Master Plan

Contact Information

In February 2010, the Renton History Museum completed a new Museum Master Plan, after nine months of work led by Gyroscope, Inc., a nationally recognized museum planning and design firm.

Museum staff worked with museum-goers, volunteers, the Renton Historical Society board, historical society members, City of Renton staff, and many others to explore paths toward a sustainable future for the museum. The resulting plan provides a new vision for the museum’s next 15 years as the only local heritage organization for our growing community.

What is a Museum Master Plan?

Members of the Master Plan Steering CommiteeThe Master Plan lays out a new strategic approach - called the “Experimental History Project” - that will help the Renton History Museum better serve the need and interests of the community. This new approach calls on the museum to involve Renton residents and museums-goers in exploring historical questions.

Exhibits and programs will break out of the traditional boundaries of history, using art and science, for example, to explore Renton’s heritage. The Master Plan also outlines exciting changes to the museum building, including a more inviting entrance and lobby, a more open exhibit gallery, and a more engaging, pedestrian-friendly streetscape.

The Master Plan will help the museum as a learning environment, enhance it as a place for the exchange of ideas, and reacquaint the community with the status as Renton’s only heritage organization. Most importantly, the plan will help the museum better connect the past with the present and the future.

Next Steps

Sustaining A City exhibitAs the museum plans a fundraising campaign to implement parts of the Master Plan, the Renton Historical Society Board of Trustees and museum staff have been moving forward with the plan.

Temporary exhibits are being changed much faster - many exhibits have been collaborations with Renton students, artists, and local civic organizations. Visitors over the last three months have been treated to several new items.

In 2011 to 2013 museum staff took the plan to local community leaders and potential donors to hear what they had to say about the new direction. The quarterly newsletter was redesigned in 2013 and in 2016 a total redesign of our lobby and office spaces was completed.

Get Involved

As work on the master plan moves forward, an online conversation about the future of the Renton History Museum continues on Twitter and Facebook. Renton Historical Society members and donors will also receive regular updates through the museum newsletter.

For more information about the master plan process or to become involved, contact the museum's director.

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