The Kenmore Heritage Society…

How much do you really know about Kenmore? You may have learned its history through books, or stories shared at family gatherings, but we bet they left out some of the more interesting and colorful history of Kenmore’s past. From the Meanderers, who 200 years ago lived along the waterway we now call the Sammamish Slough, to the famous author who was a patient at Kenmore’s Lakewood Villa Sanitarium, and the 1920’s nudist colony within swimming distance of the Kenmore beach at the north end of Lake Washington, these are the stories about Kenmore’s history we would like to share with you.

Join Kenmore Heritage Society and Kenmore Camera on December 9th for photos with Santa! Doors open at 3:00 PM for games and crafts. Santa arrives for photos at 3:30, and will be available until 5:30 when he needs to head back to the North Pole. Families can continue to play games and make crafts until 6:00 PM.

Spaces are limited and each family will need a (free) ticket and assigned time slot for pictures. You can sign up for the event at the City of Kenmore Luminary Walk on December 1st or through our “Contact Us” form. If you have additional questions, please email us at k.h.s.archives@gmail.com.

KHS Highlight Reel 2023

This Holiday Season join Kenmore Heritage Society at Kenmore Camera for crafts, games, and a free photo with Santa. Santa is on a tight schedule so close to Christmas, so he can only visit with us at Kenmore Camera for a couple of hours. Doors open at 3:00 for games and crafts as Santa gets set up for pictures which will be taken between 3:30 and 5:30!

Spaces are limited and each family will need a (free) ticket with an assigned photo time slot for the photo event. Once your picture is taken, you can continue making crafts and playing games until 6:00 PM. If you have questions, you can email k.h.s.archives@gmail.com. Youn can sign up for photos on our website or at the City of Kenmore’s Liminary walk on December 1st!

Veterans Memorial Installed at Kenmore City Hall

KHS is honored to have worked with a great group of Kenmore Veterans on this project.
Kenmore City Council selected our memorial proposal earlier this year and the City of Kenmore agreed to match funds up to $4K. KHS shared about the project and a group of Veterans stepped up to research options, visit existing memorials, design the bench, and raise funds. They shared the design and inscriptions more broadly with other Veterans, many of whom also sent contributions.
Next time you are at City Hall, check it out. While sitting on the bench you can view the flags and think of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Digital Collections

Explore Kenmore’s history through story, photos, and first-hand accounts of the people, places, and businesses of our community. Browse and enjoy an immersive look at what made this city what it is today.

Digital Collections

Timeline

From the earliest inhabitants of this land, to the pioneers who shaped the buildings and institutions that make up Kenmore. Take a scroll through the many important events, people, and developments of Kenmore history.

View Timeline

Native Plants

The Kenmore Heritage Society, Burke Museum Staff and City of Kenmore partnered to create a Native Plant educational area at Tl’ awh-ah-dees park.

Plants

Native Art

Coming Soon

Meet the Artist

We're Making History Now!

Since its founding in 1998, the Kenmore Heritage Society has produced a wide assortment of public programs exploring the history and culture of the city and surrounding region. Check out what we have planned for this year.

November 26, 2023 in News & Events

Remembering Dick Ramsey 1933 – 2023

"Dick" Ramsey, former owner of Ostroms Drug & Gift in Kenmore, passed away June 4, 2023. Richard Eugene "Dick" Ramsey of Kenmore, WA, died peacefully at 90 years of age on June 4, 2023 after sharing an afternoon with his children. Dick was born January 31, 1933 in Omak, WA,…
Read More
October 30, 2023 in News & Events

National STEM Day – November 8, 2023

  National STEM Day is November 8, which celebrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, education throughout the United States. More recently, the Arts have been recognized as another vital component, so the acronym STEAM is also frequently used. The purpose of National STEM Day is to encourage youth interest and…
Read More

“I volunteered at the Heritage Society’s PopUp Museum at the Hanger. It was fun to see the items folks brought from home, and the stories they had to share.” – Sue K