The Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center has moved its rotating gallery to a temporary location as it embarks on a transformative expansion and renovation of its historic buildings. With a commitment to maintaining operations and programming, the Museum has opened a temporary gallery at 30 South Mission Street, just down the street from the main Museum buildings. The new space will serve as the Museum’s primary gallery and will ultimately house the gift shop and guest services during construction.
The expansion and renovation project, titled “Branch Out” will officially begin with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 16. The main Museum buildings at 127 South Mission Street are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until groundbreaking.
The Museum’s new gallery will debut with two exhibitions—the 47th-annual Regional High School Art Show and the Beauty of Bronze Showcase—both opening Friday, March 6. The exhibitions will be open to the public with limited hours through Saturday, April 11. Check our website for opening hours.
Museum programming will continue throughout the renovation at multiple locations. Events and activities will take place at the Wells House and other Wenatchee Valley College venues, while youth robotics classes will be hosted at the former Valley Academy of Learning in partnership with the Wenatchee School District. This year’s Spring Break Camp will take place at 127 S. Mission Street. Super Summer Adventure Camps will be located at a soon-to-be-determined Wenatchee School District facility.
Annual Museum events, including Multicultural Fest, Salmon Bake, Haunted Museum, A Night at the Museum, and Día de los Muertos, will continue at various locations across the Wenatchee Valley with support from community partners.
The renovated and expanded Museum is scheduled to reopen in 2028.
“As our region changes and our community grows, we are building a modern museum to serve as an anchor for the region and a hub for downtown Wenatchee. Fundamentally, we are reimagining the role of the museum in our city, region, and state as a space that ignites curiosity, fosters connection, and deepens understanding for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds”, says Executive Director, Marriah Thornock.
First conceptualized in 2021, the renovation and expansion project, titled “Branch Out” is designed to address several challenges with the current facilities while expanding their service capacity. Built in 1918 and 1938, the two historic buildings lack the functionality of a modern museum experience. The renovation will connect the two buildings, create a new main entrance, and extend the museum space to the outdoors with a welcoming exterior plaza and gathering space. New permanent exhibits will create a compelling and interactive experience. The renovation includes transforming one of the Museum’s most popular exhibits, Coyote’s Corner, into an early learning activity center.
To learn more, visit our Branch Out website at campaign.wenatcheevalleymuseum.org.