WHATCOM MEMORIES,
a five year effort to copy old photographs and record family histories throughout Whatcom County, Washington.

"Our todays and yesterdays are the blocks with which we build."
— Longfellow

The Whatcom Memories Project began in 1995 and was co-sponsored by the Lynden Pioneer Museum and the Whatcom Museum.

The five–year goal of documenting the photographic and oral history of Whatcom County communities prior to World War II fostered pride in our heritage while we documented local history which is now accessible to the public.

How It Worked

The museums held a one-day open house in a community area where pioneer families and elders discussed family histories while sharing their old photographs.

We requested permission to copy family photographs while the participants waited. Those photographs were returned the same day.

What We Hoped to Find

The museums goal was to copy images of subjects such as: portraits, schools, churches, buildings, homes, clubs, children at play, people at work, street scenes, vehicles, agriculture, businesses, sports, activities, and special events. Volunteers discussed each picture and recorded all who and what information. The project also looked for any historic newspapers, diaries, correspondence and scrapbooks.

Community Benefits

The public has easy access to the history gathered during the project, which has been archived and kept at both museums. Many communities used this opportunity to make their own Whatcom Memories: Historical Photograph Album to keep in their local library. This book contains a print of each photograph copied during their community’s open house.

Keeping the Collection Alive

As the Whatcom Memories Project moved across the county, its momentum built and new possibilities emerged, such as educational programs, slide shows, touring exhibits and special events. Both the Whatcom Museum and the Lynden Pioneer Museum have a reference library where the public can come to study the collection further.

Whatcom Memories Communities

Acme
Badger
Baker
Birch Bay
Blaine
Blue Canyon
Clearbrook
Clipper
Columbia
Crescent
Custer
Delta
Deming
Everson
Ferndale
Geneva
Glacier
Glen Echo
Goshen
Hinotes
Hopewell
Kendall
Lake View
Lake Whatcom
Laurel
Lawrence
Lummi Island
LyndenMaple Falls
Marietta
Mountain View
Nooksack
Northwood
Park
Rome
Saxon
Sumas
Ten Mile
Van Wyck
Van Zandt
Welcome
Wickersham