Museum invites community to celebrate on May 16 before groundbreaking

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center is inviting the community to take part in a moment that blends past and future, a groundbreaking celebration marking the start of its long-planned “Branch Out” renovation.

Set for Saturday, May 16 at the museum’s downtown campus, the daylong event will serve as both a sendoff and a beginning, offering one last look inside the historic space before construction begins and a preview of what’s to come.

The morning opens at 9 a.m. with early access to a rummage sale for museum members, followed by a public opening at 10 a.m. Live performances begin shortly after, including dancers from Lewis and Clark Elementary School, leading into an 11 a.m. ceremony featuring community supporters and project leaders.

From there, the event unfolds as both festival and farewell. Food trucks arrive at noon, while guided behind-the-scenes tours at 12:30 p.m. will give visitors a final chance to explore areas of the museum typically off-limits. The day closes with the sound of the Liberty Theater Pipe Organ from 2 to 4 p.m., a fitting sendoff for a building that has long held the region’s stories.

Throughout the day, families will find hands-on activities for children, including a construction-themed play area and an archaeology dig designed to echo the museum’s mission of discovery.

For Executive Director Marriah Thornock, the event represents more than a ceremonial milestone. It is the visible start of a transformation years in the making. She described the project as a response to a growing region, one that aims to create a modern, accessible space capable of serving more visitors and expanding educational opportunities.

The $30 million “Branch Out” campaign, first envisioned in 2021, is designed to address the limitations of the museum’s aging buildings while reimagining how the space connects to the community. Plans include linking the two historic structures, adding a new main entrance, expanding outdoor gathering areas, and introducing interactive exhibits, including an updated version of the popular Coyote’s Corner for early learners.

Fundraising for the project has already surpassed two-thirds of its goal, bolstered in part by a $2.5 million matching challenge established by late philanthropist Dean Weidner.

“We are in the midst of a very exciting fundraising opportunity,” said Capital Campaign Manager Christine Morgan. “Every new commitment made by May 31 will be matched dollar for dollar by his gift, providing a powerful chance to help carry this project forward and bring the finish line closer.”

Following the May 16 event, the museum will close for construction, with a reopening anticipated in summer 2028. But while the building itself goes dark, its programming will not.

Staff and exhibits will shift to a network of temporary locations across Wenatchee, including a new hub at 30 S. Mission Street, as well as spaces at the Wells House, Wenatchee Valley College, and local schools. Signature events, from Multicultural Fest to Salmon Bake, Haunted Museum, A Night at the Museum, and Día de los Muertos, are expected to continue in partnership with community organizations.

In that sense, the groundbreaking is less a pause than a pivot, a moment where the museum steps out of its walls and into the broader valley, even as it prepares to build something new at its core.

On May 16, that transition begins with an open invitation: come celebrate what has been, and take part in what’s next.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media