Our Commitment to Diverse and Inclusive Histories

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." – Maya Angelou

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"The forgetting of the history of marginalized groups is both a cause and effect of their marginalization." – Susan Jacoby

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"The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history." – George Orwell

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Recent actions by the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies to remove historical content, including narratives about Pfc. Ira Hayes, Jackie Robinson, and many others from historically marginalized communities, represent a troubling compliance with anti-DEI mandates. These actions demand a response.

Indeed, history cannot be unlived, but it teaches us that every person has inherent value. Communities flourish—becoming healthier, more resilient, and welcoming—when all individuals, regardless of race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs, are embraced with equal dignity and acceptance in the public square.

Issaquah History Museums proudly reaffirms its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

One way to experience this in action will take place next Tuesday, March 28th at 7PM at the Fresh Perspectives event. There we are hosting the second convening of a community conversation about people and events depicted in the Early Issaquah History mural on display in the Freight room. Two key subjects in the mural we are highlighting are Indigenous peoples and Chinese immigrants.

Painted in 1976 by artist Bill Haddon, the mural stands out for deviating from the norms of its time by including Indigenous peoples as part of our history. However, if we undertook that same task today we would partner with Indigenous artists and cultural leaders to determine how to center their story in Issaquah's early history. Another scene in the mural depicts the artist's interpretation of the killing of three Chinese migrant workers. This event requires substantially more context to understand its significance beyond its obvious tragic nature. And like the depiction of Indigenous people, we believe that this story must include the voices of those whom it seeks to portray. The Fresh Perspectives event on March 28th aims to bring people together to discuss these important topics, hear from the community—especially communities of color—and stand united in our commitment to ensure that no voice is silenced or excluded.

Another place we affirm our commitment to diversity and inclusion is our online collection of oral histories. The oldest of these histories were recorded in the 1960's and 70's. More recently, my predecessors at IHM took purposeful action to connect with people of color and recently naturalized citizens and gathered their stories to ensure our collection represented our entire community. IHM honors all those who lent their voice to this invaluable collection and we encourage everyone to explore our archives to hear their stories.

As history faces erasure at a national level, Issaquah History Museums stands firm in its commitment to preserving the voices of all communities. By actively diversifying our oral histories and hosting events like Fresh Perspectives, we honor the narratives that enrich and complete our shared history.

We invite you to join us in celebrating and preserving these histories by exploring our collections, attending our events, and adding your voice to this ongoing dialogue. Together, we can ensure that no story is forgotten and that history accurately reflects the diversity of humanity.

Paul Winterstein, Executive Director Emily Lee, Board President