Preserving history is a labor of love. It takes a lot of time and resources, and there is not much money to be made for most involved. But it’s an important job that the McCleary Historical Society has taken to heart for the past 50 years.
Incorporated with the state on March 1, 1976, the McClear Historical Society was started by a group of citizens who believed our community had a history worth remembering. The first elected board was President Buena Evans, Vice President Marj Farrar, Secretary Margaret Marshall, Treasurer Elizabeth Tincani, and trustees Clare Farrar, Ted Rakowski and Helen Murray.
“The mission of the McCleary Historical Society is to serve as the collective historical memory of the City of McCleary and to serve the community as a cultural center,” shares Program Chair Rachael Hahn.
Running the McCleary Museum & Event Center
A huge endeavor of the McCleary Historical Society is running the McCleary Museum. The nonprofit owns the almost 100-year-old former Methodist Church that is now the museum and event center.
At the museum, aside from the many exhibits, the society holds monthly and annual events, including music, history talks and other lectures, kids’ activities and more. You can learn about sasquatch at a talk, listen to folk music by local Pacific Northwest artists or bring your child for hands-on activities.
The McCleary Historical Society is volunteer run, so the nonprofit manages the museum and all these events utilizing its current team of 35 regular volunteers. In total, the society currently has 173 members and 10 board members. “We are currently working on community outreach, sponsorship and volunteer recruitment,” shares Rachael.
The first Tuesday of every month is a community lunch at the McCleary Community Center hosted by the McCleary Historical Society. It runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Most events are by donation or very low cost, to remove barriers to access. You just never know what you may discover at the Museum! To learn about upcoming events, visit the McCleary Museum website.
Visit the McCleary Museum on the weekends. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. You can also rent the event center for your next event! Rachael says the rental is by donation and they have hosted weddings, memorial services, private murder mystery parties and other gatherings! The space has ADA accessible parking and bathrooms.
McCleary Historical Museum 50th Anniversary Event
On March 1, 2026, the McCleary Historical Society invites the public to celebrate 50 years of preserving McCleary-area history! Head to the McCleary Museum & Event Center at 2 p.m. and enjoy a short presentation, refreshments and time to socialize. The event is free to all.
Is history a passion of yours? You can join the McCleary Historical Society starting at just $15 a year, or through volunteer hours, as little as four hours a year. “Members help preserve McCleary and Grays Harbor history through membership fees and monetary donations, which support the yearly expenses of the museum and they volunteer time and skills to the running of the museum as docents, housekeepers, groundskeepers, collection and inventory catalogers, display designers, advertising, program developers, fundraisers and a myriad of other odd jobs that keep the museum running well,” shares Rachael. “Members are also wonderful ambassadors for the museum by encouraging donations of artifacts for display.”
To learn more, visit the McCleary Museum & Event Center Facebook page or website.
McCleary Museum & Event Center
426 S 3rd Street, McCleary
360.964.0561
