Karshner Center's Story

Timeline
1930 Dr. Warner Karshner endows Puyallup School District with artifacts to start museum that would provide a hands-on engaging use of primary sources to enrich children’s education.
1931 Museum opens in room in Puyallup High School. By 1937 there were 28 display cases full of artifacts, from botanical specimens to Native American artifacts and early Greek and Roman pieces; minerals, gems and sea life.
1945 Pierce County Pioneers Association meets at Karshner Museum, descendants from Puyallup Pioneers attend, State Museum Director attends.
1945-1990 Museum has open houses, open to public during summer & Ezra Meeker Days. Field trips per year: 100 or more.
1964 Karshner Museum moves to Stewart Elementary built in 1924 where it still remains today.
1979 Seattle Times does three page special magazine feature on Karshner Museum.
1981 Museum celebrates 50 years with celebration covered by news shows, newspapers, celebration.
1990-2010 Family Days and Special events added to student field trips.
1998 Chihuly glass pieces added to museum inventory.
2014 Curriculum designed and vetted by Chief Leschi schools and other tribal historians for third grade social studies in “Native Cultures of Washington State: the Cultures and Contributions” field trip to museum revised to have authentic hands-on activities, and projects.
2013-2014 Karshner Museum remodel, exhibit space increased, display cases added, technology updated.
2014 Grand Re-Opening - Attended by Mayors, Legislators, Secretary of State, Puyallup Tribe and Chief Leschi Schools, School Board and many community members and Dr. Karshner’s family.
2015-2018 New field trips designed, free culture & arts family festivals, Night at the Museum events, new exhibits every year.

The Karshner Museum though photos and clippings

What we do: events, festivals, galleries, field trips and more

Elementary Schools

Secondary Schools