Bison Skull Replica Stolen in Museum Break-in

— by Orcas Issues staff–

This replica of the Bison Antiquus, skull retrieved on Orcas Island, was one of the items stolen from the Orcas Island Historical Museum in Eastsound. Please call the Sheriff’s office with any information.

Thieves broke in to the Orcas Island Historical Museum earlier this week and stole a number of items, including the replica of the Bison Antiquus skull.

Historical Society Board Member Michele Wiley said on Thursday, Oct. 16, “The Museum staff is going through the archives to see what is missing.

“It’s crazy, the more you walk through the exhibits, the more you see is missing.

“We’ll be posting a reward for information about the robbery and the missing items, so that people won’t trade or buy the stolen items, and so they can report information to the Sheriff’s office.” [378-4357 anonymous tip line].

UPDATE: Statement from Museum —

Orcas Island Historical Museum Victim of Theft

We are very sad to report that this past weekend a number of items were stolen from the Orcas Island Historical. The Sheriff Department was contacted as soon as the theft was discovered. We are still in the process of putting together a complete list of missing items. A few of the items that we know were taken were, a replica of the Bison Antiquus skull that was discovered here on orcas in 2003, a Tlingkit Buckskin, a number of merchandise items from our gift shop and cash. The historic items are important pieces of our islands unique history, and they are desperately wanted back.

Thanks to the generosity of a number of locals we are prepared the offer a reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft.  If anyone has any information about the theft of these items or their whereabouts please contact the Sheriff’s Department at 360-378-4151.