{{Short description|Museum in Puyallup, Washington, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox museum | name = Karshner Museum | native_name = | native_name_lang = | logo = File:Karshner Museum logo.png | logo_upright = | logo_alt = A red cupola | logo_caption = | image = | image_upright = | alt = | caption = | map_type = Washington | map_relief = | map_size = | map_caption = <small>Location of Karshner Museum</small> | map_dot_label = | coordinates = {{coord|47.193478|-122.289626|display=inline,title}} | former_name = <!-- or |former_names= --> | established = <!-- {{start date|1930|df=y}} --> | dissolved = <!-- {{end date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} --> | location = 309 4th Street NE, Puyallup, Washington | type = Natural history museum, Children's museum, Native American museum | accreditation = | key_holdings = | collections = | collection_size = | visitors = | founder = Paul H. Karshner | executive_director = | deputy_director = | leader_type = Coordinator | leader = Karen Higgins | director = | president = | ceo = | chairperson = | curator = | architect = | historian = | owner = Puyallup School District | employees = | public_transit = | parking = <!-- or |car_park= --> | website = {{URL|karctr.puyallupsd.org}} <!-- Main site, www.karshnermuseum.org, currently misdirected --> | network = | embedded = <!-- or |nrhp= --> }}
The '''Karshner Museum''', also known as '''Paul H. Karshner Memorial Museum''' and the '''Karshner Museum Center for Culture & Arts''', is a natural history museum located at 309 4th Street NE, Puyallup, Washington. It is one of the only museums owned by a local school district.<ref name="hist">{{cite web|url=https://www.karshnermuseum.org/history.htm|title=Karshner Museum History|publisher=Karshner Museum|accessdate=28 November 2009}}</ref>
==History== The museum was founded in 1930 by Dr Warner M. Karshner and his wife in honor of their son, Paul Hibbert Karshner, who died of polio. Paul was only 17 years of age, just beginning his senior year at Puyallup High School.<ref name="Puyallup.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.puyallup.com/warner-melvin-karshner-biography-karshner-museum/|title=Warner Melvin Karshner Biography: Karshner Museum|date=September 15, 2015|publisher=Puyallup.com|accessdate=25 April 2016}}</ref> It initially consisted of Karshner's private collection of 10,000 items including Native American artifacts. It has grown to include items from South Pacific islands as well as a Dale Chihuly glass exhibit.<ref name="collect">{{cite web|url=https://www.karshnermuseum.org/collect.htm|title=Karshner Museum Collections|publisher=Karshner Museum|accessdate=28 November 2009}}</ref>
The museum is managed by the Puyallup School District and is an active part of the curriculum through fifth grade.<ref name="school">{{cite web|url=http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us/studentlearning/karshner/|title=Puyallup School District: Karshner Museum|date=February 18, 2009|publisher=Puyallup School District|accessdate=28 November 2009}}</ref> It is open during school hours and during monthly "Family Days" on weekends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puyallupherald.com/108/story/4456.html |title=Puyallup quick takes |date=September 30, 2009 |publisher=The Herald (Puyallup, WA) |accessdate=30 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124051754/http://www.puyallupherald.com/108/story/4456.html |archivedate=November 24, 2009 }}</ref>
==Repatriation== In 2009, the museum helped repatriate funerary items from its collections to the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Washington and the Wanapum Band.<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nagpra/index.htm|title=otice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: Paul H. Karshner Memorial Museum, Puyallup, WA|last=Hutt|first=Sherry|date=January 26, 2009|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=28 November 2009}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://karctr.puyallupsd.org/ Puyallup School District museum page] *[http://www.puyallup.com/warner-melvin-karshner-biography-karshner-museum/ Warner Melvin Karshner Biography]
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Category:Children's museums in Washington (state) Category:Natural history museums in Washington (state) Category:Museums in Pierce County, Washington Category:Art museums and galleries in Washington (state) Category:Puyallup, Washington Category:Museums established in 1930 Category:1930 establishments in Washington (state) Category:Native American museums in Washington (state)
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