Whatcom Museum of History and Art

Whatcom Museum is an art museum in Bellingham housed across multiple buildings with different purposes. The Old City Hall displays historical collections, while the Lightcatcher building contains contemporary art and photographic works.

The Old City Hall building opened in 1941 as the first municipal building in Washington State to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure later transformed into a museum dedicated to preserving local history and art collections.

The museum displays works by regional artists and objects that reflect the lives of people in Whatcom County. Visitors can observe how these collections document the community's artistic heritage and social development.

The museum spans two downtown Bellingham buildings, so visitors should allocate time to explore both locations. Both structures are pedestrian-friendly and accessible for those visiting the area.

The Old City Hall features a grand interior staircase and a rotunda chamber that showcase early 20th-century municipal design. These spaces reveal how government buildings of that era were constructed and decorated.