About Us

In 1991 the area of Alderwood Manor (Lynnwood, Washington) had grown and looked very different than it had some 70 years earlier, after the Puget Mill Company logged this land. Concerned about these changes and the thought that soon the once proud community of Alderwood Manor would be gone, 32 current and former residents met and formed the Alderwood Manor Heritage Association. In October of 1991 the Alderwood Manor Heritage Association was incorporated in Washington state as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of Alderwood Manor in 1992, the Association developed the exhibit “Reclaiming the Roots of Alderwood Manor.” This exhibit debuted at the Edmonds Historical Museum and then traveled to various locations around Snohomish County. In 1995 the Association was presented with the Malstrom Award from the League of Snohomish County Heritage Organizations in recognition of this exhibit. The award is presented each year for outstanding heritage programs in Snohomish County.

In 1996 the last remaining structures from the Demonstration Farm were threatened with demolition when a new freeway interchange was to be constructed at Interstate 5 and 196th St SW in Lynnwood. The AMHA purchased the original Demonstration Farm Superintendent’s Cottage. Partnering with the City of Lynnwood, plans were made to develop a park that would feature the heritage of the community. The Superintendent’s Cottage would become a part of this new park, and the AMHA would finally have a place to house its collections as well as space for interpretive displays.

A capital campaign raised funds to reconstruct the Cottage at Heritage Park. The Association’s membership was responsible for donating the majority of funds for the project. City Bank of Lynnwood was the major corporate donor, and additional funds came from the Washington State Heritage Capital Projects Fund.

The Alderwood Manor Heritage Cottage was completed in June of 2006 and opened to the public. The Cottage welcomed over 300 visitors in the first three months it was open.

In 2016, the Association officially expanded its reach to include the history of Lynnwood, rebranding itself as the Lynnwood-Alderwood Manor Heritage Association and Museum.