MOHAI Bids Farewell to Montlake Home on June 6th & 7th with Free Admission and Special Programming

May 28, 2012

SEATTLE, WA–After more than 60 years in its current location, the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) will bid farewell to its home in the Montlake neighborhood of Seattle by offering free admission and special programming on Wednesday, June 6th and Thursday, June 7, 2012 from 10 am to 8 pm each day.

Since February 15, 1952, MOHAI has occupied its Montlake neighborhood facility in McCurdy Park. Precipitated by the demolition of this building for the widening of SR 520, the museum will close its Montlake location on June 7, 2012 in preparation for its move into the Naval Reserve Building (Armory) at Lake Union Park, slated to open on December 29, 2012.

MOHAI’s final days at Montlake will be highlighted by “Farewell Montlake: A Festive Evening” on Wednesday, June 6th from 5–8 pm. At this block party-style event, guests will enjoy last-chance gallery tours, behind-the-scenes access to the museum, family-friendly activities, live music by the Bushwick Book Club, a cash bar, and food trucks Dante’s Inferno Dogs and Street Treats.

On the next day, during the last Free First Thursday on June 7, 2012 from 10 am to 8 pm, visitors will have a chance to explore the museum’s current and permanent exhibits at Montlake for one final time. Docents and MOHAI staff members will offer special farewell tours and allow visitors to glimpse the moving and packing process.

“This is an incredibly exciting time at MOHAI as we continue our preparations for the largest move in the museum’s history,” stated MOHAI Executive Director Leonard Garfield. “We’re delighted to welcome the community into our Montlake home for one final time. At the same time, we look forward to returning on December 29, 2012 in our new home at Lake Union Park.”

At the new museum, MOHAI will continue to host free admission days, offer its award-winning education programs and provide community meeting spaces, and other public amenities, some of which are available to park users independent of museum admission.

At the new museum, MOHAI will continue to host free admission days, offer its award-winning education programs and provide community meeting spaces, and other public amenities, some of which are available to park users independent of museum admission.