In the winter of 1970, a series of storms uncovered artifacts at a Makah village that had been buried by mudslides approximately 500 hundred years prior. As archaeologists began to excavate the site, they uncovered six preserved longhouses and more than 55,000 artifacts that offer significant insights into Makah life prior to European contact. The site has been described as the Western hemisphere’s version of Pompeii—only more immaculately preserved. In 1981, NEH funding helped the Makah Tribe design some of its first exhibits, giving the public an opportunity to encounter the archaeological findings while learning about Makah culture.

More recently, NEH funding has helped the Makah Museum take important steps toward keeping its collection safe. Funding for a lighting retrofit helped the museum replace an out of date system with LED lights that protect artifacts while conserving energy and making it easier for visitors to see the exhibits. Likewise, by installing a new LED heating system, the museum is able to better regulate temperatures, which protects its collection while saving energy and ensuring a more comfortable visitor experience.

And a recent Common Heritage grant has enabled the museum to host community scanning events, during which Makah Tribe members were able to digitize and safeguard their cherished images while contributing copies to the museum. Further, the museum used these opportunities to work with its community to understand the context for historical photographs already in its collection. Scanners and equipment purchased for the event will have a continuing impact on the museum, allowing it to digitize portions of its collection.