Museum location: 235 Mill Ave. S., Renton.

Permanent displays: This 6,000-square-foot museum is housed in a former fire station, a dashing, 1942 art-deco building that is among the last existing structures built in the area under the Works Progress Administration.

Temporary exhibits: "Century by Century" showcases the history of Renton during each decade of the 20th century.

Other highlights: The museum has an archive of more than 7,000 photographs of the Renton area dating to the 19th century, with hundreds of images posted on the Renton Historical Society Web site (www.rentonhistory.org/In dex.cfm).

Don't miss the museum display that details how the Duwamish Indians used stone tools to fell western red cedar trees. They hollowed out logs for canoes and split planks to build winter longhouses, and taught their techniques to early settlers.

Special traveling exhibits: Ten exhibits placed throughout downtown businesses and Renton libraries spotlight topics such as coal mining, the Duwamish Indians and Renton during World War II.

Hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for children over 7. Free admission on the first Wednesday and third Saturday of each month.

Directions: From Interstate 405 southbound in Renton, take Exit 4, and at the second stoplight, turn right on Bronson Way North. After crossing the Cedar River, get in the far left lane and turn left on Mill Avenue South. The museum is on the right in two blocks. From I-405 northbound, take Exit 4, and take the left branch of the exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right on Bronson Way North, and follow as above.

Bus: The downtown Renton Transit Center is located several blocks from the museum, and is serviced by numerous Metro and Sound Transit buses. More information: 206-553-3000 or 800-201-4900 or http://tripplanner.metrokc.gov or www.soundtransit.org.