Reach Museum celebrates 11 years with free admission and family fun July 24

The Reach Museum is celebrating a major milestone this summer and offering free admission to celebrate.

On Thursday, July 24, the Richland museum plans a Community Free Day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., honoring 11 years since the museum opened its doors.

The event will feature:

• Free admission all day.
• Little explorers early learning activities.
• Hands-on educational programming for families.
• Access to the current rotating exhibit “Rainier Remembered,” a collection of vintage postcards, photographs and Mount Rainier memorabilia.
• An 11% discount on new museum memberships (valid July 24 only).

“This is more than just a celebration,” said Patricia Mosley, the museum’s marketing and communications manager. “It’s a way to connect people to the stories, landscapes and science that define our region and to reflect on how far the museum has come.”

The Hanford Reach National Monument, a 196,000-acre landscape along the Columbia River, was established in 2000 to preserve rare wildlife habitat, cultural heritage sites, and remnants of the Manhattan Project. It remains one of the last free-flowing stretches of the Columbia River in the U.S.

Challenge to growth journey

While the Reach Museum celebrates more than a decade of impact, its journey has not been without challenges.

In 2016, the museum faced a difficult turning point when then-CEO Lisa Toomey stepped down and the Richland Public Facilities Board, which oversees the museum, announced it could not afford to replace her. A no-frills 2017 budget projected 35% lower spending than the previous year, resulting in cutbacks to staff, hours and programs.

That financial strain followed revenue shortfalls from admissions and grants in earlier years. Despite welcoming more than 35,000 visitors in its first year and benefiting from 3,000 hours of volunteer support, the museum had to operate with reduced resources, at one point without an executive director.

But even then, supporters saw potential. The Reach Foundation raised a $1.1 million endowment, beginning with an $80,000 contribution in 2017. That long-term investment, along with strategic fundraising, community partnerships, and increased outreach, helped stabilize museum operations.

Growing with the community

As the museum enters its 11th year, Mosley sees this as a defining moment.

“The decision to bring someone into this role full time reflects the museum’s continued growth, not just in visitation and programs, but in ambition,” she said. “My focus is on elevating awareness of everything the Reach has to offer the community, from hands-on STEAM learning to celebrating the Mid-Columbia’s natural and cultural heritage.”

That mission, she said, continues to evolve.

“We’re evolving from being viewed solely as a historical museum to becoming a dynamic educational space — one that invites curiosity, exploration and a deeper connection to our region.”

In recent years, the museum has seen increased interest in school field trips, family programming and seasonal community events. But continued success, Mosley emphasized, depends on strong community support.

“We can’t do it alone,” she said. “The Reach Museum relies on the ongoing support of our community, whether that’s through memberships, regular visits, participation in education programs, or attending the Reach Foundation’s annual fundraiser, Spuds & Suds, which directly benefits museum programming and access.”

Membership that travels with you

In addition to celebrating its local legacy, the museum is also encouraging members to hit the road.

This summer’s Reach Membership Roadtrip campaign highlights destinations across the U.S. and soon, around the globe, that members can visit for free or at discounted rates through Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association, and Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) reciprocal partnerships.

This month’s featured stops are museums in Alaska, including:

• Anchorage Museum at Rasmusen Center – Anchorage, AK
• Valdez Museum and Historical Archive – Valdez, AK
• Museum of the Aleutians – Unalaska, AK

“We want members to see that their Reach membership doesn’t end at our front door,” Mosley said. “It opens up access to more than 2,000 institutions worldwide.”

The campaign launched earlier this year and has already sparked increased engagement.

“We’ve had families renew specifically because they were planning trips to places like Portland or Seattle and wanted to visit OMSI or the Pacific Science Center with their Reach membership,” Mosley said. “One of our educators even used her membership at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and she wasn’t the only Reach member there that day.”

All Reach memberships include year-round admission, discounts at the museum store, reciprocal museum benefits and access.

Roadtrip giveaway

To keep things fun, the museum also launched a Roadtrip Essentials Giveaway this summer. July’s winner, Katy Molina of Kennewick, received a prize pack including a $50 gas card, travel cooler and more.

More giveaways are planned as the campaign continues into August and beyond, with Canada, Mexico, and Europe on the horizon as featured regions.

“We want to show that Reach members can take advantage of these benefits whether they’re headed across the state or across the world,” Mosley said.

Mosley hopes the campaign not only boosts awareness, but also strengthens the museum’s relationship with members.

“Whether you’re visiting for Free Day or planning a trip to Alaska, your Reach membership connects you to a much bigger world,” she said. “It supports the work we do locally while unlocking new experiences across the country and internationally. It really is a win-win.”