BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Located in downtown Bellingham, the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention has entertained and educated people of all ages for over 20 years.

The museum has continued to expand and change over the years, watching downtown Bellingham evolve in many ways. After noticing a need to provide more for their visitors, the museum began working on a new project called the “Wonderlab” which is designed to be a space for all families to enjoy.

Wonderlab is the next step for the SPARK Museum’s continued evolution. The 3000 square foot space allocated for this new project is located on the second floor of the museum which currently is home to a family-oriented activity space.

Abby Whatley, Director of Programs at SPARK Museum, says that this next step for the museum’s expansion is much needed.

“We’ve been seeing a need to serve our visitors better,” Whatley said. “That was one of the reasons for this space, that it’s going to allow us to serve the kids and families we already get but do it in a way that’s going to be much more efficient [and] much better.”

Merging science education, history and charisma, the multi-faceted museum focuses on igniting a passion for discovery in topics that aren’t normally covered in a typical classroom setting. The museum hosts over 2500 students a year on field trips, with schools from Whatcom County to King County making a visit on a yearly basis.

The museum displays an array of historical items, with docents stationed around the museum floor to explain and operate some of the relics for visitors. SPARK does not schedule guided tours and instead plays “zone defense” according to Whatley.

“One of the things that keeps people coming back is our docents,” Whatley said. “As you enter a space, there is someone there telling a story, doing a demonstration and making it engaging. That is what’s different that your normal museum experience.”

A docent at the SPARK Museum demonstrates how static electricity is created with a balloon for visitors. Photographer: Sam Kristofferson

Whatley mentions that the SPARK museum’s investment in this new project has been an ongoing conversation for the last 10 years. As downtown Bellingham has continued to change with different mayors and city council members in office, the museum wanted to make sure that this investment was worthwhile in their downtown space.

In recent months, Bellingham’s recently elected mayor Kim Lund initiated an executive order in the downtown area. Lund’s initiative was met with mixed comments from the public, with promises to clean up the downtown area in partnership with the Bellingham Police Department, EMS and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP).

Whatley stated that she has noticed a positive change for the museum with this executive order and that visitors and museum staff feel safer every day.

“Just as an example, not showing up to work with people camping in our doorway is a big one. Having a reduction in that kind of thing and not feeling like visitors walking in are going to feel unsafe is also a big one,” Whatley said.

The main source of funding for the new Wonderlab is through museum guests and foundation grants. SPARK has started a $2 million campaign to get this project completed, with plans to renovate the existing space as well as a new roof for the building. Additionally, the museum has plans to add an elevator to increase accessibility to all visitors.

The Wonderlab, which will be located on the second floor of the museum, is planned to be an accessible learning environment for people of all ages. Photographer: Sam Kristofferson
The Wonderlab, which will be located on the second floor of the museum, is planned to be an accessible learning environment for people of all ages. Photographer: Sam Kristofferson

The Wonderlab is planned to multiple sections inside of the 3000 square foot space, with focuses on electricity, magnetism, optics, acoustics and a “Wonder Garden” with a forest of speakers playing unusual recordings.

A driving force behind Whatley’s passion for this project is seeing the impact the current exhibits have on people of all ages. With this new Wonderlab project, she aims to make an even larger impact on more people and help inspire curiosity and creativity.

“We spend a lot of time learning about discoveries that other people have made and what the world has done with those discoveries. And then [Wonderlab] is hopefully that space where you get to start making some of those discoveries of your own,” Whatley said.

More information about the new “Wonderlab” can be found on the SPARK Museum’s website.