The Living Computers: Museum + Labs (LCM+L) in Seattle’s Sodo neighborhood remains an enigmatic presence. Once a thriving hub that boasted the “world’s largest collection of fully-restored and useable supercomputers, mainframes, minicomputers and microcomputers,” this ambitious project initiated by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen now faces an uncertain future. Despite Seattle and King County transitioning into a post-pandemic phase with businesses reopening, LCM+L’s physical space has stayed closed since early 2020, leaving enthusiasts and the local tech community in limbo.
Although LCM+L’s website continues to offer online computer science education resources, the absence of the museum’s tactile, hands-on experience underscores a broader concern: what becomes of Paul Allen’s technological legacy after his passing? The museum has been quiet since a website update on May 28, 2020, which cited the “devastating effect” of COVID-19 on cultural organizations.
Paul Allen’s passion for preserving computing history was evident. As an institution where “other museums put a glass in front of their computers… we put a chair,” LCM+L distinguished itself by allowing public interaction with historic machines that paved the way for modern computing. A visit to LCM+L wasn’t just a stroll through history; it was an immersive journey enabling users to engage with pioneering systems like the CDC 6500, Apple I, and Xerox Alto—devices that, despite their limited computational power compared to today’s smartphones, served as milestones in the evolution of technology.
While the museum stands shuttered, the question of whether Paul Allen’s heirs and business associates share his vision lingers. Vulcan LLC, which manages Allen’s estate under the leadership of his sister Jody Allen, has shown mixed signals. While some of Allen’s prominent investments, such as sports teams, continue to be supported, niche projects like LCM+L seem sidelined. The recent sale of another of Allen’s projects, the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, to Walmart heir Steuart Walton, has raised concerns that Vulcan might be divesting less marketable assets, leaving the computer museum without a clear advocate.
Statements from Vulcan have been sparse, with the company last updating the public on LCM+L’s status several years ago. Inquiries from both individuals and media have been met with generic responses directing attention to the online resources, while the museum’s physical security suggests a protracted closure. “I think it’s going to be closed for a long time,” shared an on-site security guard, hinting at the museum’s dormant state.
If LCM+L closes permanently, the risk isn’t just the loss of a fun and educational exhibit; it’s the fading away of a tangible connection to our technological heritage, a connection that in a tech-heavy city like Seattle seems almost sacrosanct. Considering Paul Allen and Bill Gates were instrumental in setting Seattle’s tech scene in motion, the potential disappearance of this cultural treasure from public engagement is particularly poignant.
LCM+L’s closure, along with uncertainty surrounding other Allen-founded ventures like the Cinerama theater, reflects a broader conversation about the enduring impact of Allen’s philanthropic efforts on Seattle’s arts and technology culture. With an estate valued in the tens of billions, resources to reinvigorate these spaces appear available, yet the path forward remains uncharted.
In the meantime, the legacy of LCM+L and its collection of historic computers remains in stasis, their potential as educational tools and cultural artifacts untapped. The hope for a revival—or at least a fitting resolution—remains with those responsible for stewarding Paul Allen’s estate and his vision of preserving and celebrating the history of computing. The tech community, historians, and enthusiasts alike watch with bated breath, hopeful that these machines will once again hum to life for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
Relevant articles:
– LCM+L, Living Computer Museum
– Paul Allen’s Living Computers Museum remains closed after years, despite lifted COVID restrictions, The Seattle Collegian
– Inside the Living Computer Museum founded by Paul Allen: Where PC history stays alive, PCWorld
– The $1.6B sale of Paul Allen’s art collection looms over Seattle, Crosscut