ABOUT US
Bringing history to life since 1992.
The Sedro-Woolley Museum Committee was established in December 1991, and by 1992, we had finalized our articles of incorporation, officially becoming a nonprofit organization. Our first major public event was the Holiday Home Tour in December 1992, and we opened our doors with regular hours on March 6, 1993.
The City of Sedro-Woolley granted us a 25-year lease on the former “Murdock Mall” building, which originally housed Emil Jech’s Ford Garage, built in the 1920s. Over the years, the building has had a diverse history, serving as an automotive hub, a grocery store, and various other establishments before becoming the home of the Sedro-Woolley Museum. Although the building had suffered significant deterioration, the Soroptimist Club generously funded the installation of a new ceiling, and the Sedro-Woolley Rotary transformed the exterior with a newly constructed façade, completed in 1994.
For over 30 years, our all-volunteer museum has been bringing history to life, we continue to build off of the foundation set by a dedicated group of individuals eager to preserve and share our heritage.
Thanks to the generosity of the Jack and Shirley McIntyre Foundation, we were able to complete much-needed repairs and updates to our building’s exterior. Additionally, the Sedro-Woolley Rotary has supported us in creating essential signage and funding the upcoming restoration of our Skagit Steel Snubber located outside. Through a city grant, we successfully relocated our outdoor equipment to the south side of our building.
Inside, we’ve completely remodeled the space with brand-new exhibits that bring our community’s history to life in new and exciting ways. Come by and see for yourself why we were voted Skagit’s Best Museum 2024!
Honoring the past, the people, and their stories in every inch of the museum.
Our building, once home to Berglund Motors, is where Vern Sims began his career in auto sales and service. He purchased the Ford dealership in the early 1960s, eventually rebranding it as Vern Sims Inc., and built a lasting legacy of service and success. His contributions to our community extended far beyond his career in the automobile industry; he was deeply involved in local development and civic life. In honor of his enduring impact, the old Chevron gas pumps, once part of Herb's Chevron, were purchased for us by his son, Dan Sims, as a tribute to Vern’s memory and his commitment to
Sedro-Woolley.
A Story Set in Stone
Remembering Melvin Wilson
Melvin Wilson, was a 13-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short during the infamous Sedro-Woolley Bank Robbery of 1914. On October 17, 1914, amidst the chaos of the robbery, Melvin was struck in the abdomen by a stray bullet. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed surgery to repair his perforated intestine. Despite their best efforts, Melvin succumbed to his injuries the following day, October 18, 1914, passing away from shock after the operation.
Grieving the heartbreaking loss, Melvin’s grandfather, James Wilson, purchased a burial plot for him in Union Cemetery, near the grave of Melvin’s grandmother, Elizabeth, who had passed away a year earlier. However, no headstone was ever placed to mark Melvin’s final resting place.
This year, we are deeply honored to share that Melvin’s story will finally be marked in stone. Thanks to the dedication and generosity of our community, his beautiful new headstone has arrived—just in time for what would have been his birthday.