History Lives Here! The Museum’s Calendar

— from Maggie Vinson of the Orcas Island Historical Museum —

The Orcas Island Historical Museum on North Beach Road, open Wednesday through Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m.

Family Dinner Night, Smugglers Island, History Matinees and Heritage Festival highlight the year for the Orcas Island Historical Museum.

This Sunday begins the monthly series of talks presented by locals, historians, and experts on topics pertaining to Orcas Island, called History Matinees. They will run on the third Sunday of every month Feb-Oct excluding March and July. Talks are held at the Eastsound Fire Hall at 3 p.m.

At the Feb. 15th Matinee, Curator Clark McAbee will present “Service and Citizenship: The Remarkable Murrow Brothers, Lacey, Dewey and Edward.” Edward R. Murrow stands atop the pantheon of broadcast journalists. What many people do not know is that Edward and his two older brothers grew up less than 20 miles from Orcas Island. The brothers all led amazing lives in their own right and made significant contributions to Washington State.

Book Club – The Orcas Island Historical Society has instituted a new Book Club this year. It meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. in the Museum Offices. A number of titles have made the list, all pertaining to local and regional history. If you are an avid reader and are interested in history this is the perfect book club for you.

Family Dinner Night on March 28th serves up “Dragons or Dinosaurs? Myth or Reality?” at Family Dinner Night. Join us on March 28th at the Odd Fellows Hall for an evening full of family fun, Dinosaurs and Dinner. Local Paleontologist Dr. Gerald Grellet-Tinner Ph.D. will explore discoveries in several countries of dinosaurs, their eggs, nests, and embryos that have generated folkloric tales of dragons, vampires, and aquatic monsters. The focus will be on prehistoric tropical islands that are now locked in the center of continents. These islands were havens for a huge bestiary of dwarf and giant dinosaurs.

Then, from May 23rd through Oct 31st, the Orcas Island Historical Museum presents “The Smugglers’ Blues: The Illicit, Illegal and Immoral on the Salish Sea” Exhibit. “Smugglers’ Blues” will chronicle 150 years of smuggling, law breaking and law enforcement in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands: opium smuggling, human trafficking, Log pirates vs. Puget Sound Log Control, U.S. Customs revenue cutters, cigarette boats smuggling cigarettes, the Coast Guard and local law enforcement efforts, moonshining, and more. The exhibit will feature professional research, graphics, and our Director assisting Orcas Islander and guest curator Iris Parker-Pavitt.

The Opening Gala for “The Smugglers’ Blues” takes place on May 23rd from 5 to 9 p.m.. Join us in our museum turned speakeasy for a Roaring 20s-Prohibition themed gala! Costumes are encouraged, tickets are $35. Come enjoy food, fun, games, music and a compelling exhibit chronicling 150 years of smuggling in our region. There will be lots shady characters and lots of dirty deals.

Annual Historical Days Fair & Appraisal Fair begin on July 3rd from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. An Appraisal fair is bringing new life to this year’s historical days fair. The fair will include our annual Hot Dog stand, Beer Garden, family games, craft booths, and the Harvey Logging show. We will also have four appraisers from Guildmark Appraisal & Estate Sale Service, LLC who will be available by appointment through the event to appraise your family collectables and antiques.

Then on July 4th we offer the Annual Pie Booth, and Live & Silent Auctions. After the parade, join us for our live and silent auction. Come on down and find that one treasure that you didn’t even know was looking for you! We will also be hosting our annual pie booth, because it isn’t the 4th of July without a slice of your favorite pie. Grab a slice and have a seat in the beer garden to take a load off.

Once again this fall, the Heritage Harvest Feast is cause for celebration. Due to the amazing response we had last year, we are hoping to make this an annual event. The dinner will highlight local harvest and heritage foods. Please stay tuned for more details about Date, Venue and tickets!

The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14. We’ll be sure to have lots to celebrate at this annual event. Stay tuned for more information on ticket prices and venue!

The Orcas Island Historical Museum in the heart of Eastsound is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.

To donate to the Orcas Island Historical Museum, go to www.orcasmuseum.org/about-us/donate-now/ . (The Orcas Island Historical Museum is a non-profit organization formed under the laws of the State of Washington, and is recognized by the IRS as having 501(c)(3) status. If you choose to process your Donation online, please print out your PayPal receipt to keep for your records.)

You can also contact us by phone 360-376-4849, or through the mail at P.O Box 134 Eastsound WA 98245. For more information, go to www.orcasmuseum.org .