The Sammamish Heritage Society is committed to helping residents and visitors learn and understand our rich past. Our mission is to "discover, document and preserve the history of Sammamish" and we do that in several ways: we collect artifacts and oral histories, host lectures, provide interactive experiences and connect people with history.
The Sammamish Heritage Society is a non-profit (501c3) organization, established in 1999 to preserve the history, heritage, and integrity of Sammamish, Washington. The Society was started with the idea to help residents and visitors to our city learn and understand about the diverse history of Sammamish.
The inaugural meeting of the Sammamish Heritage Society was held in April 1999 at the Paula Lillevand Cottage in the Beaver Lake Colony. At the first Sammamish Neighbor Day celebration in May 1999, the group presented a photographic display of the area's history.
Restoration
We are restoring the historic Reard Freed House, a 19th century farm house, to engage the community in local history and allow a glimpse into the past through exhibits and displays.
Grab the arrows with your mouse to slide left to right to see Before and After views
In 2015, Sammamish Heritage Society was given a grant by 4Culture to do an intensive survey of historic properties built between 1888 and 1941 in Sammamish. The purpose was to provide information for the City of Sammamish, King County Historic Preservation Program, the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, property owners and other interested parties, to make informed decisions about the treatment of significant historic properties. Volunteers conduced site visits, filled out field forms, interviewed residents, photographed and did historic research on all 155 properties. Results of survey can be found below, along with the website database WISAARD.
2018 John D. Spellman Award
Sammamish Heritage Society received a 2018 John D. Spellman Award. Each year this award is presented by the King County Executive. The Awards are named for Governor John D. Spellman who was King County's first Executive Officer and responsible for the creation of the King County Historic Preservation Program and Landmarks Commission.