Research at the Whatcom Museum
Research is intrinsic to any accredited museum. It comes into play in every aspect of content, from exhibition and program development to the acquisition, maintenance, and documentation of the permanent collection. Beyond the role of research in the everyday lives of museum people however, lies the role that the museum plays for other researchers.
As a repository of information about our material culture, the Whatcom Museum is a rich resource for data miners of all stripes, from armchair historians to seasoned academics. We’ve helped filmmakers, linguists, and architects; journalists, teachers, and students; writers, artists, and genealogists, as well as corporations and non-profits the world over.
The Whatcom Museum is working toward making as much of its collection available online as possible through online galleries and our exhibition pages. We have a long way to go, but you can start your research by exploring our Virtual Exhibitions, by purchasing linguistic publications, or if you’re conducting anthropological research on Indigenous Peoples, by applying for a Jacobs grant. Researchers are also welcome to visit our Photo Archives during public hours.