On Display
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 collectionDes Moines, Washington
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, learn, participate
What's Happening at the Museum
Programs
Events & Museum Programs
Find museum openings, public programs, presentations, community activities, and other opportunities to connect with local history.
View events and programsRecent Program
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 photographsResearch from home
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 timelineHistorical Photographs
Explore photographs of homes, schools, businesses, public buildings, parks, and community life.
Browse historical photographsArticles & Monographs
Read research papers, firsthand recollections, preservation guidance, and local-history articles.
Read articles and monographsPieces of the Past
Visit the Society's long-running online project featuring stories, photographs, places, and local voices.
Explore Pieces of the PastFrom the Collection
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 CollectionHelp 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 InformationVolunteer
Share your time as a docent, collections helper, researcher, event volunteer, or community-history advocate.
Volunteer With DMHSDonate
Help care for the museum, preserve local materials, and make Des Moines history accessible to the public.
Ways to Support DMHSLand 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.