Port Townsend will be buzzing the first weekend of April with lots of seasonal openings happening in the Port Townsend historic business districts. One of the most anticipated is the grand re-opening of Jefferson County Historical Society's Newly Imagined Museum of Art + History on Saturday, April 4 from 11am-7pm and Sunday and April 5 from 11am - 4pm with free admission both days.
The museum, located at 540 Water Street in the historic City Hall, has been undergoing renovations to make the space more accessible and over the winter the JCHS team has been busy curating new exhibits designed to welcome visitors of all ages. On Saturday when the museum re-opens to the public visitors can experience all new Home themed exhibits and More Love by local artist Martha Worthley. Visitors will be able to explore the history of the region better understanding a sense of place and belonging in Jefferson County.
“This museum belongs to the community. The new exhibits explore what ‘home’ means across cultures, generations, and experiences, and we hope visitors will see their own stories reflected here,” according to JCHS.
The museum also features a new children's play space with hands-on learning for the whole family. Sunday's event is geared towards families and will feature a spring scavenger hunt.
“I’m incredibly excited about so many aspects of the new museum, from more accessible spaces to areas thoughtfully designed for youth, and I’m thrilled about the new research, objects, and community stories we’re able to share," said JCHS Executive Director Tara McCauley. "But more than anything, I’m most excited to see and hear how our community responds. This has been a long time in the making, shaped by so many people along the way, and ultimately, it’s for the community. What matters most to me is that the museum becomes a resource the community loves - a place people feel proud of, feel seen, and feel that it’s a meaningful and essential part of the fabric of this place.”
JCHS is working to create a space where the history of Jefferson County is preserved, but also a space where our place based community stories continue to be told.
After this weekend, regular museum hours will be Thursday - Sunday, 11AM - 4PM. More information can be found at jchsmuseum.org