The Lynden Pioneer Museum began in 1976 as an American Bicentennial Project. The museum centers around the Fred Polinder Buggy Collection, a collection of 49 unique horse drawn vehicles, the largest publicly displayed collection west of the Mississippi. Amidst America’s Bicentennial celebration a hue and cry arose among the community to establish a museum and preserve this wonderful collection. Thus was born the Lynden Pioneer Museum. Housed in a historic building built in 1911 it immediately became a destination.
Citizens from Lynden and the surrounding countryside immediately began to donate memories from their pioneer forefathers. Quickly the museum grew and grew. Today it encompasses a collection of 25,000 objects displayed in 5 galleries that cover over 28,000 square feet. Life-size contextual recreations of a pioneer homestead and historic business fronts provide a realistic look into the life of turn of the century Lynden and Whatcom County. Visitors can look into scenes from the past and discover the lifestyles and stories of those that built our community.
Agriculture has always been a mainstay of life in Whatcom County and the museum explores the contributions of local farming through an exhibit in which visitors can see a cow being milked, learn about the chicken farming boom and the basics of horse farming.
The museum also has the only regular exhibit on the development of Transportation from Horse to Horse power. Visitors and community members alike can explore the amazing Polinder Buggy Collection and view an annually changing exhibit on the history of the automobile that features new vintage autos every spring.
Lynden Pioneer Museum also serves as a center for community events as annually over 800 spectators will gather in October to witness demonstrators and historic re-enactors recreate life in Whatcom County a century past. In addition many opportunities exist at the museum that enrich the lives of locals. The museum serves as a resource center through its public archives, holds educational programs for local schools and is regularly staffed by dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers. It also offers special tours and events through out the year.
For easy access to these special offerings you can call (360) 354-3675 or visit our website at www.lyndenpioneermuseum.com. Of course members to the museum are our primary means of support and receive advance announcements of upcoming events, museum store discounts and free admission. Finally the museum offers a cozy gift shop full of great deals and unique local items. A visit to the museum just for this tasty treat is worth your time. The Lynden Pioneer Museum is the biggest small town museum you will ever have a chance to get involved in.
