When you think about a "historical society,"
you probably think of a bunch of old people, sitting around with knitting on our laps
or whittling a piece of wood, watching dust gather on a bunch of old logging
equipment, right? Well, that's not us!
We are a pro-active
historical organization, and the work we do is essential to the
communities of Kitsap County. The best work we do takes place IN
the towns around us, tracing our birthrights and heritage. We are
passionate about the history of this region, and feel that the lives and
experiences of those who have gone before us are treasures that should be
kept safe. We are a balance of old and young people of varied pasts and
cultures, joined together for a common cause. We are not satisfied to
merely watch over some old farm equipment.
(OK, some of us are "more experienced" and a bit long in the tooth,
and we are known to occasionally dabble in crafts that can be done
from a rocking chair. But we are energetic and young at heart. Our younger
members provide the inspiration!)
KCHS owns and maintains a wonderful museum in Bremerton,
Washington, across Puget Sound from Seattle. Bremerton is one of the Pacific Northwest's oldest and most
storied communities, and has been the home of the largest Navy yard on the
West Coast since the turn of the century. While the museum effectively
serves as Bremerton's historical centerpiece, it also reflects the larger
scope of our effort -- the history of all of Kitsap County. This includes
larger communities such as Port Orchard, Silverdale, Poulsbo, &
Bremerton and smaller communities such as Olalla, Chico, Tracyton, Gorst,
and Manette.
We're dedicated to discovering the origins of all of this, and we
have made it our business to document that history and serve as caretakers
of that rich past so that it can be studied and enjoyed by future
generations.
"The museum exhibits
are just a small piece
of what we do; The essence of our work
lies in projects like the Kitsap History Book
and the Historic Sites
Program. This is very important and significant work!" -- Mark Williamson, KCHS
President.
(Photo provided by Gary Beanland.)
The historical society and museum are interdependent. The museum serves
as a tourist attraction and research center, while the historical group
works within the communities we serve.
The museum houses some extremely important collections, and the always
expanding exhibits are a marvel to see: everything from a simulated Main
Street, to a doctor's office, a school, a dry goods store and a floating
loggers cabin. Period clothes and tools are displayed, as well as
memorabilia from the eras and cultures that have colored Puget Sound. Of
course, the famed "Mosquito Fleet" steamships and the United States Navy
are well-represented, as are the homesteaders, fishermen, and Native
Americans.
The museum and the society, together, also provide services and
undertake projects that are absolutely critical, including:
The publication of Kitsap County: A History. This extremely
large and comprehensive volume, now in it's third printing, records the
histories of the people and towns of Western Puget Sound. It has proven
to be an invaluable resource for historians throughout the West.
Kitsap County's Historic Sites Project. We have identified and
recorded the past of more than a hundred historical locations and
buildings throughout the county so that future generations can
re-discover their past.
Research Services. We make our archives and research materials
available to the public as much as is practical, and can provide
research assistance for a very reasonable fee.
Beyond all this, we are a social organization, and we hold several
annual events designed to bring ourselves closer together so that we can
share our passions.
The Kitsap County Historical Society was established in
1948. In January of that year, a committee was formed, consisting of Ms Chloe
Sutton, Mrs. Lulu Haddon, Mrs. Eleanor van Elton, and Mr. A.P. Carroll, with Mr.
Elgie Hoffman serving as Director and his wife filling in as his assistant.
The Museum was initially housed at the County Courthouse in Port Orchard, and
opened to the public in 1949 with a small display of historic items gathered
from county citizens. The Museum was open only on Mondays, which was Court Day.
The single room was made available for special occasions and for school tours.
In 1976 the Museum was able to move to a building of its own, in old town
Silverdale. A professional staff was hired and the Museum was open five days a
week, providing educational exhibits and research opportunities.
The museum collection began to grow, along with Kitsap County’s population. In
order to meet the needs of this expansion, the Historical Society purchased a
larger building in downtown Bremerton at 280 Fourth Street, in the center of the
Arts District in 1996. The Museum is now open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday
through Saturday, (except for on major federal holidays), and is handicapped
accessible. On the first Friday of each month the museum is open until 8:00 p.m.
for the First Friday Art Walks. Our archives are open by appointment and are
used for research by authors, students, government personnel, local citizens and
tribal groups.
The Historical Society is very proud of its museum, its commitment to education,
and its service to the community. Almost monthly, it sponsors events and
educational programs open to the public on a variety of interesting topics.
Recent programs have included: “Care and Preservation of Family Photos”;
“Walking Tour and History of Early Bremerton”; and the debut of an
educational traveling history kit on the topic of Japanese Internment. The
Museum regularly schedules visits by school and scout groups.
Our volunteer program offers a variety of interesting, rewarding, and
educational opportunities for people of all ages, including military personnel
and their families. Volunteers are invited to become involved in all aspects of
the museum, including exhibit planning, artifact care, and educational outreach.
In addition, “work experience” opportunities are offered citizens who are
seeking employment and need “on the job” experience for their resume.
“Kitsap Kits” is an educational program created by the Historical Society
and used as a standard by museums throughout the Northwest. Administered by the
Olympic Educational Service District 114, the “Kits” offer traveling history
to local school children. Developed by the museum staff, the boxes hold
artifacts or reproductions of cultural and historical interest and offer
students a hands-on experience. Themes are: The History of Trapping and Trading;
Kitsap Schools; Early Technology; Quilting; Fossils; Japanese Internment; and
four different aspects of Northwest Native American Culture. The “Kits” are
used by students in Kitsap, Jefferson, Mason and Clallam Counties, in public,
private and home schools.
The Historic Sites committee of KCHS maintains the Kitsap County Register of
Historic places. It meets monthly to discuss, evaluate and certify places of
significant prehistory and history in Kitsap County.
