As summer starts to wind down, or, in our case, really never got started; it does give a chance to reflect on what we have accomplished, our past and our future.
When Community News editor Tad Sooter sent out his monthly reminder to all of us on the September deadline he also mentioned September is the anniversary of his first year at the Kingston Community News. Tad has done a good job and I know we all look forward to working with him for many more years.
I also looked back at my time writing for the Community News. This article is the 80th I have written. Boy does time fly by!
As I looked back on history and my time at Olympic Property Group, which was 15 years this past April, it seemed only fitting that our business spotlight for this month features The Port Gamble Historic Museum, as that is where I got my start with the company. The museum also tells the story of the founding of the company from East Machias, Maine to San Francisco and their journey to Port Gamble.
The museum opened in June of 1976 in conjunction with America’s Bicentennial celebration and the exhibits trace the history of a dedicated people who prospered with the nation’s growth. Nestled in the heart of historic Port Gamble – the Port Gamble Historic Museum represents efforts to conserve and protect a very special chapter in the history of the Pacific Northwest and the forest products industry.
Port Gamble is the birthplace of Pope & Talbot’s forest products manufacturing operations in the Pacific Northwest. The Port Gamble mill was the oldest continuously operating sawmill in North America, before closing at the end of 1995. The town itself is a National Landmark District, established in 1966. Both the museum and the town are owned by Pope Resources and managed and maintained by Olympic Property Group, a Pope Resources Company, based in Poulsbo.
The museum began with the founders, Andrew J. Pope & William C. Talbot, who left their homes and businesses in East Machias, Maine more than 150 years ago to test their strengths and skill against a yet untamed West. It was 1853 when Captain William C. Talbot discovered the vast Puget Sound timberlands and located the Company’s first sawmill at Port Gamble. Modeled after their own New England hometown, Port Gamble still reflects this unique architectural style today.
Port Gamble’s lumber manufacturing operations soon grew into the longest continuously operating sawmill in North America. The museum has preserved artifacts that date from the opening of the sawmill through its close.
At the Port Gamble Historic Museum visitors can wander through setting depicting the forest products industry in the Pacific Northwest, take a stroll through offices from the first mill manager and follow the documentation that tracks this significant chapter in the history of Washington State. Experience first-hand both original artifacts and some recreated staterooms from the founders of Port Gamble.
Visitors wind their way through the museum and track the transformation of Port Gamble to what it is today.
View the original Land Grant Deeds signed by Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson. Museum tours finish with the chance to sit and read or watch sailing, logging or celebration videos.
The museum is located on the lower level of the Port Gamble General Store building. You reach themuseum at (360) 297-8078 and we are open everyday from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Here are the upcoming September events:
Antiques Sale
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Sept. 3, 4 and 5
Best Friends Antiques is holding a sale. Their inventory includes furniture, leaded windows, nautical, enamelware, tins and even an old stove. Contact the store at sdbwalt@comcast.net or (360) 297-4848.
50k/25k Run
8 a.m., Sept. 5
Join fellow runners in foot races on the Port Gamble Trails. Contact Poulsbo Running for more information and registration at poulsborunning@foxinternet.com or (360) 779-8757.
Victorian Tea
7 p.m., Sept. 11
Tea Room at Port Gamble will offer the perfect light supper for a leisurely fall evening. Call (360) 297-4225 for reservations.
Wool Workshop
12:30-3:30 p.m., Sept.12
Get started working with wool, work on one of the 2009 Wool Block of the Month Projects, finish up old Wool Block of the Month Projects, or start a new wool appliqué project of your own choosing. Cost is $7.50/month or $55.00/year. See www.quiltedstrait.com for more information.
Old Mill Days
3–10 p.m., Sept 24
10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sept. 25
10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sept. 26
Come see logging shows, logging demonstrations, a car show, carnival rides and fireworks. Tickets for the logging show are $5. For more information visit www.oldmilldays.com.
Trail Trek
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
Date to be announced
Search and Rescue Trek is a community event promoting outdoor safety, health and camaraderie while raising money for the local search and rescue unit. Teams and individuals collect donations before the event. See www.KitsapESAR.com for information.
For more Port Gamble events, see www.portgamble.com.
