# Des Moines Historical Society

> The Des Moines Historical Society preserves and shares the history of Des Moines, Washington, through its museum, collections, photographs, research, exhibits, and educational programs.

Official website: https://www.dmhs.org/  
This document is an alternate Markdown rendering of the homepage, not a replacement for the HTML website.  
Updated: November 11, 2026.

## Visit the Des Moines Historical Society Museum

- **Location:** Historic Odd Fellows Hall, 730 S. 225th St., Des Moines, WA 98198
- **Hours:** Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, noon–4 p.m.
- **Admission:** Free; donations are appreciated.
- **Contact:** [info@dmhs.org](mailto:info@dmhs.org) | [206-824-5226](tel:+12068245226)
- **Details:** [Hours, directions, and transit](https://www.dmhs.org/info.html)

## Help preserve local history — Become Part of the Story

Memberships, donations, and volunteer service help DMHS preserve collections, welcome visitors, conduct research, and share the history of greater Des Moines.

### Join DMHS

Become a member and help support the Society's preservation and educational work. [Membership information](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/des-moines-historical-societys-memberships).

### Volunteer

Share your time as a docent, collections helper, researcher, event volunteer, or community-history advocate. [Volunteer with DMHS](https://www.dmhs.org/help.html).

### Donate

Help care for the museum, preserve local materials, and make Des Moines history accessible to the public. [Ways to support DMHS](https://www.dmhs.org/help.html).

## Discover Des Moines History

Explore the people, places, photographs, objects, and stories that shaped our Puget Sound community from the 1870s to the present.

- [Visit the Museum](https://www.dmhs.org/info.html)
- [Explore Local History](https://www.dmhs.org/timeline/)
- [Explore the Collection](https://www.dmhs.org/collection.html)

## What's Happening at the Museum

### Permanent Maritime Exhibit

Discover Des Moines' long connection to Puget Sound through artifacts and stories in the museum's permanent maritime exhibit. [Explore the museum collection](https://www.dmhs.org/collection.html).

### Events & Museum Programs

Find museum openings, public programs, presentations, community activities, and other opportunities to connect with local history. [View events and programs](https://www.dmhs.org/events.html).

### South Puget Sound Cruise

View photographs from the Society's July 20, 2026 cruise aboard the *Lady Mary* and revisit Des Moines' maritime landscape from the water. [View cruise photographs](https://www.dmhs.org/south-puget-sound-cruise/).

## Explore Des Moines History Online

DMHS preserves extensive historical material online. Start with one of these major collections and research tools.

### History Timeline

Follow Des Moines history from early regional exploration and settlement through the 2020s. [Browse the timeline](https://www.dmhs.org/timeline/).

### Historical Photographs

Explore photographs of homes, schools, businesses, public buildings, parks, and community life. [Browse historical photographs](https://www.dmhs.org/photographs/).

### Articles & Monographs

Read research papers, firsthand recollections, preservation guidance, and local-history articles. [Read articles and monographs](https://www.dmhs.org/monographs/).

### Pieces of the Past

Visit the Society's long-running online project featuring stories, photographs, places, and local voices. [Explore Pieces of the Past](https://www.dmhs.org/POP/).

[Search all DMHS web pages](https://www.dmhs.org/search.html).

## Preserving the Everyday Life of Des Moines

The museum preserves thousands of artifacts, photographs, glass negatives, tintypes, newspapers, and research materials documenting work, transportation, recreation, public safety, maritime history, and everyday community life.

These collections help connect today's Des Moines with the people and places that came before us. [Learn about the collection](https://www.dmhs.org/collection.html).

## Land and Community Acknowledgement

The Des Moines Historical Society acknowledges the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, a federally recognized tribe with historic ties throughout the region between the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound, also known as the Salish Sea.

## More Information

- [About DMHS](https://www.dmhs.org/about.html)
- [DMHS sitemap](https://www.dmhs.org/sitemap.html)
- [Privacy & Cookies](https://www.dmhs.org/privacy.html)
- [Follow DMHS on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/people/Des-Moines-Historical-Society/61591260732903/)

Unless otherwise noted, © 2002–2026 Des Moines Historical Society. All rights reserved.