The bay was originally named "Port Townshend" by Captain George Vancouver in 1792, for his friend the Marquis of Townshend. At the beginning of each month, we send an email of Port Townsend's "Don't Miss" events. Weather Underground provides local & long-range weather forecasts, weatherreports, maps & tropical weather conditions for the Port Townsend area. Sophia Elan will show how to mix festive cocktails, and Heron Scott will build gingerbread Rothschild Houses. At a time when the transportation of nearly all people and goods in the Pacific Northwest depended upon sea travel, Port Townsend was the hub. Walk or cycle the newly established Chetzemoka Trail, beginning at Chetzemoka Park and connecting many points of tribal, geographic and historic interest spanning 3-mile and 6-mile loops on a 12-mile route around the city and through Fort Worden. It was soon changed to the Rothschild and Co. Mercantile, selling varied merchandise. In 1889, Mr. Bishop retired to Port Townsend, where he became a leading Port Townsend builder, including the erection of the Bishop Block building. Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 250 Madison Street Port Townsend  WA 98368   Phone (360) 385-3000, COVID-19: Offices & Facilities Closed to the Public with Limited Services (Updated 11/16/2020), Security Training Exercise Scheduled at Indian Island on January 14, 2021, From NAS Whidbey Island - Field Carrier Landing Practice Schedule at the NAS Whidbey Island Complex for Week of Jan. 11-17, 2021. www.tribalmuseum.jamestowntribe.org/hsg/chetzemoka_trail.php. At its height in 1889, the company employed around 250 people. Explore the Jefferson Museum of Art & History, 540 Water Street, 360.385.1003, www.jchsmuseum.org, located in the 1892 historic City Hall where you’ll learn about the town’s history. Every vessel entering Puget Sound from any foreign port had to make its first stop at Port Townsend. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Port Townsend: An Illustrated History of Shanghaiing, Shipwrecks, Soiled Doves and Sundry Souls. The Commanding Officer’s Quarters Museum, located on the parade grounds at Fort Worden, was built in 1904 overlooking Admiralty Inlet. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. Geographically isolated at the tip of the Quimper Peninsula on the Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend is surrounded on three sides by bodies of water. We are proud of our extensive history and hope to continue growing with our community for many years to come. Our colorful town has many tales to tell—of shipwrecks, shanghaiing, lost loves, unexplained events and a haunted past that is felt even today. Like many young communities in the Puget Sound, Port Townsend aspired to greatness. The Coast Artillery Museum, 200 Battery Way, 360.385.0373, www.coastartillery.org, is across the parade grounds at Fort Worden and located in one of the original 1904 Barracks. Hours: Learn about Port Townsend’s fascinating history by visiting our museums, taking a self-guided walking or driving tour with our map of historic buildings and following the newly established Chetzemoka Trail. Visit the Port Townsend Aero Museum, 105 Airport Road, 360.379.5244, www.ptaeromuseum.com, and see over 30 rare and antique aircraft specimens are available for public viewing and more than 60% are regularly flown. The Puget Sound Customs Collection District was moved to Port Townsend in 1854, just three years after the town was founded. The free program will stream live on Zoom. (360) 379-5048, Address: Library Grab Bag. Be Open to the World of the Unknown at HAUNTED HISTORIES & MYSTERIES OF PORT TOWNSEND. But a closer look reveals a hidden history. Port Townsend's Decline But when the Northern Pacific Railroad did not connect the budding city to the city of Tacoma in the 1890s, the area's population began to decline sharply. like the Fashion Show, High Tea, Building Tours and the Grand Ball. A separate shopping district was developed uptown, along with lovely churches, schools, hospitals and parks. Pick up a passport for admission to this museum, the Rothschild House and the Commanding Officer’s Quarters. iMap is a trip planner right at your fingertips. Each March, Port Townsend’s Victorian Festival embraces new events, old favorites, and even more opportunities to experience a way of life that was. by Thomas Warner Camfield and B/w Illustrations | Jan 1, 2000. It was immediately recognized as a good safe harbor, although strong south winds and poor holding ground often make small-craft anchorage problematic off the town's waterfront. The Jefferson Museum of Art & History is closed until further notice for COVID-19 public safety, per the Governor of the State of Washington. The original Port Townsend Foundry was established in 1883. Paperback City of Dreams: A Guide to Port Townsend Washington. 5.0 out of 5 stars 2. Here you’ll learn about the history of Fort Worden, discover why the batteries were built and the coast artillery’s harbor defense of Puget Sound. For more history about Port Townsend visit Jefferson County Historical Society, *Photos below provided by Jefferson County Historical Society -  JCHS Photo Collection, Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow, Heidi GreenwoodCity Attorney In the days of sailing ships, Port Townsend's strategic location at the entrance to Puget Sound provided an edge over other contenders further into the placid waters of Puget Sound. Many ship captains also built beautiful homes uptown, thus contributing to the gentrification of the community. Join the Brass Screw Confederacy! Take a look at our timeline to learn more about where we’ve been and where we’re headed. History of Port Townsend Foundry. The Port of Port Townsend was established under the Washington State laws of 1911 by election on November 4, 1924. Learn about the beautiful Victorian architecture of Port Townsend and enjoy favorites like the Fashion Show, High Tea, Building Tours and the Grand Ball. Finish up with a visit to the JCGS Research Center in the afternoon. The orchestra was composed of 46 performers being directed by Michael-Ann … History of Port Townsend. https://www.brassscrew.org/, Day One – Tour Coast Artillery Museum + lunch at Reveille or Taps at the Guardhouse + hike the trails around Fort Worden, exploring the batteries and bunkers, Day Two – Visit the Commanding Officer’s Quarters Museum + a summer lunch at the Cablehouse Canteen on the beach + tour the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Day One – Visit the Jefferson County Museum of Art and History + have lunch at Sirens Pub on the waterfront + go on a self-guided walking tour of the historic districts, ending at the Rothschild House, Day Two – Pick up items for a picnic at Aldrich’s Market, 940 Lawrence Street, 360.385.0500, www.aldrichs.com, follow the Chetzemoka Trail + have a picnic lunch at Chetzemoka Park + check out the totem pole and cedar canoe at the Northwest Maritime Center. Port Townsend was known as the "City of Dreams" because of the early speculation that the city would be the largest harbor on the west coast. The Palace Hotel. Although Port Townsend is known as a Victorian seaport, with two National Historic Landmark Districts, its historic roots date back centuries before when the S’Klallam tribe called the area home. The Port Townsend Paper Mill – Past, Present, and Future . After the turn of the century, Port Townsend regained some momentum with the opening of Fort Worden as a military outpost. The Port Townsend Paper mill has been in continuous operation for over 85 years. Thanks to City of Port Townsend Tourism! Things to Do in Port Townsend, Washington: See Tripadvisor's 5,463 traveler reviews and photos of Port Townsend tourist attractions. Plan your trip and start exploring what Jefferson County has to offer! A weeked of Victoriana mixed with science, invention, and a great deal of fun. Built in 1856, Fort Townsend operated as a U.S. Army site on and off until a fire destroyed its barracks in 1895. PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Historical Society will host “Holiday History Happy Hour” at 5 p.m. Friday. All of our other interpretive sites, including the Research Center and Historic Houses are also closed to the public until further notice. Port Townsend restaurants soldiered on, serving workers at the artillery fortifications developed at Fort Worden, and a paper mill opened on the edge of town in the 1920s. We have reviews of the best places to see in Port Townsend. Each June, experience the Pacific Northwest’s immersive Steampunk Festival set in Port Townsend. The map links to local businesses and activities in the area, features an easy to use itinerary planner which is sharable on social media, it has a calendar of local events when safe & healthy events can once again be scheduled, and showcases popular trail maps. He was the first farmer in the area to grow hops. Port Townsend History. https://www.brassscrew.org/, Join the Brass Screw Confederacy! In the days of sailing ships, Port Townsend's strategic location at the entrance to Puget Sound provided an edge over other contenders further into the placid waters of Puget Sound. Posted: Agenda and Meeting Materials for Jan. 13 Public Workshop & Meeting Ernest Studerus, a well-known citizen at the time, served as brewmaster. Maritime-related enterprises fueled a flourishing economy, providing ready wealth and shaping the character of this ambitious town. Once a gritty, hard-drinking town where you were just as likely to be shanghaied as not, to what is now one of the nicest small towns in Washington, Port Townsend was important to the development of the … The first concert of the Port Townsend Community Orchestra was during the Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival on May 14, 1987, at the Fort Worden Theater. Located on the waterfront in downtown Port Townsend, Washington, it manufactured street cars, steam engines, and hardware for all of the local Victorian mansions. History. In the heart of historic Port Townsend, where Victorian buildings stand stately along Water Street, there is one such building with its own colorful past. 6), according to Forbes Magazine. Each June, experience the Pacific Northwest’s immersive Steampunk Festival set in Port Townsend. O'Rear. Be sure to watch the award-winning “We Came with Dreams” video! Port Townsend History Port Townsend's history extends long before settlers would come to call this area Port Townsend Bay. Twisted History Tours began operating in Port Townsend in 2012 as a pedal taxi. Fort Worden Historical State Park is located in Port Townsend, Washington, on 433 acres (175 ha) originally known as Fort Worden, a United States Army Coast Artillery Corps base constructed to protect Puget Sound from invasion by sea. It was capitalized at $25,000 and established September 5, 1905 by George Watkins, Michael Hartman and N.W. Geographically isolated at the tip of the Quimper Peninsula on the Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend is surrounded on three sides by bodies of water. Drop in for maps, brochures, ferry reservations, customized itineraries and great Information from our local experts. Although Port Townsend is known as a Victorian seaport, with two National Historic Landmark Districts, its historic roots date back centuries before when the S’Klallam tribe called the area home. A weekend of Victoriana mixed with science, invention, and a great deal of fun. This was a safe harbor and an ideal place to build businesses that involved shipping or receiving goods. One of America's Top 10 Small Towns (Actually No. By the early 1880s, this small outpost was on the verge of becoming a great city. Port Townsend Weather Forecasts. The Victorian Seaport of Port Townsend, WA was founded in 1851. In 1878, when Port Townsend became the first incorporated city in Jefferson County, its citizens elected Eisenbeis as the first mayor. The Port of Port Townsend Serving all of Jefferson County, the Port of Port Townsend is your destination of choice for world-class marine trades, recreation, & economic opportunity. After traveling extensively around the world and engaging in several business enterprises, he settled in Port Townsend in 1858 and began a business under the name of "Kentucky Store." This year’s event has been postponed until October 29-31, 2021. Late Victorian and Edwardian furnishings provide a unique glimpse into the life of a senior Army officer and his family during the first decade of the 20th century. The original Port Townsend Brewing Company was one of the largest and longest operating breweries of its time. Many shipmasters made Port Townsend their home port and the movements of their vessels were followed with great interest. Check out the Jefferson County Genealogical Society (JCGS) Research Center, 13692 Highway 19 (Airport Cutoff Road), 360.385.9495, www.wajcgs.org/research-center/, where the JCGS library and collections are housed as well as archives and vast collections of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Tour the downtown museums in the morning: Then make your way to Fort Worden for lunch at either of the Fort’s two eateries: Then tour the Fort’s fascinating historical and natural museums: Visit the Port Townsend Aero Museum in the morning, with lunch at the Jefferson International Airport’s Spruce Goose Café – where you can sit outside and enjoy a burger while watching planes soar into the air. Our support comes in many forms – money, services, vehicles, and of course the many hundreds of hours of time that our volunteers give freely every year. Zillow has 3 homes for sale in Port Townsend WA matching Historic Port Townsend. The house has been left intact from when the family donated it to Washington State Parks. The Port Townsend Aero Museum is a non-profit organization that is publicly owned and supported by our local community. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. In 1851 the first permanent non-Native settlers on S'Klallam land came ashore at Port Townsend on the Quimper Peninsula, an appendage at the northeastern corner of the Olympic Peninsula that is separated from the main peninsula by Discovery Bay. 250 Madison Street, Suite 2, Port Townsend, WA 98368. The port district includes all of Jefferson County and continues to operate as a municipal corporation under Title 53 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Learn about Port Townsend’s fascinating history by visiting our museums, taking a self-guided walking or driving tour with our map of historic buildings and following the newly established Chetzemoka Trail. Calling itself the “Key City” and the “New York of the West,” Port Townsend quickly became a bustling seaport and customs gateway to the Pacific Northwest, with an impressive waterfront commercial district of stone and brick buildings and many elegant Victorian homes on the bluff above. www.tribalmuseum.jamestowntribe.org/hsg/chetzemoka_trail.php. Curbside Services The Port Townsend Marine Science Center (hours of operation vary seasonally), 532 Battery Way, Fort Worden, 360.385.5582, www.ptmsc.org, is dedicated to inspiring conservation of the Salish Sea (Puget Sound) and operates an aquarium with touch tanks as well as an interactive museum with natural history information. Mr. Bishop established a cheese and dairy business and sold his produce in Port Townsend, making the day-long trip by horse and wagon. Located at 2409 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend. When Port Townsend (originally "Townshend") Bay was named in 1792 by British Captain George Vancouver (1757-1798), the area around today's Port Townsend was occupied primarily by members of the Klallam (or S'Klallam) Tribe, who called the spot Kah Tai. The small camping park south of Port Townsend is unique among Washington's coastal forts because it has all but returned to nature. In keeping with his status in the community, Eisenbeis built what was the largest private residence ever built in Port Townsend, consisting of 30 rooms. The čičməhán Trail (Cheech-ma-han) Trail is comprised of 18 sites throughout the city of Port Townsend, Washington, that naturally divide into 3-mile, 6-mile, or 12-mile loops. Shelly Leavens and … It opened in 1902 … The Rothschild House (summer only), on the corner of Franklin and Taylor Streets, was built in 1868 and is virtually unchanged from over a hundred years ago. 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