Kitsap County Historical Society

The Kitsap History Museum stewards a collection of more than 100,000 photographs 40,000 artifacts and textiles and extensive archival materials including documents books maps records and oral histories. In 2025 in addition to maintaining permanent exhibits such as the Kitsap History Timeline and Main Street a recreated early 1900s commercial block the museum displayed three major temporary exhibitions. Her Work Our Story celebrated the contributions of Kitsap County women who challenged gender norms and shaped local history. Trade of the Northwest Coast explored Indigenous trade practices and the Chinook Jargon a trade language that connected cultures for centuries. 80 Years of Community Connection & Change, developed in collaboration with Kitsap Regional Library featured an immersive timeline of the library systems eight-decade history a vintage card catalog favorite checkouts from each decade and a playable Oregon Trail game. The museum also operated its Rural Heritage exhibits on farming fishing and logging at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds during the annual county fair. Online exhibits including recorded oral histories features on Filipino Americans and Black Trailblazers and highlights on 1960s fashion the Mosquito Fleet and local neighborhoods continued to expand access to the collection virtually.

In 2025 the Kitsap History Museum offered a variety of programs and events designed to engage the community and bring local history to life. Our popular spring and summer series Eat Your Way Through Kitsap History, combined guided outings to historic sites with group meals at local restaurants blending education with community connection. We continued our History Uncorked speaker series which featured presentations on local topics such as the history of our local newspapers libraries state parks theatres search and rescue waste and water systems geology and local mythology - each event included free refreshments and drew diverse audiences. The museum also participated in recurring community events including the First Friday Art Walks Winterfest Krampusfest the Armed Forces Day Parade and Safe Trick-or-Treat. We hosted a special talk on local botanical history and our annual fundraising gala Celebrate Kitsap, capped the year with a celebration of local heritage and support.