Spokane Law Enforcement Museum must relocate

The Spokane Law Enforcement Museum needs a new home.

The space it has occupied since 2010 on the lower level of the Parsons Hotel at 1201 W. First Ave. is being renovated, which is forcing the museum to move.

On Saturday and again on Tuesday, the all-volunteer museum will be open to the public and celebrating its fifth anniversary, but also the end of its stay at the Parsons.

Museum hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Entry fees are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors or military personnel, $3 for students and $2 for children 12 and younger.

The museum estimates it has 3,000 items in its collection, everything from historic badges to prisoner-made weapons. Several agencies in the region are represented in the collection, which includes uniforms and extensive photographs.

The Spokane Housing Authority, which opened the renovated Parsons in 1982 for low-income seniors, wants to convert the Parsons’ financing to take advantage of federal tax credits.

That would bring in new funding that will be used to renovate the apartments and the space occupied by the museum, said Cicely Bradley, director of property management for the housing authority.

She said an architectural consultant has been brought on board to determine the scope of work needed in the building. Work should begin in the summer.

Bradley said the 50 apartments in the building would continue to be occupied during the renovations.

Sue Walker, the secretary-treasurer of the museum, said parts of the collection will be displayed at the Law Enforcement Credit Union, 924 W. Sinto Ave.

Other items will be placed in the Hallways of History displays inside the Public Safety Building.

The rest of the collection will be placed in storage, which is being provided by the city.

The Capt. Edmund “Corky” Braune Family Foundation has offered to pay moving expenses.

The collection was acquired starting in about 1990 when curator and museum president Glen Whiteley began collecting law-enforcement memorabilia.