Our story

The Friends of the Aberdeen, Washington Museum are a group of individuals who care for the history of Aberdeen. The Friends’ goal is to keep the area’s history available and interesting to visitors of all ages.

They first formed in 1976. Two years later, they incorporated into the non-profit, 501c3 that they are today. They purchased display cases and materials to help prepare the museum to open in 1983.

Throughout their history, the Friends have managed the donated collection, raised money to pay operating costs, to buy equipment for existing and new displays, and event equipment such as tables, chairs, and computers.

In 1982, the original group was joined by a number of new members: the lead librarian, Rosalie Spellman, and a volunteer curator, Lynn Daneker (Retired from the Carpenter’s Union).

Lynn brought in carpenter volunteers who created the “Walk Through a Town” buildings placed along the Armory walls.

Years later, and with the city’s backing, the group hired a curator; Dann Sears, originally from Aberdeen, who returned from the East to accept the position.

A good friend of the museum, Bob McCausland, decorated several of the walls in the museum with remarkable murals.

In 2016, the Friends decided to put emphasis on the preservation of the photographic collection. Dann Sears accepted the photographic archivist position and the Friends then hired Dave Morris as the new Museum Director/Curator.