History & Heritage

If you love your outdoor recreation with a side of history, there is no better place to than Heritage Park, located in the City’s historic Market district. The Market neighborhood is “old Kirkland” at its finest, offering numerous opportunities to experience the City’s rich and vibrant past. Heritage Park is bordered to the south by the historic Heritage Hall, situated at the corner of Market Street and Lake Avenue West. 

Heritage Hall is a Greek revival building that was built in 1922 as a church and converted to office use in 1968. It is now the home of the Kirkland Heritage Society where a time capsule donated by the Kirkland Woman's Club includes early photographs of the building, city copies of handwritten documents on church history and the building's chronology. Heritage Hall is also available for rent.

While you’re exploring Market Street, make sure to stop by the Peter Kirk Building, built in 1891 and located at 620 Market Street. This is the only surviving building directly linked to City Founder Peter Kirk, whose office was located on the second floor. The Peter Kirk building is a highly distinctive and well-preserved example of picturesque Victorian era commercial design.

The Kirkland Art Center and Gallery now makes its home here offering classes and innovative art shows. Visit the Kirkland Arts Center.

Juanita Beach Park is another Kirkland park of historic significance, and City park planners have gone out of their way to showcase its vibrant past! Originally homesteaded by Dorr and Eliza Forbes, namesakes of the nearby meandering creek, the park flourished as a resort in the 1920s. Eventually passed along to King County, ownership of the park transferred to Kirkland in 2002. Today, Juanita Beach is one of our most popular beach parks and has recently undergone dramatic improvements including new children’s play area, new bathhouse and brand-new public art that highlights the park’s early origins.