EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH KITSAP HISTORY
NOW IN ITS 23RD YEAR!
This popular program allows us to share some of the rich history of Kitsap County that we cannot share within the confines of the museum. Meet up at places of historical significance throughout the county, hear the stories and learn its history, and then follow it up with a meal at a nearby establishment. Each year features different places and different culinary experiences, see below for this year’s events.
Menu
1st Course
Olalla
Thursday, May 15
11:00 AM
$45 PER PERSON ($40 KHM MEMBERS)
*Price includes meal
On this spring day, we get to travel south to historic Olalla to witness the handiwork and creativity of author Gregg Olsen: the charming Olalla Bay Market and Museum. The author of more than thirty books, many of which recount the darker side of human nature, Gregg will share with us probably his most well-known tale, that of Starvation Heights, a sanatorium just down the road in Olalla whose notorious director advocated fasting as a means to cure maladies. Her efforts did not end well. The market, located on beautiful Olalla Bay and transformed by Gregg into a gift shop, market and restaurant, has its own sweet history. Gregg will also guide us through the small but packed museum next to the market that he created to tell the story of Olalla and Starvation Heights. In the expansive room adjacent to the museum, looking out at the bay, we’ll be treated to lunch catered by the market.
*Sponsored by: Bill & Chris Slach
2nd Course
Port Orchard
Thursday, June 19
11:00 am
$45 PER PERSON ($40 KHM MEMBERS)
*Price includes meal
Ready for an adventure that blends history, art, and local flavor? Join us for an exclusive guided tour led by board trustee Christine Stansbery and other volunteers of the Sidney Museum and Arts Association (SMAA). The exploration begins in Port Orchard’s historic 1908 Masonic Hall, home to the Sidney Art Gallery and Museum, a significant building recognized on both the Washington Heritage Register and the National Register of Historic Places. We’ll wander through second-floor exhibits that showcase the Mosquito Fleet, captivating historic photos of Sidney and early Port Orchard, and immersive vignettes depicting the labor and industry so foundational to South Kitsap County’s development. Our discovery includes the first-floor art gallery filled with the works of local artists and June’s featured talent, Amy Burnett! We’ll also take a short stroll to see what the fictional Orchard family is up to in SMAA’s charming Log Cabin Museum. A scrumptious lunch will be served in downtown Port Orchard at the popular Brick House Bar & Grill, a unique turn-of-the-20th century landmark with a fascinating past.
*Sponsored by: Susan Daniel & Gary Beanland
3rd Course
Fort Ward
Saturday, July 19
11:00 AM
$45 per person ($40 KHM Members)
*Price incluDes Meal
*Sponsored by: Nina & Darrell Hallett
4th Course
Vista Gardens
Friday, August 15th
11:00 am
$45 per person ($40 KHM Members)
*Price includes meal
Join us for a serene and inspiring afternoon at Vista Gardens, a breathtaking four-acre botanical paradise tucked into the heart of Bremerton. Founded in 1998 by John Albers and Santica Marcovina, Vista Gardens is a living example of climate-adaptive landscaping and regenerative gardening practices. During this special Eat Your Way through Kitsap History program, guests will enjoy a guided tour of the gardens, discovering thousands of plant species and cultivars thoughtfully curated to thrive in the Pacific Northwest. As we explore, we’ll reflect on the history of the land and its transformation into a model of environmental stewardship.
Following the tour, we’ll share a delicious meal while surrounded by beauty and biodiversity.
*Sponsored by: Sig & Bonnie Chrey and Rich & Taffy Satter
5th Course
Bremerton Walking Food Tour
Saturday, September 13
11:00 AM
$45 Per Person ($40 KHM Members)
*Price Includes Meal
Join us for a delicious journey through the heart of Bremerton! This Eat Your Way through Kitsap History walking food tour will take you to a selection of local eateries in Downtown Bremerton, where you’ll sample tasty bites while uncovering the stories that shaped the city. Along the way, we’ll explore the history of Bremerton from the founding of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 1891, through the explosive growth of the World War I and World War II eras, when the city was bustling with workers, servicemembers, and wartime industry.
From the people who built the ships to the boomtown energy that defined a generation, we’ll dig into the past while enjoying the present.
*Sponsored by: Bud & Teri Kirkpatrick
6th Course
Little Boston: Home of the Strong People
Thursday, October 9th
11:00 am
$45 Per person ($40 KHM Members)
*Price Includes Meal
Join us for a meaningful journey into the history and culture of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe of Little Boston. Originally known as the Nux Sklai Yem (“Strong People”), the Port Gamble S’Klallams are the descendants of the Salish people who have been well established in the Puget Sound basin and surrounding areas since 2400 B.C. Cultural Department Director Laura Price (S’Klallam) will share stories and insights into the heritage of her tribe, with a presentation that promises to be engaging, informative, and offering a deeper understanding of the Tribe’s long and impactful history. The presentation and a catered lunch will be held in the House of Knowledge Longhouse located in the heart of the reservation. It will be followed by a guided tour of the Tribe’s state-of-the-art fish hatchery with Hatchery Manager Mike Jones (S’Klallam), highlighting their commitment to sustainability and tradition. The day ends with a visit to the scenic Point Julia, a place of deep cultural and historical significance.
To find out more about the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe you can purchase the book, The Strong People: A History of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe.