Lewis County Historical Museum

06/23/2026

To the fans of this page and the communities/people who support the museum, I just want to say thank you for everything you have done over the years to assist us with our mission and make this an extraordinary place to have fun, learn, and celebrate local culture.

In addition to offering my thanks I also wanted to express that myself and the board of directors are working hard to ensure a stable future for this museum, and to continue serving the communities that support us by making improvements to the museum facility, exhibits, programs, partnerships, and events. We are thankful for your patience during this time of transition.

We know that you, our supporters, have thoughts, ideas, and feedback on the direction you'd like to see the museum take. As Interim Director I intend to listen to every comment, question, or bit if feedback that you have for us, and work with the community to ensure that the future of this great establishment is one that you all want to see, and that best serves the community itself. I will never stop listening to your thoughts and suggestions, and will do everything in my power to ensure that the Lewis County Historical Museum is a place you get excited to visit and can help shape the future of.

Please feel free to reach out or drop by anytime, I'd love to hear from and meet the folks who make this place such a great resource for our community.

Doug DeVany
Interim Director
(360)748-0831
[email protected]

The Lewis County Historical Museum is open once more, as it was revealed Friday the Lewis County Historical Society Board of Directors has chosen Doug DeVany to be the museum’s interim director. …

05/29/2026

A hairy new visitor has been spotted at the museum…

We have some fun, new natural history displays at the Lewis County Historical Museum, just in time for summer. Stop by to learn more about regional wildlife, geology, logging practices, and wilderness protection efforts.

05/26/2026

Thinking about becoming a member of the Lewis County Historical Museum? We’d love to have you! 💛

Membership is a fun and easy way to support local history while enjoying year-round museum admission, special events, discounts in the gift shop, and more.

Become a member here: https://lewiscountymuseum.org/about/membership/

05/21/2026

Imagine that!

Early logging camps in Lewis County were often located deep in the forests, far from towns and modern conveniences. Loggers lived in rugged bunkhouses, worked long days in dangerous conditions, and helped build the timber industry that shaped much of the Pacific Northwest.

The logging industry played a huge role in the growth of Lewis County, and its impact can still be seen throughout the region today.

1st image: Somerville Mill loaded log train coming out of logging operation near Napavine, WA. Photo ca. 1910.
3rd image: McCormick Lumber Co. Steam engine crew ca. 1928

05/15/2026

Whoever left their kids here… can you pick them up? 👀

Whether you love them or find their permanent side-eyeing expressions a little unnerving, each of these dolls tells a story about what childhood looked like long before the age of screens and electronic entertainment.

Come visit the Lewis County Historical Museum and see what other glimpses of the past are waiting to be discovered.

04/30/2026

Looking to dig deeper into Lewis County history, or even your own heritage? The Margaret Shields Research Library is a treasure trove of photographs, documents, and archives waiting to be explored.

Whether you're researching your family roots or a local story, this is a solid place to start! We even have affordable research assistants to help you in your search, if you’re not sure where to begin.

04/28/2026

After you’ve wandered our exhibits, stop by our Visitor Information Board to discover other places to explore, historic sites, and organizations that help us preserve the stories of our community.

What’s your favorite place to visit in Lewis County?

04/22/2026

Did you know?

Long before towns existed, the rivers of Lewis County were major trade and travel routes for tribe members. Our Chehalis and Cowlitz Indian Tribal Room houses numerous artifacts and stories that illustrate indigenous lifestyles, trades, and crafts.

Visit the museum today to discover local tribal history. For more information about our exhibits, visit the museum’s permanent exhibit page: https://lewiscountymuseum.org/exhibits/permanent-exhibits/