Join us every first Saturday of the month at the Jefferson Museum for free admission all day starting at 11:00 AM, open hours extended to 7:00 PM, and Art Walk activities in downtown Port Townsend.
Friday, October 27 at 7:00 PM Northwest Maritime Center Suggested donation: $10 Register Here Taught by Gary Wessen (2020 DAHP Career Achievement Award) and in collaboration with Jefferson County Historical Society, explore the complexities and questions of early maritime sailing. The ideas discussed in this talk have drastically evolved archeologists' thinking and theories. These questions include: • How did people travel to locations they couldn't walk to? • How far back in time does maritime travel date? • What evidence do we have to prove our theories? Investigating the origins and early history of ocean sailing is a particularly difficult challenge for archaeologists. This presentation considers: • Anthropological ideas about cultural adaptations to maritime environments • What kinds of indirect arguments can be used to evaluate possible evidence, • What currently available evidence from around the world suggests about the antiquity of this type of activity Join JCHS with archaeologist Gary Wessen to learn about the origins of marine sailing. Register here.
Join us every first Saturday of the month at the Jefferson Museum for free admission all day starting at 11:00 AM, open hours extended to 7:00 PM, and Art Walk activities in downtown Port Townsend.
Saturday, November 18, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Free and all-ages! Join us at the Jefferson Museum for a visit from the BurkeMobile Dig In! program! Learn how the three types of rocks that make up our planet are formed from minerals. Uncover the dynamic, shifting nature of our planet with activities focusing on continental drift and plate tectonics. Find out how paleontologists “read” the fossil record for clues about what the world used to look like. Then become a paleontologist yourself by excavating fossils from dig pits and exploring exhibits with fossils and cast replicas of plants and animals from the Paleozoic (sea creatures!), Mesozoic (dinos!), and Cenozoic (mammals!) eras. Dino costumes are encouraged and we'll be bringing some rarely displayed fossils from JCHS's collection to the museum just for this special day of programming. Don't miss this free all-ages event.
Join us every first Saturday of the month at the Jefferson Museum for free admission all day starting at 11:00 AM, open hours extended to 7:00 PM, and Art Walk activities in downtown Port Townsend.
Saturday, December 9, 1:00 - 5:00 PM Free and all-ages! The JCHS) in partnership with KPTZ 91.9FM, is thrilled to announce the Holiday Extravaganza, a celebration of music and community spirit. This free, all-ages event promises a memorable afternoon filled with musical performances, engaging interviews with the artists, fun trivia, and abundant holiday cheer. This year’s lineup features an eclectic mix of local and regional talents, ensuring a vibrant tapestry of sounds and styles. Performances by: Roland and Bobbi Nikles (melodious blend of fiddle, guitar, and vocals); Jessica Logan & Ryan Hoffman (jazz with a Romani swing twist); Pamela Roberts (solo cello, spanning classical pieces through the ages); Jean Lenke & Steve Kirk (classic jazz vocals accompanied by guitar); and Les Couers Criminels (Cajun dance music). The Holiday Extravaganza is more than just a concert; it’s a gathering place for the community to come together and revel in the spirit of the season. Presented in partnership with KPTZ 91.9 FM This event is generously supported by the City of Port Townsend Arts Commission and Lodging Tax Fund.
Captivating Art Exhibition “Jeanne K Simmons: Photographs, Artifacts, and Intimate Works” Opening at JCHS Museum of Art + History We're excited to present a dynamic art exhibition, "Photographs, Artifacts, and Intimate Works," Showcasing globally acclaimed artist Jeanne K Simmons. This highly anticipated exhibition welcomes the public on Saturday, March 2, 2024, delivering a unique and thought-provoking experience that delves into the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. Within the immersive realm of Simmons' exhibition, visitors are invited to explore and contemplate the profound relationship shared between humans and nature. Jeanne K Simmons, renowned as both a land artist and environmental artist, masterfully weaves captivating narratives through her photographs, objects, and intimate works. Simmons' art echoes her deeply held belief that humans and the natural world are inseparable. Her creations often showcase women harmoniously integrated into natural settings, surrounded by meticulously organized foraged materials. These art pieces serve as an expression of her deep reverence for the environment and her concerns regarding the delicate bond between humans and nature. The exhibition offers a diverse range of works, each possessing its unique story and source of inspiration. Notably, Simmons’ artistic prowess extends beyond photography to include tangible objects and sculptures, […]
We're thrilled to announce the opening of the exhibition Tessa Hulls: Feeding Ghosts. This showcase will be on display from March 2 to July 7 in the downstairs gallery of the museum. Featuring excerpts from the newly released nonfiction graphic novel of the same name, written by Tessa Hulls, "Feeding Ghosts" delves into Hulls' profound quest to bring peace to her family's ghosts, as chronicled in her deeply moving memoir. To complement the exhibition, the museum is hosting a special event – the "Feeding Ghosts Book Talk" with Tessa Hulls, moderated in discussion by Lisbeth White. This event will take place on March 7 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Cotton Building in downtown Port Townsend. Admission is free, and signed books will be available for purchase during the event. Tessa Hulls: Feeding Ghosts is a graphic memoir that explores three generations of Chinese women, navigating themes of love, grief, exile, and identity. Hulls portrays the lives of her grandmother, mother, and herself, revealing the intergenerational impact of trauma and the enduring power of love. Tessa Hulls is an artist, writer, and adventurer known for illuminating the connections between the present and the past. With a rich background […]
Join us at the Cotton Building in downtown Port Townsend for an engaging evening with Tessa Hulls, the acclaimed author and artist behind the graphic memoir "Feeding Ghosts." On March 7, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Tessa Hulls will share insights into her riveting nonfiction graphic novel, which offers a profound look at her family's history and her journey to reconcile with the past. Tessa Hulls delves into her heritage in "Feeding Ghosts," exploring the narratives of three generations of Chinese women and their experiences with love, grief, exile, and identity. The memoir is a touching testament to the intergenerational effects of trauma and the resilient power of love. This intimate book talk will be moderated by Port Townsend's own Lisbeth White, a writer and ritualist whose keen understanding of narrative and culture will guide the conversation to deep and meaningful places. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Tessa Hulls in person and get your copy of "Feeding Ghosts" signed. It's an evening that promises to be as enlightening as it is inspiring. Event Details: Date: March 7 Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Location: Cotton Building, downtown Port Townsend Admission: Free Extras: Signed copies of "Feeding Ghosts" […]
Join us for an enlightening evening as the Jefferson County Historical Society presents From Ashes to Archives: New Research about the 1900 Fire at Memorial Field, hosted at the Northwest Maritime Center. Delve into the rich history of the area now known as Memorial Field. At the turn of the last century, this vibrant neighborhood was a cultural and economic hub in Port Townsend, home to many Chinese and Chinese American residents and businesses, among others. On September 24, 1900, a devastating fire ravaged the area, essentially leveling the city block and disrupting countless lives. At this event, Ruth Kodish-Eskind (Diversity in Local History Intern at JCHS) will share exciting new research, shedding light on: Specific businesses that were operating on that block at the time of the fire. Details about the lives of four neighborhood residents before and after the fire. Current understandings about how the fire may have started that challenge previously held beliefs. Lasting impacts of the fire on the business and residential district. Intricacies of the research process. In addition to the presentation, JCHS staff will be sharing many of the primary source materials utilized in this research project, including maps, newspaper articles, census records, photographs, […]
