August 20th and 21st saw one of the largest wildfires on record in the Inland Northwest, known as the Great Fire of 1910, the Big Blowup, the Big Burn or the Devil’s Broom Fire.
The Big Burn of 1910
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Spokane Valley Heritage Museum is the repository for the Heritage of the area with multiple exhibits curated to tell our rich local history.
Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer
The Spokane Valley is watered by the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie aquifer. Learn more about the aquifer, its management and more with SVHM.
Clearing the Land: The Disposal and Use of Rock in the Spokane Valley Area
The rocky landscape of the Spokane Valley is a result of floods that occurred 16,000 years ago. When settlers began to move to the area in the 19th century, the rock and bolder deposits impeded agriculture, road paving, home building and the establishment of...
The Harlem Club: Spokane’s Lively Jazz Club
Built in 1929, the Harlem Club was a restaurant and jazz club. Famous jazz performers such as Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Peal Bailey, and Nat King Cole played at the Harlem Club.
The Mammoths of Latah
Mammoth remains were discovered in the Spring of 1876, after heavy rains worsened the swampy conditions of the bog-like environment of Latah.
Vegalene
An early Spokane Valley company enters the race for fuel. Vegalene! With rapid growth of the auto industry, an alt fuel company was started.
Hydroplane Races
Hydroplane races attracted many visitors to the Spokane Valley over the years.
Remembering Bert Porter
With hearts that are heavy, but also full of gratitude, we say farewell to one of the Spokane Valley Museum’s family and a long time advocate and supporter of the Museum, Bert Porter.
3-16-20 Update Regarding COVID-19
In accordance with the mandates and guidelines issued by Governor Inslee regarding the closure of public venues to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19, the Spokane Valley Museum will be closed until further notice. This will be a significant impact on the...
Share Your COVID-19 Story
The Spokane Valley Museum is launching a project to engage the community in assisting with our effort to collect and preserve the impact of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) on our community. This is an unprecedented historic situation we all find ourselves in. We are...
Current Exhibits
Ice Age Floods and the History of Grand Coulee Dam
What sculpted the modern landscape of Spokane Valley? Come learn more at the new exhibit, Ice Age Floods and the History of Grand Coulee Dam.
Chaos, Change & Culture
Visit the tumultuous decade of the 1960s. Tragedies and triumphs marked a decade of social and political change. Learn about events and people that changed the Nation. Civil Rights, Apollo 11, Vietnam, the Summer of Love, and more.
Interactive and Immersive Exhibits
Explore the extraordinary artifacts and photos showcasing nearly every aspect of the Spokane Valley’s and the surrounding area’s early history.
The Apple Was King
Apple orchards were the chief economic driver in Spokane Valley’s early years. Without water, however, none of it was possible.
Under One Sky
The exhibit features the early history (1850s-1890s) of the Spokane Valley’s native tribes, settlers, missions, the Mullan Military Road, and more.