By CLAYTON PARK

In 1995, volunteers in Fremont completed a neighborhood revitalization study that identified, among other things, a wish on the part of many local residents and business owners for a place to exhibit and celebrate their community's history.

Suzie Burke, a Fremont land owner who participated in the Fremont Revitalization Project, recalls: "What came out of the survey was a high level of people saying history is important to Fremont, but no so much (about preserving) mortar and bricks as much as the story part."

The results of that survey led to the creation of the History House, which celebrated its grand opening in September 1998.

Located in Fremont, at 790 N. 34th (under the Aurora Bridge), the History House is now open Wednesdays through Sundays, from noon until 5 p.m. There, visitors can find exhibits featuring the history, heritage and arts of Seattle's neighborhoods.

Burke became a major supporter and one of several people who actively participated in getting the History House project off the ground.

Preserving neighborhood history has been a particular passion for Burke. Her mother, Florence (Pfister) Burke, participating in cutting the ribbon to open the Aurora Bridge in 1932 as that year's "Miss Green Lake."

Her father, Joseph Richard Burke, was a Seattle native born in 1904 who operated a millwork company in Fremont from 1939 until the mid-'50s, when he converted the property into one of the city's first industrial parks. Today, that property, which is still owned by the Burke family, is the site of the Quadrant Lake Union Center, whose tenants include Adobe Systems and Getty Images, among others.

Joseph Burke died in 1994. Suzie Burke said part of her motivation for getting involved in the History House Project the following year was "to honor (her father's) history in Fremont. He always described himself as a Fremonter."

Burke said the organizers of History House decided to expand the scope of the project to include other Seattle neighborhoods in addition to Fremont. "We wanted to also include surrounding neighborhoods as well," she recalls. "Then we said to ourselves, 'Why can't it be everybody?'"

Burke's mother, Florence, also served on History House's board until her death in July of last year.

Needing someone who could run the History House on a day to day basis, the board hired Jim Neidigh, a retired Radio/TV exec, to serve as the project's executive director.

Neidigh had experience in running nonprofits, having also worked for the American Diabetes Association prior to coming on board with the History House.

Burke also allowed the History House Project to locate in one of the buildings her family owns that was formerly occupied by Fremont Electric Company.

The History House held its preview opening in April 1998 "and has been open ever since," says Neidigh.

The History House features a number of exhibits that include murals, historic photographs, videotapes and interactive displays. It also operates a gift shop where people can purchase books, t-shirts and various gift items. A dark room has also been set up that allows the History House to make copies of historical photographs. "We don't want anybody to give up a picture," says Neidigh. "They can bring them in for us to copy."

Lining the entrance to History House is a metal fence adorned with whimsical images of houses, ships, birds, fish, animals and people. It's the creation of Christopher Pauley, an artist who hails from Bellingham.

The History House depends largely on contributions and volunteer support. The public is invited to purchase custom inscribed floor tiles, similar to the tiles that can be seen at the Pike Place Market. People who purchase tiles will also receive a charter membership that entitles them to free admission to the History House as well as periodic newsletters. The cost of the tiles is $50 for one line of text (16 characters), $60 for two lines of text, and $70 for three lines of text.

The more support History House receives, the better it can fulfill its mission of providing a means for preserving and showcasing the rich histories of Seattle's neighborhoods.

History House exists so that "we can have a place for neighborhoods to display their treasures," says Neidigh.

For more information, call the History House at 206-675-8875.