OLD CITY HALL, home to Whatcom Museum since 1941, is a beloved city landmark. With its Victorian cupolas and central clock tower a stately community presence for more than a century, the history of the building and its inhabitants (including prisoners!) remains central to the Whatcom Museum’s mission. While our fine art exhibitions have moved to the climate-controlled galleries of the Lightcatcher, Old City Hall is open with one historical exhibition, and remains the site for many of our most popular programs. General visitor hours are Thursday - Sunday 12 - 5 PM.  One admission gets you into Old City Hall and The Lightcatcher! Read more...

THE WHATCOM MUSEUM occupies three distinctive and historically significant buildings in downtown Bellingham's cultural district.

THE LIGHTCATCHER is designed by Olson Kundig Architects’ founding partner, Jim Olson. The building is named for its focal point and most innovative feature — a spectacular, translucent wall 37 feet high and 180 feet long, that captures the Northwest’s most precious natural resource: sunlight. The 42,000-square-foot-building integrates natural materials native to the region and is the first museum in Washington designed and registered to LEED Silver-Level specifications. The Lightcatcher hosts a rotating schedule of art exhibitions throughout the year as well as a Family Interactive Gallery (FIG).