Free Admission for Veterans and Active Military
In appreciation for our Veterans and for the women and men serving our country as active duty, we are gratefully offering free admission for those who serve and served all month.*
*free admission for Veteran and active duty military, please show military ID, end November 30.
Museum hours are Wednesday 12-4:30, Thurs-Sat 12-4 or by appointment.
Robert Horton Un-American Activities: The Blacklist Era and Hollywood
“Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”
The answer to this question—or the refusal to answer it—cast hundreds of lives into turmoil at the dawn of the Cold War. The Red Scare that erupted in the 1940s allowed the House Committee on Un-American Activities to grab headlines by parading prominent Hollywood figures before the cameras. Witnesses could either defy the hearings at the risk of their own careers, or “name names”—inform on their colleagues and friends. The resulting blacklist threw many moviemaking professionals out of work.
This presentation, illustrated with film clips, tells the stories from this heartbreaking and scandalous era, and how notables such as Humphrey Bogart, Elia Kazan, and Charlie Chaplin were swept up in the frenzy. We’ll also ask a question: With today’s politics at a boiling point, are we living in such a period again?
Robert Horton (he/him), a member of the National Society of Film Critics, was the longtime film reviewer for the Seattle Weekly, Everett Herald, and KUOW. His books include a critical study of Frankenstein. He has been a Fulbright specialist, a Smithsonian Journeys speaker, and an instructor at Seattle University and the Architectural Association in London. He now hosts the radio program, The Music and the Movies.
Horton lives in Seattle.
Diane Johnston And It Has Pockets! The Battle for Women's Clothing Equality
How many times have you heard someone wearing women’s clothing exclaim, “And it has pockets!” Comparisons have shown that modern garments designed for women have about half the storage space of clothing designed for men. From their invention, pockets in women’s fashion have represented independence—so much so that in the 18th century, laws were enacted to strip women of their personal liberty by making the contents of their pockets the property of their husband. The right to have pockets went hand-in-hand with the right to vote. And people today are still speaking out about the inequality between men’s and women’s clothing based on this simple storage system.
Join costume designer Diane Johnston to dig into the pockets of the past, tracing the history of the humble pocket to determine if the battle for equality may still be decided by a few inches of extremely influential fabric.
Diane Johnston (she/her) is a theatrical costume designer who has spent the past 33 years creating costumes for productions large and small throughout the region. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design and is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Johnston has always been fascinated with fashion history and the historic trends that find their way into our modern closets. She is currently the Theater Teacher at Snohomish High School.
Johnston lives in Stanwood.
Day’s Pay Model Debut and Lecture
Donald Sorenson presents the history behind the Hanford Engineer Works’ movement to fund-raise for “Day’s Pay.” Plus we’ll debut our model of the B17G Bomber known as Day’s Pay, built by Michael Aldrich.
The History of Voting
Please join us for the “History of Voting” presented by members of the League of Women Voters of Benton and Franklin Counties! Come to the East Benton County Historical Society Museum at 205 Keewaydin Drive in Kennewick on November 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. The presentation will include a timeline of when different groups attained voting rights, as well as women’s specific fight for the vote. The process of voter registration and how a ballot moves through the system will also be explained. The presenters will be dressed as they would have been in 1920, the year that women got the vote. Come and enjoy the fun!
Trick-or-Treat at the Museum at Keewaydin
Come by the museum for a treat (while supplies last) and free admission for all!
Trick-or-Treat at the Museum at Keewaydin
Come by the museum for a treat (while supplies last) and free admission for all!
Antique Appraisal Fair
$10 for a 5 minute appraisal of one item!*
Bring your fine art, rare and valuable treasures, historic objects, and interesting items for a five minute verbal evaluation from celebrity appraiser Grant Zahajko, Auctioneer. Museum admission is free on October 19 to celebrate our 42nd Anniversary! Come watch the appraisals and enjoy the museum!
Time slots are limited! Book now!
*Per the appraiser, no firearms, weapons or chemicals will be assessed. Please buy a time slot for each item you wish to have appraised. This is a verbal evaluation for entertainment purposes only. No written appraisals will be provided at this event. All proceeds go to the Museum at Keewaydin.
Annual Meeting
All museum members are invited to our annual meeting. Board member nominations are due by 4pm on October 3, 2024.
Kestrel Smith Fish Wars: Tribal Rights, Resistance, and Resiliency in the Pacific Northwest
In the 1960s and 70s, tribes throughout the Pacific Northwest launched protests and acts of civil disobedience to pressure the government to recognize their fishing rights. Now known as the “Fish Wars,” the lessons from these events remain relevant today.
In this talk, professor Kestrel A. Smith surveys the evidence and events before and after the Fish Wars, which rocked Washington State for decades. Encompassing tribal sovereignty, treaties, statehood, and the fish themselves, the Fish Wars are a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness. Understanding these events is a first, and essential, step in achieving social, cultural, and political justice.
Kestrel A. Smith (she/her) is the Department Chair of the American Indian Indigenous Studies (AIIS) program at Wenatchee Valley College-Omak. Much of her work has focused on how to place Indigenous epistemologies and education within broader historical and cultural contexts to better understand the contemporary Indigenous experience. In the Fall of 2018, Smith moved to Washington State to begin building a new AIIS program at Wenatchee Valley College-Omak, the state’s first full AIIS program at a community college.
Smith lives in Omak.
The statue of Billy Frank Jr. Maquette is coming to Kennewick! It will be delivered on September 18th, and ready for public display Sept. 19th - 21st at the DS Watkins Gallery, 27 N. Auburn Street, Kennewick.
Quilt Show
Over 60 historic quilts on display from the Museum at Keewaydin in conjunction with the Creative Arts Festival in downtown Kennewick. Show is located at the Kennewick First United Methodist Church 2 South Dayton Street, Kennewick.
An Evening with the Stars - Take Two with Gale Metcalf
This was our best attended event last year and Gale is working on an encore! He told some of his best stories from his celebrity interviews as a Tri-City Herald reporter, including Johnny Cash, Jerry Reed and Joan Rivers. Can’t wait to see what he comes up with this year!
Did you miss this event? Listen or read the transcript here.
Alphabet Houses with Bob Lawrence
Bob Lawrence is the grandson of Gustav Albin (G.A.) Pehrson. Pehrson’s many accomplishments were not much talked about while Bob and his siblings were growing up, so researching the depth of Pehrson’s architectural legacy has been a fascinating journey for Bob. G.A. Pehrson was an architect of the State of Washington, including the community serving the Hanford Nuclear plant.
Juneteenth Presentation
You will have the opportunity to meet Alyssa, the reigning 2023 Juneteenth Queen, the candidates for the 2024 Queen, and the Founder and Director of the Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Program, Elouise Sparks. You will hear from each of them about their individual journeys, as well as learn more about Juneteenth. Admissions and donations during this event will be donated to the Juneteenth Scholarship.
They Want Our Rhythm, but Not Our Blues: African American Innovation through Pop Culture
A presentation by LaToya Brackett, part of the Tri-Cities Community Lecture Series
Reflecting on music, sports, language, food and even hair, this talk calls audiences in beyond the rhythm to recognize the blues that made African American popular culture.
LaToya Brackett (she/her) is an associate professor of African American studies at the University of Puget Sound, where she also serves as a member of the leadership team for the Race & Pedagogy Institute. A scholar with two degrees in Black studies, one from Cornell University and the other from Michigan State, she is an interdisciplinarian who centers the Black experience.
Brackett lives in Tacoma.
Open Late for Escape Room Bookings!
Have you been wanting to try one of our escape rooms, but our hours don't work with your schedule? As part of Historic Downtown Kennewick's After Hours Shopping Event, we will be open late on March 15 for escape room bookings!
We have 3 recently refreshed escape rooms from easy to difficult. Learn about local history while solving challenging puzzles to unlock the treasure within. You will have one hour to solve the treasure box you choose. Groups of 2-6 for each box recommended.
Q&A with Model Builder Michael Aldrich
If you interested in building models this Q&A session is for you! Michael Aldrich built the Inland Empire model ship shown.
He will talk about the history of the Inland Empire and his process of researching and building the model. He will also share his progress on his current project, a model of A Day's Pay. The Day's Pay Bomber was christened in 1944, it was funded by a donated day's pay of some 51,000 Hanford employees.
Regular museum admission will apply to attend this event. $5 for adults, $4 for seniors/military, $1 for kids 5-17.
Q&A with Model Builder Michael Aldrich
If you interested in building models this Q&A sessions is for you! Michael Aldrich built the Inland Empire model in our museum.
Let's Get Cozy - Crochet/Knitting Meetup
Bring a project and come crochet/knit with us! Free event.
Live Holiday Music
Piano Teacher Ann Piarson and vocalist Anne Crotty’s students will perform live Holiday music!
An Evening with the Carmens
Thursday, November 30, 5:15pm: Kennewick, WA — Come share an evening of music with pianist duo Carmen Still and Carmen Smith from the Yakima Valley. They combine their collective 50+ years of teaching experience with their love of music and joy in sharing it, with a delightful mix of eclectic music and commentary.
This free program will feature a musical smorgasbord, including holiday music, classical airs, hymn arrangements, video game themes, and a variety of other surprises.
Speaker Kristen Millares Young
We proudly partner with Humanities Washington and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to bring writer and journalist Kristen Millares Young. She will present her writing workshop on how to help write others' stories.
With LULAC's support in reaching the Latin community, we are providing the workshop in Spanish at 7:30pm after a workshop in English at 6pm.
Annual Meeting
All members are welcome to attend the annual meeting where goals for 2024 will be discussed and board members will be nominated.
Celebrating 41 Years
Admission will be free for everyone on October 14 in honor of our 41st anniversary!
Chess at the Museum
Museum at Keewaydin is opening at 11am on Saturdays exclusively for those who wish to play chess! It is encouraged to bring a challenger. Everything else will be provided. We are looking to get volunteers to help mentor younger and less experienced players as well. If this is something you are interested in, please connect with us. There is no cost to come and play.
Chess at the Museum
Museum at Keewaydin is opening at 11am on Saturdays exclusively for those who wish to play chess! It is encouraged to bring a challenger. Everything else will be provided. We are looking to get volunteers to help mentor younger and less experienced players as well. If this is something you are interested in, please connect with us. There is no cost to come and play.
Quilt Show at United Methodist Church
Over 60 historic quilts will be on display. First United Methodist, 2 S. Dayton Street, Kennewick. This is a free event. This event will be part of the SOCO Creative Arts Festival. The festival also includes the SEW Quilters Guild Show and the annual Woodworkers Show.