POULSBO — There’s a lot of history within these four walls.
A newly established library, or morgue, at Kitsap News Group offices in Poulsbo contains bound editions of various local newspapers, some dating back to 1901, as well as digital copies of newspapers, photographs and special sections dating back to the 1990s.
In addition, the morgue contains historic signage, photographs and other objects of local historic interest. Among the notable loose editions: The Port Orchard Independent’s 75th anniversary edition from 1963, which features a front-page message from President John F. Kennedy.
The morgue contains bound copies of (in alphabetical order):
- Bremerton Patriot: 1999-2017.
- Bremerton Progress: 1991-92.
- Central County Press/Silverdale Reporter/Central Kitsap Reporter: 1981-present.
- East Bremerton Advertiser/East Bremerton News: 1964-66.
- Kitsap County Herald/North Kitsap Herald: 1901-present.
- Kitsap Daily: 2005-08.
- Northwest Navigator: 2000-11.
- Port Orchard Independent: 1973-present.
- Puget Sound Navy News: 1992-2000.
- Trident Tides: 1991-94.
The morgue contains filed copies of:
- Kingston Community News
- Kitsap Military Times
- Veterans Life
The Port Orchard Independent was founded in 1890, but the company’s bound editions dating prior to 1973 were destroyed in a fire. The East Bremerton Advertiser, which became the East Bremerton News, was published at the time by Jack Rogers, who also published the Port Orchard Independent. The Bremerton News was founded in 1901.
Historical societies can visit the library by appointment. Research requests can be made by email to rwalker@soundpublishing.com.
Kitsap News Group Managing Editor Richard Walker said printed newspapers are still important, even as digital platforms continue to take a share of readers.
“Newspapers are diaries of community life,” Walker said. “As consumers of information, we have so many ways to access information — radio, TV, print, digital. But the printed record continues to be an important part of the media mix because it is an unalterable record. And, as a Georgetown University researcher once pointed out, ‘As the world has seen with radio after television’s debut, the creation of a new medium does not necessarily invalidate the former ones. Print is a time-tested format that continues to fulfill promises that technology cannot yet deliver.’ “
Randy Hunt of the Central Kitsap History Club regularly conducts research at the Kitsap News Group research library for the Past & Present column he writes for the Central Kitsap Reporter.
