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.

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.

May 27, 2023 in News & Events

World Bicycle Day – June 3rd

The Amazing Bicycle According to the Global Bicycle Index Study of 2022, Utrecht, Netherlands ranks first among the most bike-friendly cities in the world. A simple and sustainable means of transportation, biking is celebrated for its health benefits and role in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. With these advantages…
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May 3, 2023 in News & Events

Kenmore’s Tl’ awh-ah-dees Park : A Brief History & What’s Exciting and New – by Kenmore City Manager, Rob Karlinsey

Once upon a time, Tl' awh-ah-dees Park was underwater.. Tl' awh-ah-dees Park, formerly known as Squire's Landing Park, is approximately 45 acres of undeveloped open space along Swamp Creek and the Sammamish River in Kenmore.In the 1980s, before Kenmore was incorporated as a City, King County acquired the 45 acres…
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“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