Maple Valley Historical Society Collection

The Maple Valley Historical Society is an Incorporated Organization within the State of Washington and is classified as a 501-C(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service of the Federal Government. The organization is an all-volunteer organization formed over 35 years ago. The goals of the organization are to teach people about the history of the Greater Maple Valley area, provide a means for people to do research on their heritage, and to showcase the history of the area through maintaining two museums with displays of the past. The Society has a paid membership of over 300 people and organizations. The two museums are located on property owned by the City of Maple Valley, located next to the Maple Valley Community Center in the heart of the City of Maple Valley and are the Gibbon-Mezzavilla General Store and the Fire Engine museum. The Gibbon-Mezzavilla General Store is the restored original store of the Greater Maple Valley area that was frequented by early residents. The Fire Engine museum houses the restored 1926 Howard Cooper Fire Engine which was the original Fire Engine used by Fire District 43 Volunteers. In addition to the Howard Cooper, there are displays depicting the early years of the Fire District.