Friends of Swansonville

12/20/2025

LAST CALL for Holiday wreaths this weekend! There are a few left come by and take a look!

We appreciate all the support and plan on hosting a wreath making party next year! Stay warm!!

12/16/2025

We have a new batch! If you want us to remake a style previously posted we could most likely create just send us request, happy to arrange.

Thanks for your support!

12/15/2025

Thank you to everyone who has purchased wreaths! We will make a few more and have them up tomorrow!

12/13/2025

‘Tis the season to support local history! 🎄 You can deck your halls with beautiful, fresh wreaths and garland while helping us save the Swansonville Community Church building.

Built in 1904 from scraps of the local lumber mill, this little church is the oldest building in Port Ludlow. We’re on a mission to restore it as a historic gallery, community center, and intimate music venue.

✨ HOW IT WORKS ✨

📍 Visit: Swing by the historic church.

🎄 Choose: Pick out the perfect wreath or garland from our display.

📱 Scan & Pay: Use your phone to scan the QR code and pay securely via PayPal.

❤️ Enjoy: Take home your festive greenery, knowing your purchase funds vital restoration!

It’s that simple. Your support preserves a priceless piece of our community’s heritage for generations to come.

Can’t make it in person but want to contribute? Explore local histories and find a direct donation link on our website:

👉 www.friendsofswansonville.com

12/08/2025

Take a moment to watch this clip from Port Ludlow in 2019. It was taken at a pivotal time, just after our community came together to save the dilapidated Swansonville church building from being lost forever.

These people are the soul of Swansonville. They are the original kids who grew up attending this very church. Here, they're singing a modified version of the hymn "Church on the Hill," changing the lyrics to "Church in Swansonville," just as they did in Sunday school decades ago.

Look closely at the building behind them—the steeple was leaning, the roof, walls, and windows were full of holes. Now, look how far we’ve come! This short song is a powerful reminder of why we fought so hard to restore and rehabilitate this irreplaceable piece of our community & heritage.

We cherish this clip, especially as we remember those we've lost:

- In the yellow shirt: Sam Swanson
- Next to him: Donald Swanson
- In the black shirt with white collar: Myron Swanson

And we are incredibly blessed to still have with us, in the chair with the cane, Ken Swanson, who will turn 96 this Christmas. Ken was born in 1931—the very same year the Swansonville church got electricity for the first time! (Fun fact: the church still has no plumbing, and never has.)

His birth year was a milestone: while his mother welcomed a new electric appliance that revolutionized her housekeeping in Port Gamble, our little church here in Swansonville was also buzzing with new light for the very first time.

This clip is more than a memory; it's our origin story. It’s the reason why the Port Ludlow and local community works, donates, and volunteers. We do this to ensure this place—a community gathering spot, a historic gallery, and a home for music and creative expression—stands strong for generations to come, forever holding these voices and memories.

10/06/2025

The awning is now finished! The underside represents the original construction of cedar shingles and open framing complimenting its historical nature. It’s secure and reinforced to the building protecting our new entry wood doors. We hope everyone who drives by enjoys the new view.

09/22/2025

Dry fit the new double doors! We have some work to do still but look at how gorgeous they compliment the entry. These doors are replicas of originals found rotting under the church. Thank you to whomever saved them so that we had guidance to re-create!! Please check out our website at www.friendsofswansonville.com to help support our ongoing restoration of this historic landmark

09/21/2025

Rebuilding the original awning. It was too far gone to save but have used it as a template to construct a new one…

08/22/2025

BIG update! We have a painted bell tower! Local volunteers have been busy this August painting the exterior and and installing our restored windows. The front porch is in progress and new replica doors are being finished and will be installed shortly, skirting material is being stalled and sealed and so many other little things! This grassroots group of community members continues to show up supporting in amazing ways of donations, time, knowledge and most of all joy!! Thank you everyone who has gotten us this far. This winter we will continue moving forward as we see this project to completion. , Please check our website for more information, we look forward to more photos of Bell Tower Completion! www.friendsofswansonville.org (last photo is from the 1930’s on a winter day sent to us from the Johnson family) we always appreciate discovering old photos of the church if anyone has any to share!

08/21/2025

08/09/2025

Hi everyone! We’re excited to share a key piece of Swansonville’s history from our online digital museum. The 1850-1900 era marks the start of Port Ludlow’s industrial era, a transformative time that shaped our community. Dive into the stories of early settlers and pivotal moments on our history timeline!

Visit: https://www.friendsofswansonville.org/1850-1900

The Industrial Boom:1850 - 1900 History & Timeline Explore Era:Pre - 18001800 - 18501850 - 19001900 - 19501950 - 2000   In 1852, Sayward and Thorndyke embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor, constructing the first steam-driven sawmill and establishing the first mill town on Puget Sound. Port Ludlow,...