HISTORY COLLECTION
The History Collection reflects the richness and diversity of Pacific Northwest history from post-settlement to the present day. The collection ranges from everyday domestic items to the tools and equipment vital to the agricultural, timber and fishing industries so prominent in the development of the Northwest. Permanent history exhibitions and related hands-on displays are utilized by the museum’s education department as part of the Washington State Essential Learning Standards for elementary school students. Items from the history collection are also included in many temporary exhibitions at the Museum and are cared for and preserved as tangible evidence of the past.

ETHNOLOGY COLLECTION
The Ethnology Collection emphasis is on the material culture of the region’s indigenous peoples with the collections consisting of items utilized every day as well as during ceremonial events. The region is defined as the Pacific Northwest, generally recognized as the area west of the Rocky Mountains from northern California to Alaska. The Museum utilizes these collections to enhance our regional community’s awareness of the rich Native American History that is a vital part of the Pacific Northwest. We have a very active educational program utilizing permanent exhibitions and related hands-on displays that is tied into the Washington State Essential Learning Standards. As with the History, Art and Photo Archives Collections, items from the Ethnology Collection are also used to enhance temporary exhibitions as well as provide tangible examples of the early and on-going cultural history of this region.

PHOTO ARCHIVES
The Whatcom Museum has been collecting archival materials since 1940. The Museum Photo Archives primarily focuses on photographic material, with an emphasis on regional photographers and subject matter. Thousands of researchers from all over the world contact the Photo Archives each year in order to purchase copies of images from the photograph collections. The clarity and quality of images provide visual aids for illustrations in books, calendars, videos and a wide variety of other uses.