Northern Kittitas County Historical Society

05/28/2026

***THROWBACK THURSDAY***
Telephone Operators Angie Ritchey & Josephine Rigek, on closing day of the Cle Elum Telephone Company, September 1966. A year later, September 1967, it reopened as the Telephone Museum!

OPEN NOW!!
https://nkcmuseums.wpcomstaging.com/telephone-museum/

05/22/2026

Shout out and Many Thanks to Phil Hess who kicked off the first of this season's Night At the Museum lectures at the Carpenter House Thursday night with a very informative discussion about the ranching history of the Teanaway during the past 60 years. His knowledge of the who, what, where, and why of ranching, farming, and logging in the Teanaway was impressive, and we are so delighted he was able to share that with us last night!

05/21/2026

***THROWBACK THURSDAY***
In recognition of opening weekend at the Telephone Museum, here is a photo from opening day in 1967. Margaret Richardson & Mayor Ray Owens stand proud admiring the exhibits.

Pacific Northwest Bell donated the building and equipment illustrating the development of telephone technology from 1876 to 1970 to the Historical Society. The exhibits include models of Alexander Graham Bell’s early patents, one of the switchboards “retired” in 1966, and a working dial phone switching system. Come celebrate opening weekend with us!

05/19/2026

A huge thank you to the wonderful volunteers from the Suncadia community who spent today helping beautify the Carpenter House grounds! Your hard work raking, trimming, cleaning up, and freshening the yard made such a tremendous difference, and the property looks absolutely amazing because of your efforts.

We are so grateful for your time, energy, and community spirit. It means so much to have neighbors who care so deeply about preserving and supporting this special place. Thank you all for making today such a success!

05/15/2026

Looking for a volunteer for Wednesdays this summer. We could sure use your help!

05/14/2026

***Throwback Thursday***
Margaret Carpenter Richardson at a Bell event, likely for the Telephone Museum. It is here that you see the evolution of telecommunications told through generations of phones and back-end switchboards. The museum also contains alot of other historical collection of coal mining artifacts and displays from Cle Elum’s historical bank.
https://nkcmuseums.wpcomstaging.com/

05/12/2026

We are very excited to bring Phil Hess back for more historical information on the early days of farming and ranching in Teanaway. Phil was a hit at last year's Speaker Series, where he also discussed the logging industry and early settler homesteads. We're looking forward to hear more next Thursday, May 21, 2026, for our first speaker of 2026, at the Carpenter House!

05/07/2026

***THROWBACK THURSDAY***
This is a reminder that we are starting our Summer Series at the Carpenter House this month!! We are very excited to bring Phil Hess back for more information on the early days of Teanaway Ranching. This was such an informative presentation, and you will learn so much!!
DATE: May 21, 2026, at 5:30 at the Carpenter House

05/05/2026

04/30/2026

***THROWBACK THURSDAY***
Look at these fine gentlemen in front of the New Home Bakery in Cle Elum, pre-1918. There are also two little boys behind the men. I tried to find more information on the New Home Bakery but struck out. If you happen to have information on it, please reply to this post!! Would love to hear more about its story!!
Historic photos located on our website. https://nkcmuseums.wpcomstaging.com/historic-photos-collection/