Relive the glory of roller disco, couples’ skate, the snack bar, skate fashion, and your favorite skating music. Learn how present-day roller derby and new innovations are enlivening skate culture. The exhibition also explores how skating culture has reflected social and political movements over time, providing both entertainment and community.

The history of this sport in Washington goes back several decades, connecting people from all parts of the state. Explore artifacts and photographs from the Washington State Historical Society and other museums and community organizations, including items from early endurance competitions, objects connected to modern roller derby, period fashions that provide context for the skating culture of their time. Also shown are roller skates that show the evolution of skate design over time, beginning in about 1840.