A Tiny Museum with a Big Story: The Launch of the "World’s Smallest Houseboat Museum"

For decades, the floating homes of Lake Union have been a symbol of Seattle’s quirky, independent, and maritime spirit. This summer that history is stepping into the spotlight. The Floating Homes Association (FHA) is proud to announce the opening of the "World’s Smallest Houseboat Museum," hosted at the recently renovated Keasler Cottage.

A Vision in the Making

The museum is the realization of a long-held vision by the FHA President Stafford Green to bridge the gap between the docks and Seattle, sharing the "colorful lifestyle" of houseboat living with the wider public. To bring this project to life (and save a historic cottage from disintegration) , the FHA has invested $30,000 in major renovations to save and stabilize the Keasler Cottage. Beyond the physical restoration, volunteers have dedicated countless hours to "panning for stories" in the archives—carefully scanning and reviewing decades of photographs and artifacts to save the houseboat stories and create a curated look at life on the water.

From Shanties to Sanctuary

The story of Seattle's floating homes is one of grit and adaptation. Born in the late 1800s as affordable shanties for loggers and fishermen, these dwellings were once the wild outposts of the city. During Prohibition, the docks became local legends for their "booze hatches"—hidden compartments beneath the floorboards where residents could chill spirits in the lake water, away from prying eyes.

As FHA Historian Adam Woog writes in his book, Still Afloat, the community represents "one of the strongest survival stories of any urban neighborhood in the U.S." This museum traces that evolution from those early 1900s working-class roots to the modern-day architectural gems that float on the lake today.

Global Inspiration, Local Spirit

The museum’s development wasn't just a local effort. FHA Operations Lead Lilly Effertz traveled to Amsterdam to research the world-renowned Woonbootmuseum (Houseboat Museum), bringing back insights on how to maximize a small footprint to tell a massive cultural story.

More coming, too!

The FHA is using this inaugural season as a "testing phase" for the cottage. The space will also host:

• Small music events and art shows highlighting local maritime talent.

• Community meetings to foster connection between neighbors including the Seattle Neighborhood Alliance.

Plan Your Visit

• When: Every Sunday in June and July.

• Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

• Where: Keasler Cottage, 2329 Fairview Ave E, Seattle, WA.

• Admission: Free to the public.

The museum will feature Live Q&As with Adam Woog, who will be on-site at the museum to share stories and answer questions about the lake’s unique legacy. Come explore a century of history in the World’s Smallest Houseboat Museum—a celebration of a community that has fought, thrived, and remained afloat.