Join the Edmonds Historical Museum to celebrate the opening of “An Immigrant History of Edmonds.” Curated by Humanities Washington Fellow Polly Yorioka, the exhibit honors the diverse cultural heritage of Edmonds and the significant contributions immigrants have made to shape the community into what it is today.
From the early settlers who arrived from Scandinavia and Japan to more recent immigrants from Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, “An Immigrant History of Edmonds” highlights how these communities have enriched the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the city.
Visitors will hear first-hand accounts from local residents about their experiences immigrating to Edmonds, the challenges they faced, the traditions they brought with them, and the impact they’ve had on shaping the city’s character through interactive displays, video kiosks, and QR codes to watch interviews on smartphones. Attendees are also encouraged to share their own immigration stories or those of their families.
The exhibit opening features food and musical performances representing Edmonds’ diverse heritage. Catering will be provided by Mai Tran from Rise and Shine Bakery. Indo-Fijian singer-songwriter Jess Pillay will perform at 11am and 12pm. Kenyan artist James Kiare will be present at 1pm to share about his artistic journey.
If you’d like an excellent collection of oral histories, check out: https://www.animmigranthistoryofedmonds.com/ This is a pop-up exhibit at the Multicultural Association of Edmonds 2026.
You can also hear a series of oral histories we collected that are available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJyrEMPvuL4&t=2s
