Gilman Town Hall Museum

165 S.E. Andrews Street Issaquah, Washington 98027 Phone: (425) 392-3500

1998 photo by Eric Erickson

Open Hours Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 11am - 3pm, and from June 1 to August 31, Tuesdays from 4 PM to 8 PM Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years weekends. Admission: $2 for adults, $1 for children IHS members visit for free Free admission to all on Tuesday evenings (summer only) $10 family pass gives all-day access to both the Gilman Town Hall and the Issaquah Depot, and includes copies of activity guides and exhibit catalogs.

 

	In This Valley The Story of Our Town
	This all-new permanent exhibit at the Gilman Town Hall tells the story of Issaquah's past through hundreds of photographs and artifacts (many never before on display) and a variety of interactive elements. Come see one of Issaquah's original water pipes, a rare Native American fur trade knife, and graffiti hidden for 75 years inside the walls of the fish hatchery. Set off an imaginary charge with an authentic dynamite blaster, ring a logging camp bell, listen to the music of the Squak Valley Hot Shots -- and much more!

Also at the Gilman Town Hall...

The kitchen contains a wealth of small objects that remind us of the dawn-to-dusk work of the pioneer homemaker. These include an old wash tub and scrub board, kitchen stove, and water pump. A children's touch table gives visitors the opportunity to pick up an old sad iron, handle a butter bowl and paddle, try on hob-nailed boots, or examine an old-fashioned curling iron. Still not sure you can make time to visit the Gilman Town Hall? Then ask yourself this: "Where else can I see a jar of green beans canned in 1922?"

From the museum's back door you can go directly to jail - the old two-cell town jail, which was constructed in 1914 of solid eight inch concrete walls and still has the original iron bars in the windows. The forged iron lock bar weighs at least 80 pounds, and effectively cut the escape count to zero.

The David J. Horrocks Research Center

In addition to our exhibits, the Museum provides a place for historical research in the David J. Horrocks Research Center. Visitors may look through the Historical Society's extensive photo collection, which includes images of early Issaquah families at work and play, downtown scenes of dusty streets and tall wooden storefronts, and the milling, mining, farming and railroad activities of old Gilman. They also have access to our web site, research files, and a number of other references from the Research Center.

Gift Shop

Gift shops are located at each of the IHS museums, and offer a number of books, videos, and mementos. We offer books on the history of Issaquah and the East Side, as well as videos like "Issaquah Memories," "Fire Rock" and a documentary of the restoration of the Depot.  Many small items costing less than five dollars are available; these include postcards, Chugga Chews train cookies, gold and silver train charms, train whistles, and instant railroad kits (just add water!). We're always getting new items in - stop by soon to browse our selection!

About the Museum

The Gilman Town Hall Museum is housed in the small building which served as the original Town Hall from early 1890's, when Issaquah was still called Gilman, until 1930 when the offices were moved to the new City Hall on Sunset. The two-cell concrete jail behind the building was poured in 1914 and used until 1930. The concrete structure replaced a wooden jail which proved to be inadequate for its rambunctious inmates.

During its lifetime the former town hall was altered in appearance and used for a number of different functions, including meeting hall, elections, library, religious services, and Volunteer Firemen's equipment storage, until it was finally remodeled for a private residence.

In May, 1972, the Issaquah Historical Society was formed to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret the history of Issaquah and vicinity. The City of Issaquah purchased the treasured old Gilman Town Hall building in December, 1972, and leased it to the Historical Society for a Community museum. Volunteers renovated the building for exhibits, and restored the missing false front.

It is the goal of the Historical Society to bring life to history in the museum, where present and future generations will celebrate the colorful heritage of their community.

Docent guided group tours may be arranged by appointment for these or other days. Please call 392-3500, or e-mail

See Also

•  History of the Gilman Town Hall - Our description of the building and it's history.