Museum Supporters Tell Dow How Important Our Museum Is!

Over 30 Shoreline Historical Museum supporters held an informational demonstration today to KC Executive Dow Constantine today, 7/26. 

KC Executive is greeted by Shoreline Historical Museum supporters
photo credit- Vicki Westberg

The Executive was scheduled to meet with the Shoreline City Council at our new City Hall about topics of mutual interest. 

Museum supporters waiting in front of Shoreline City Hall for Dow Constantine's arrival

Over 30 demonstrate in front of City Hall waiting to inform Dow Constantine
about the risk to the Shoreline Historical Museum
photo credit-Janet Way

The Museum Supporters wanted to alert Dow Constantine to the grave risk faced by one of it's newest King County Landmarks. The Shoreline School District is planning to evict the Shoreline Historical Museum and "repurpose" the Historic Ronald School, and "retrofit" it to be the facade of it's new Shorewood HS. 


The District and Museum Board had made an "Agreement in Principle" last winter, that would have allowed the Ronald School building to be moved to a new site. The Museum had agreed to endorse the Bond/Levy campaign and the measures passed by a relatively narrow margin. However that agreement is now off track, because the proposed site wasn't available after all.  


Meanwhile the City of Shoreline has been planning to include the Museum at Ronald School as a part of its new Town Center planning process. 


The Committee to Save Our Shoreline Historical Museum wishes to emphasize the economic value of the Historical Museum as an important element of the "tourism chain" that can revitalize our local economy and generate great brand value and benefits for the community. The State and Federal government recognize Heritage Tourism as great economic assets for many communities across the nation. The Federal government also recognizes Museums as having precisely the same value and category as libraries. 


The Shoreline Historical Museum is located just two blocks from the new Shoreline City Hall, and was built nearly 100 years ago. Judge JT Ronald donated the land from his homestead to provide a place for the school to be built.  The Ronald School was designated as a Historic Landmark by the King County Landmarks Commission and the City of Shoreline in 2008.


Attending today's rally were, 3 of the original students who attended the Ronald Elementary School.
Executive Constantine took time to speak to some of them and to the children who made their own signs to support the Museum.

Four students from area schools attended. The three girls made their own signs!

photo credit-vicki Westberg

Two original students of Ronald Elementary School speak with Dow Constantine
photo credit-Vicki Westberg

The Committee to Save Our Shoreline Historical Museum sponsored today's rally and wants to work with all parties to find a solution, that will preserve our Museum in the Ronald School in perpetuity. 
We believe it is unthinkable to accept anything less.


The rally was also covered by the Shoreline KOMO News and Shoreline Area News.