“To gather and preserve all manner of objects…” reads the articles of incorporation of the Eastern Washington State Historical Society. Collecting and preserving cultural material that portrays the diverse experience of life in the Inland Northwest, past and present, remains at the heart of the museum’s mission. As the historical society for Eastern Washington, the museum is a repository for a vast array of artifacts, art, photographs, and texts numbering over a million objects and growing.
The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture is an Agency of the State of Washington and a 501(c)3 Organization. Accredited by the American Alliance Museums and a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate.
MAC collections are comprised of four major categories which include Art, Regional History, American Indian, and Archives. Collection managers and curators acquire objects guided by the museum’s established mission of stewardship and focus. Pieces from the collection are periodically exhibited or may supplement traveling exhibitions to provide a local perspective on the subject matter.
For object inquiries (research and donations) contact us at Collections@northwestmuseum.org
For archival material inquiries (research and donations) contact us at Archives@northwestmuseum.org
For information regarding our tribal collections, repatriations, and policies contact Tisa.Matheson@northwestmuseum.org
The Margery and Louis Livingston Reading Room is open and available by appointment only, 10 am–4 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Appointments must be scheduled in advance with archives staff. Researchers are expected to follow research room guidelines. To schedule an appointment, e-mail your request with as much detail as possible.
You may also access objects and archival materials through this Web Portal. The primary purpose of a collection portal is to expose museum collections to the broader public. By digitizing artifacts, artworks, documents, and other objects, museums can present their collections in an accessible and engaging online format. High-quality images, detailed descriptions, and contextual information allow users to appreciate the depth and significance of the items, even if they cannot visit the museum in person.
Please fill out this form with as much detail as possible and submit it to Collections@northwestmuseum.org and Archives@northwestmuseum.org with the Subject Heading: Rights and Reproduction Request.
This web portal was created in 2024 with generous funding from the Institute of Museums and Library Services and funds from the State of Washington Innovation and Modernization Fund