October Newsletter

RAISE A PADDLE FOR THE KITSAP HISTORY MUSEUM

Our online Virtual Fundraising Auction begins October 10! Bid on a collection of fine art, custom made goods, beautiful antiques, unique experiences and more. You will find treasures at every price point.

Click the image below for a sneak peek of this year’s offerings!

From the Archives

We had a request come in from a business owner on Callow for an old photo of his shop. Found one from the early 1940’s! Tattoo Technique, 334 Callow, was once the National Bank of Washington.

Comments from the Community:

“One of the shops along that stretch was a shoe store that my mother in law worked at in the early 50’s.”

“Inside the building there is a part with a low ceiling and raised sections(about 2′ high) on each side. I was told that when it was the shoe store those were outdoor window displays and that part of it was a covered outdoor area. You can still see the seams where the windows used to be. Really curious as to what it looked like then.”

“The brick building to the right of the bank today still maintains much of the same look. The pink tattoo shop (334 Callow) looks different. Entry is recessed. Perhaps a façade was added to cover the original front of the bank building. However, it looks like the old bones still might be there.”

October is Filipino American History Month

Our October lobby exhibit will honor Kitsap’s substantial Filipino American history. The exhibit will open for First Friday Art Walk on October 7th, at 5pm. Learn about some of Kitsap’s Filipino American communities, how Filipinos traveled to what is now California in 1587, and why Filipinos came to the United States as American Nationals in the early 20^th century. 

October’s History UnCorked: Erland’s Point Murders

For all you true crime fans out there, Bremerton made worldwide news for a massacre. March 28, 1934, six people were brutally murdered at Erland’s Point on the outskirts of Bremerton. Was it a robbery gone wrong? Was it a hired hit? Did mobster “Baby Face” Nelson have anything to do with it? Some say drugs and gambling were the cause. One man hung for the crimes and another went free. Even though it was 88 years ago, people are still intrigued by this gruesome local story.

Join us October 20th at 7pm, for the next installment of History UnCorked and hear local Bremertonian, Deena Taylor, tell this tale of murder, mayhem and mystery as featured on her podcast Bremelore. We’ll have crime scene photos, items from the era – and to really set the mood, we encourage you to dress in 1930’s attire. So break out those flapper dresses and tweed suits and come on down to the Kitsap History Museum and enjoy some wine, snacks and MURDER!

Join us for our LAST Eat Your Way event of 2022!

LOGGERS BREAKFAST AT SEABECK

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25

9:00AM

$40 PER PERSON ($35 KHM MEMBERS)

   *PRICE INCLUDES MEAL

Loggers in nineteenth century lumber camps were essential to the success of the camp operation. The camp cook played a key role in keeping the loggers in good spirits and fueled up for their arduous working days. The men had enormous appetites, consuming an average of 8000 calories a day in order to sustain themselves as they worked 10-hour+ shifts in rough terrain in the forests. We may not need quite that many calories on this October morning, but we hope you will join us for our own hearty lumberman’s breakfast in the dining room that dates back to 1869 at the rustic Seabeck Conference Center. Executive Director Chuck Kraining will share his extensive knowledge of this historic site and the lifestyle it offered when the Washington Mill Company, a thriving lumber mill and shipbuilding center had Seabeck humming in the late 1880’s.

SPONSORED BY: CAROLYN MCCLURKAN

Our very own, Jeff Coughlin, gave a fascinating talk on the 1918 housing boom for September’s History UnCorked: Building Bremerton

Due to a shortage in housing for shipyard workers and other war industry workers during World War I, the United States Government embarked upon an unprecedented experiment – the planning and construction of neighborhoods and housing for American workers and their families. Within a period of two years over 83 new housing projects in 26 States were designed, planned and had commenced construction – Bremerton being one of them.

We had a lovely time learning Olalla’s history last Sunday!

Special thanks to Marty Kellogg for showing us around the Olalla Community Club, JoAnn Forstrom for sharing their lived history in Olalla over the decades and Joe Serka for sharing the history of starting the winery.

Olalla concluded with wine tasting at the beautiful Olalla Vineyard & Winery. We tasted some great wines as Mary Ellen shared the history of the their winery and winemaking. Such a great day exploring and learning about Olalla.

Spotlight on Jeanine Greco

I’ve been the museum’s curator for a little over 7 years. I love being in a role that enables me to learn something daily and have a positive impact on our communities. The role also ignites my justice-driven nature. I love connecting with the people, communities, and groups in Kitsap County who are underrepresented in general understanding of local history. History is made of stories. Offering a space where all stories are told is vital to a historical narrative that truly represents all of Kitsap.

I don’t think I can choose a favorite, we have so many incredible stories and artifacts to consider! One story very near to my heart is the Indipino Community of Bainbridge Island. It was an honor and a privilege to build relationships with community elders and learn about their history and continued impact on Kitsap County.  

Photo: March 2019 opening of Beyond Borders: The Indipino Community of Bainbridge Island