The Heritage Center is a Museum & Research Center.

It maintains historical records and memorabilia for the Square & Folk Dance Federation of Washington State gathered by members of the State Federation since its beginning in 1948. It is dedicated to the documentation and preservation of the history of Square Dance and five related cultural dance forms; These are Round, Contra, Line, Heritage and Clogging.

The Heritage Center was started in September 1979 with a portion of the profits from the 1979 State Festival presented by its host Mt. Baker Council. Other funding sources since then have been Memorial donations, Cash contributions from individuals, Festivals and Federation funds.

Items have been donated by groups and Individuals throughout its existence.

Finding a location for Heritage Center required the services of many dedicated people. For three years, the Federation Past President's organization looked for a centrally located space in museums, colleges, square dance halls, and even a trailer to house and display the historical items.

The Shuffler's Shanty in Kennewick was ultimately chosen because it was dancer owned and managed. Even then the existence of the center took the dedicated efforts of many organizations and persons who have devoted considerable time, labor, expertise and financial considerations to its being.

Due to space limitations, the Heritage Center was moved in 2004 to is current location at the North Spokane Dance Center in Spokane, WA.

The Heritage Center is governed by a board of trustees, four "At large Dancers" and four "Past State Federation presidents", along with representatives from each of the current Federation Councils.

It is a place for you, the dancer to appreciate, reminisce and recall the delights of our National Pastime.

What can one expect to find in our Heritage Center?

• The History of the Washington Square & Folk Dance Federation, its current and disbanded Councils and Clubs.
• All Square & Folk Dance Federation Meeting minutes.
• The State Federation magazines "FOOTNOTES" which was started in 1950, State Federation Directories, which is listing all Federated Dance Clubs since 1948.
• State Education & Leadership Seminar materials - including transcripts, booklets, pins, fact sheets of proceedings since inception in 1969.
• Other publications including State Festival programs and final reports, since 1949.
• State Federation Scrapbooks - began in 1948 - include photos, articles, flyers, clippings and other memorabilia.

Displays:

• Parker, MacGregor, Presidents awards. (Recognition Award given once a year to individuals)
• Honor roles & commemorative plaques honoring state and local leaders, deceased members and contributors to the center.
• Each of the active Councils has a large glass enclosed display case in which to show their own unique historical documents and memorabilia.
• Badges of past and present Clubs, Councils, State Festivals and State hosted National Conventions.
• Some examples of dance attire, festival dress and National apparel.
• Equipment - old P.A. sets, players, and related items.
• Promotional material, trophies & pins

Please complete the form to the best of your knowledge and attach a short story of their life' participation in dance activities and other information. If available, please include the newspaper obituary and/or a picture, if available. Information of where to send the form and make out the check is on the form.

Acknowledgement will be sent to the Honoree's Family, assuming information is provided on the form.

The name of the person honored will be placed on a brass plate and added to the Memorial Board in the Heritage Center.

Acknowledgement will be sent to the Contributor and/or the person you wish to honor.
The name of the person honored will be engraved on a plaque and posted in the Heritage Center.