports our archives, exhibits, programs, and the creation of Rainier Valley Heritage Hall. Thank you for your support!

Meet our Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers who help run Rainier Valley Historical Society. Our Team Rainier Valley Historical Society is guided by our dedicated Board of Directors. Our board members are volunteers who bring expertise in finance, non-profit management, and historic preservation to our organization. They are passionately committed to advancing RVHS's mission and engaging others in the importance of preservation efforts. Karen O'Brien President Mary Charles Vice President Fundraising Committee Chair John DeFranco Treasurer Fundraising Committee Jody Zumwalt Secretary Fundraising Committee Tim Burdick Board Member Facilities Chair Rebecca Corpuz Board Member Membership Chair Laura Day Board Member David Eskenazi Board Member Founding Member Ryan Wadleigh Board Member Archives Committee Chair Katie McClure Executive Director Get Involved Passionate about preserving history and making a difference in your community? Join our dedicated team of volunteers! Fill out our volunteer interest form to get connected. Join the Team

Join RVHS for a variety of tours, lectures, and special events that showcase Rainier Valley's cultural heritage. Upcoming Events Atlantic Street Center's 25th Annual Juneteenth Celebration Thu, Jun 18 Rainier Beach Community Center Stop by our event booth to learn more about Juneteenth and Rainier Beach History. Please note the event is on June 18th. Learn more Mount Baker Summer Festival Sat, Jun 20 3299 Hunter Blvd S Kick off summer with this beloved neighborhood event! Learn more Hillman City - What's Good Block Party Sat, Aug 08 The Flour Box We'll be back at this neighborhood favorite festival! More details coming soon! Learn more Comet Lodge Cemetery Tour Sat, Oct 17 Comet Lodge Cemetary More details coming soon! Learn more 12th Annual Founder's Dinner Sat, Nov 07 St. Edward Catholic Church Save the date! More details coming soon. Learn more Become a Member Get exclusive early access to events, enjoy discounted rates, and support the preservation of Rainier Valley! join rvhs

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

Visit us during office hours on Fridays from 10 am to 3 pm or schedule an appointment. Visit Us Visit us during office public hours or schedule an appointment. Office Hours: Wednesday-Friday 1PM - 5PM Saturdays 10AM - 2PM Address Our Office 3710 S Ferdinand St Seattle, WA 98118 Mailing Address PO BOX 18143 Seattle, WA 98118 Contact (206) 723-1663 office@rainiervalleyhistory.org

Rainier Valley Heritage News is a semi-annual publication established in 1993. This newsletter serves as a rich chronicle of historical narratives and community insights, dedicated to preserving the heritage of Rainier Valley. Newsletters The Rainier Valley Heritage News is a semi-annual publication established in 1993. This newsletter serves as a rich chronicle of historical narratives and community insights, dedicated to preserving the heritage of Rainier Valley. Spring 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2025 Fall 2024 Spring 2024 Fall 2023 Spring 2023 Rainier Valley Roots: The School Garden Movement Fall 2022 The Dunlaps on Lake Washington Spring 2022 Fall 2021 V is for Veterans Spring 2021 Ron Chew's Unforgotten Seattle Fall 2020 Women in isolation at Rainier Beach Crittenton Home Spring 2020 Fall 2019 Spring 2019 From Wilderness to Park Fall 2018 Spring 2018 History of Mt. Baker Fall 2017 40 Years of Cuts, Shaves & Shines! Spring 2017 A Horse, A Cow, Chickens, and Turkeys, Oh My! Fall 2016 Lakewood Pioneer Family Member Honored As Hero Spring 2016 Celebrate RVHS at our annual meeting for members and friends! Fall 2015 Columbia Electric Bakery - From Spark to Flame Spring 2015 The Newspaper Project Fall 2014 Newspaper Project Spring 2014 Remembering the ‘70s Load More

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Articles Filter by tag: Columbia City Activism Street Cars Food Stories Mount Baker Schools Timber & Mills Garlic Gulch Women's Voices Baseball Hillman City Lakewood Books Events Rainier Beach Franklin High School Religion Special Programs Beacon Hill History Maker Awards Seward Park Filter by category: All Posts Days Gone By Oral Histories Dismantling Racism Series Articles Photo Essays Articles Riding the Number 7: Celebrating Rainier Valley's Heritage and Community "Riding the Number 7" stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of community, resilience, and dedication that defines Rainier Valley. The Articles Southeast Seattle ZIP Code 98118: Neighborhood of Nations It's been said that the 98118 ZIP code in Southeast Seattle is the most diverse in the United States. Articles Unveiling of the Hillman City Heritage Bell Join us at the Hillman City Block Party for the official unveiling of the Hillman City Heritage Bell - Hillman City’s new landmark! Articles Meet Cathy Fields - The Artist Behind the Hillman City Heritage Bell Meet Cathy Fields and read her artist statement for Hillman City's newest landmark, the Hillman City Heritage Bell. Articles Ghosts on the Ceiling I was born on March 30, 1947 in Rochester New, York. I came to live in my grandmother’s house, where my dad and uncle grew up. The house... Articles Lake Washington Regatta at Seward Park - 1947 Rowing is the oldest intercollegiate sport in the U.S. that began with a race between Yale and Harvard Universities in 1852. Years later,... Articles Row, Row, Row Your Boat ... Rainier Valley’s Connection to the 1936 Olympic Gold Medal Reading the captivating and best selling book Boys in the Boat, inspired us to... Photo Essays Columbia Branch History - Seattle Public Libraries Step back in time with us as we dive into the history of the Columbia Branch Library. In June 1909, the Seattle Public Library... Articles The Real Boys In The Boat - RVHS 133rd Annual Meeting Presenting: "The Real Boys in the Boat" - A Daughter Remembers Join us and Judy Rantz Willman, daughter of University of Washington crew... Articles What am I going to do with these plums? Garlic Gulch Legacy by Mikala Woodward, Excerpted from Rainier Valley Food Stories Cookbook Many Italian families – like many other... Articles Garlic Gulch Under the Microscope The Rainier Valley’s Italian community has long been a focus of interest and curiosity. In 1915 sociology graduate student Nellie Roe... Articles All’s Fair in Love and War Excerpted from Rainier Valley Food Stories Cookbook The greatest love stories all feature a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, overcome... Articles Ark Lodge Building: Home of Columbia City's Fraternal Past In this 1937 photograph we see the east side of Rainier Avenue’s 4800 block, with the ornate Ark Lodge building occupying center stage.... Articles Bombers Over the Rainier Valley? World War Two Defenses These pictures arrived in our office last week, sent by Mr. Vern Farrow. They may not seem all that spectacular at first glance, but they... Articles The Midwife and the Oysterman We are grateful to a student researcher, L.S., for bringing the Dixon family to our attention. We have gleaned much from archival... Articles Meet our 2023 History Makers This year’s return to the annual RVHS Founder’s Dinner and Auction was one of the best! We gathered on October 14th to honor founder Buzz... Oral Histories Jimi Hendrix at Sick's Stadium " On the afternoon of July 26, 1970, Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) headlines a concert at Seattle's venerable outdoor ballpark, Sicks'... Articles 37th Avenue, 1908: What’s Left? This 1908 photo of Columbia City was taken looking north along 37th Avenue from Dawson Street at the foot of Hitt’s Hill. It is a... Dismantling Racism Series Dismantling Racism: October 27, 2020 Presentation Watch a presentation on voting rights, voter suppression, and disenfranchisement that results from institutional racism and racist... Oral Histories Eugene Coleman: Oral History Abstract: Mr.Coleman discusses buying a house and growing up in Rainier Valley, working in an Alaskan cannery and leisure time activities... 1 2 3 4 5

Sun, Sep 15 | Wix Office MY EVENT This is a great place to get your guests excited by telling them a little more about this event. RSVP Time & Location Sep 15, 2024, 6:00 PM – Sep 16, 2024, 9:00 PM Wix Office, 500 Terry Francois Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 About the event Use this space to tell guests more about this event, e.g., event schedule, speakers, important info & more. To customize this text head to Manage Event > Event Details. This is a paragraph about your event. You can tell guests about the event history, background, types of participants and more. This is a great place to give guests plenty of additional information to get them excited to register. To customize this text head to Manage Event > Event Details. This is a paragraph about your event. You can tell guests about the event history, background, types of participants and more. This is a great place to give guests plenty of additional information to get them excited to register. To customize this text head to Manage Event > Event Details. Show More RSVP Share this event

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