By MATT PATNEAUDEand CLAYTON PARK

Fremont's History House, a museum that tells the history of Seattle neighborhoods, is celebrating its second anniversary with a party on Friday, Sept. 22.

Suzie Burke, a prominent Fremont businesswoman, helped spearhead the creation of History House in 1995 after a survey of local residents and business owners indicated a strong desire for a place to exhibit and celebrate their community's history.

"What came out of the survey was a high level of people saying history is important to Fremont, but not so much (about preserving) mortar and bricks as much as the story part," Burke recalled in an interview a year ago.

The volunteer organizers of the museum decided to expand the scope of the project to include other Seattle neighborhoods as well. "We wanted to also include surrounding neighborhoods as well," Burke recalled. "Then we said to ourselves, 'Why can't it be everybody?'"

Three years and many volunteer hours and contributions later, History House marked its official opening.

History House currently offers displays of eight neighborhoods, which will be rotated with displays of other neighborhoods, as well as five video programs available for viewing and four touch-screen computers. The museum also has a 2,500-square-foot covered courtyard, which is used to display a variety of objects. Lining the entrance to the museum is a metal fence, created by Bellingham artist Christopher Pauley, which is adorned with whimsical images of houses, ships, birds, fish, animals and people.

Jim Neidigh, a retired Radio/TV executive who later worked for the American Diabetes Association, serves as History House's executive director.

Burke, president of the museum's volunteer board of directors, will be master-of-ceremonies for History House's anniversary party, which will be held from 5-7 p.m. The event will also honor docents of Woodland Park for their extensive volunteer work in the community.

Featured speakers will include David Towne, director of the Woodland Park Zoo, Kim Haas, Woodland Park Zoo's docent coordinator, and retired Outlook newspaper publisher/current Jet City Maven columnist Stan Stapp, who will introduce special guest Trudy Weckworth, the recently retired longtime community newspaper journalist best known for her crime coverage.

Festivities include wine, appetizers, harp music and a chance for people to view History House's current exhibits. Valet parking is also available at the Courtyard Gate. Admission cost is a $15 donation to benefit the continued operation of the non-profit museum.

History House is located at 790 N. 34th, under the Aurora Bridge. To RSVP to attend the anniversary event, call 206-676-8875.