POULSBO — No one is quite sure when Jim Shields became president of the board of the Poulsbo Historical Society — not even Jim Shields.
This much is known, however: During his tenure, the historical society opened its Heritage Museum in the new Poulsbo City Hall and, in August 2015, opened the Poulsbo Maritime Museum on Front Street. (A board member recalled that when Shields asked for members to vote on whether to open the latter museum, his cell phone ringtone sounded — it was the theme song from “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.”)
The Maritime Museum not only showcases the maritime history of Poulsbo and North Kitsap, but has a library and provides a downtown presence for the Chamber of Commerce. (The society also operates the Martinson Cabin museum in Nelson Park, on Lindvig Street.
Shields, a retired chief with the Poulsbo Fire Department, retires as president of the historical society board at the end of the year, yielding the presidency to Tom Henderson, a building designer and board member who played an instrumental role in the design of the Maritime Museum. Henderson was elected president by the board on Dec. 2. Shields stays on the executive committee as past president. Reelected to their positions: Dave Shields, vice president; Donna Jean Bruce, treasurer; and Judy Driscoll, secretary.
The Poulsbo Historical Society’s mission is “collecting, recording, preserving and exhibiting the history, heritage and culture of Poulsbo and the surrounding communities.” The society conducts field trips and tours, and offers monthly programs on local culture and history.
Here’s more information about the society’s museums.
Heritage Museum
200 Moe St. NE, in Poulsbo City Hall
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday
“This museum captures the cultural heritage and the daily lives of early Poulsbo’s families. Changing exhibits provide visitors a reason to return again and again to glimpse the many facets of life in the evolution of Poulsbo from its early beginnings to the lively community it now is. Heritage Hall features an extensive research library and the central office of the Poulsbo Historical Society.”
Poulsbo Maritime Museum 19010 Front St. NE, downtown Poulsbo
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
“The Poulsbo Maritime Museum officially opened on Sept. 12, 2015 and showcases the rich maritime history of Poulsbo and North Kitsap. Through imaginative exhibits and interactive displays, the new museum invites guests to explore the amazingly diverse history, from families traveling dock to dock to get to their farm products to market in Seattle, to homeporting of Alaska codfish fleets, to the tour ships and paddle boards of today.”
Martinson Cabin Nelson Park, 317 NW Lindvig Way, Poulsbo
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays
“Built in the late 1800s by the Martinson family, this cabin was moved to its present location in 2006 to preserve this important historical landmark and to give residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of early Poulsbo pioneers. Tools, transportation, laundry — nearly every aspect of daily living is displayed to awaken the guest’s imagination to the life of early Poulsbo pioneers.”
