About the Harbor History Museum ~ Gig Harbor, Wash.

With your investment in the new Harbor History Museum we will preserve our area’s history while creating the first—and only—major cultural facility in Gig Harbor.

Indeed, Gig Harbor will be home to the premier cultural facility on the Kitsap Peninsula.

To purchase the property, make renovations, and create compelling exhibits, we have established a budget of
$11.1 million. As of May 2009, we are more than 80% there!

The members of the Historical Society board and staff have each made significant gifts in support of the New Place In Time capital campaign. In many cases, these are the largest gifts they have ever made. Their combined contributions total over $1.5 million.

It will take the support of the entire community to make the Harbor History Museum a reality.

Your return on investment will be substantial.

The new Harbor History Museum will:

Showcase the rich heritage of the Gig Harbor Peninsula through compelling exhibits.
Provide hands-on activities and interactive experiences
to bring history alive by inviting visitors to:

Work alongside a master boatwright to restore the 65-foot purse seiner Shenandoah to its former glory.

Experience a day at a pioneer school, including lessons, recess, and lunchtime.

Educate our community about the pioneers, businesspeople, and families who made Gig Harbor
the vibrant community that it is today through hands-on learning opportunities, lectures, and workshops.
Invigorate the economy of downtown Gig Harbor by serving as an economic development and tourism driver for downtown Gig Harbor and the Kitsap Peninsula. Gig Harbor businesses increasingly rely on tourists for their livelihood, and the new Harbor History Museum will provide an important new tourism anchor for our community.
Create a community gathering space in the heart of the harbor that long-time residents, new families, retirees, and children can equally call their own with a Research Library and meeting room that will satisfy a variety of museum and community needs.
Protect valuable artifacts with the introduction of American Association of Museum-quality HVAC systems that will provide a temperature and humidity controlled environment. A controlled environment along with superior storage and classification systems will protect artifacts while providing public access.