The Renton History Museum is asking for financial support from the community after being challenged by the pandemic over the past few years.

Early in the pandemic, the Renton History Museum closed its doors for nearly a year, resulting in a revenue loss of roughly $48,000, according to a letter from the museum.

Additionally, the museum’s annual Dinner Auction had to be cancelled during the last two years due to pandemic safety considerations. The museum says this is their only major fundraising event and they had raised nearly $12,000 in one night during the last event in 2019.

Even in the face of these losses, the Renton History Museum has continued to provide unique exhibits, programming and services to the community including:

– Their first online exhibit to accompany What Difference Do Renton Women Make?, featuring Renton’s many women of accomplishment

– Facing the Inferno, a photography exhibit featuring photos taken of wildland fires and the effort to extinguish them

– When You Can’t Go Home, a timely art exhibition featuring portraits and stories of refugees in South King County.

– Online study guides and resources like videos for Renton history teachers, students and parents

In a letter sent out to the community, Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone asked the community to join together in supporting the museum.

“By donating $25 or more, together we can help offset the shortfall the museum has faced due to the pandemic,” Pavone wrote. “To ensure the museum is here for generations to come, we need it during these hard times. For my kids and yours.”

Those looking to donate can do so online at rentonhistoricalsociety.salsalabs.org/donate.