Longhouse, GALLERY AND EXHIBIT SPACE
The Duwamish Cultural Longhouse is an excellent location for your wedding reception, anniversary, business meeting, trade show, bar mitzvah, or class reunion. The Longhouse facility has an array of amenities to offer including conference rooms, a commercial kitchen, and gallery space. The Duwamish Longhouse is a one of a kind location in Seattle and brings with it a tremendous amount of history and prestige. Featured in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine March 2009.
download Documents for rental:
DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE RENTAL AGreement
longhouse floor plan for your set up
Rental Check in after booking
Basic Rental Details:
Renting the longhouse includes the use of our projector and sound system, along with the use of ten wood-slab tables and 100+ chairs. The capacity of our longhouse is 190 standing, or around 100 or less with the addition of tables and chairs. Parking is very limited, so please be aware that you may need to make additional parking or shuttle arrangements for your event. We do not allow open flames, balloons, glitter, or weapons of any kind in the longhouse. If you wish to serve alcohol you must obtain a Seattle City banquet permit. Please be aware that this is a sacred space and should be treated as such. For more information on our policies and pricing, please download the above rental application. A $500 deposit is required to book and save your rental date.
To see our events calendar, CLICK HERE.
Duwamish Tribal Membership Rental Details: CLICK HERE
To help us plan your rental, please fill out the rental intake form below! You can also email us your rental agreement at rentals@duwamishtribe.org
About the space
The Duwamish Longhouse now proudly sits near the mouth of the Duwamish River overlooking the Duwamish River Valley, not far from the landing site of early immigrants. It is also near the ancient Duwamish village hah-AH-poos, on the National Register of Historic Places. For millennia before there was a city called Seattle, thousands of indigenous people - the Duwamish Tribe - lived in harmony with the natural surroundings that sustained them. The native animals and plants were a part of their culture and heritage as well as a source of their food and shelter.
The Duwamish Longhouse is a traditional cedar post and beam structure designed in the Puget Salish Longhouse style as collaboration between the Duwamish Tribe and project architect Byron Barnes, a member of the Montana based Blackfeet Tribe. The Longhouse - as in ancient times - is the site where tribal business is conducted and cultural and educational events are held. In addition, the Duwamish Tribe wants to share its Longhouse with the public to reinforce its cultural and social traditions. Monthly special events as well as ongoing workshops, demonstrations and lectures will be available to the public. School tours will provide children with an introduction to the Duwamish Tribe and Salish People.
The Duwamish Longhouse is also an important regional resource for tribal members, researchers, teachers and students interested in Duwamish history and culture. Historic photographs and associated material collected by historians and researchers will also be available. Lushootseed language materials on CDs, tapes, and videos have been researched and compiled by tribal elder, Vi Hilbert. Select pieces from the adjacent ancient villages, on loan from the Burke Museum, MOHAI, and the Port of Seattle are also displayed in secure, humidity controlled display cases with bilingual signage and interpretation. We hope you will come and visit us soon so we can share with you our Longhouse, and the culture and traditions of Seattle's first people - the Duwamish Tribe.
Longhouse Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 10AM - 5PM
Closed Mondays & Sundays
Art Gallery & Exhibit Area
Free Admission Policy for Individuals/Families: Everyday is a free museum day at the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian. Free parking. Good will donations are welcome. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
FIELD TRIPS & LONGHOUSE VISITS
Field trips are currently unavailable. Please continue to check our website to stay up to date on our educational offerings.
TRADITIONAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
*Educational Programs are currently unavailable*
Our traditional educational programs combine history, art and culture. During their 1-2 hour experience, students participate in the local and Indigenous culture they have been studying. In addition to visiting the “We Are Still Here” exhibit area, we open the door to a deeper understanding of the Duwamish Peoples with traditional songs, dance, and storytelling in the winter cedar longhouse.
Schools will be greeted by a cultural teacher and staff member and provided with a memorable and age appropriate experience. Students may eat their brown bag lunches or snacks in the longhouse after the presentation. Please ensure that students are supervised by a chaperone at all times, especially in the gallery and gift-shop areas. Please contact tours@duwamishtribe.org with any questions or to schedule your visit today.
SELF-TOURS
Alternatively, we offer free self-tours for small groups. The Longhouse provides brief information pamphlets and upon request, a staff member can be available to answer any questions you may have. Self-touring is free, but we do ask that you make a small donation if you are able. Despite being a less-structured tour option, appointments are recommended for all self-tours with more than 10 guests at the longhouse. Please contact tours@duwamishtribe.org with any questions or to schedule your visit today.