Seattle, Washington story
A Home for the Host Tribe
For the Duwamish people, the host tribe of Seattle, identity is tied deeply to the land and the river. In the 1990s, they began planning a project that would serve as more than ju…
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For the Duwamish people, the host tribe of Seattle, identity is tied deeply to the land and the river. In the 1990s, they began planning a project that would serve as more than just a museum. The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center was built overlooking the river valley, intentionally placed across from Duwamish Site Number One, an archaeological village dating back to about 600 A.D.
This traditional longhouse, art gallery, and museum were created to promote the social, cultural, and economic survival of the tribe. By providing a space that can hold one hundred and ninety people, it serves as a vital center for heritage and a welcoming door for visitors to learn about the original inhabitants of this land. It's a powerful anchor of continuity in a rapidly changing city.
Updated June 2026