Jefferson County Historical Society

Jefferson County Historical Society The Museum of Art + History and the Rothschild House are open for the season!

JCHS serves residents and visitors across Jefferson County, WA with arts and heritage experiences through programs, exhibitions, research, and more. JCHS Mission: Through collections, research, exhibits, and programs, we bring people together to share, learn, and be inspired by Jefferson County arts and heritage.

New books at the museum shop! 🌸🐝Along with the grand reopening of our Museum of Art + History, we’ve refreshed our books...
05/29/2026

New books at the museum shop! 🌸🐝

Along with the grand reopening of our Museum of Art + History, we’ve refreshed our bookstore with a thoughtfully curated selection of books and gifts inspired by our region.
Featured here are a few favorites from our nature section, including local foraging guides for mushrooms, seaweed, and other plants, and wildflower identification cards.

We also feature books on local Indigenous history, regional industries, artists, memoirs, hiking, and much more — plus a children’s section!

Come explore our updated shop Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM–4 PM.

• What’s the deal with the old “cracker factory” ad?• Who painted the fading historic advertisements still visible aroun...
05/26/2026

• What’s the deal with the old “cracker factory” ad?
• Who painted the fading historic advertisements still visible around downtown?
• What do these “ghost murals” reveal about Port Townsend’s dramatic boom and bust in the late 19th century?

Offered on just three dates in June, this unique walking tour highlights a selection of these visual artifacts within their cultural and historical context. Visit the ticket link below for more details and to reserve your spot!

https://www.simpletix.com/e/vanishing-murals-of-port-townsend-walking-tickets-268691

Did you know that Port Williams was once home to its own post office, hotel, and bustling wharf? What is now a quiet cou...
05/23/2026

Did you know that Port Williams was once home to its own post office, hotel, and bustling wharf? What is now a quiet county park and boat ramp was once a lively center of commerce for east Clallam County.

Join us for a historical beach walk as we peel back the layers of this landscape, uncovering the stories, people, and transformations that shaped it over time. Led by North Olympic History Center director David Brownell, we’ll explore how this shoreline evolved from a busy hub of activity into the peaceful place many know today. Pre-registration required. More info + tickets at:
https://www.simpletix.com/e/history-hike-marlyn-nelson-county-park-por-tickets-270258

In addition to this hike, we’re offering two more:

• Saturday, July 18 — qatáy prairie and lagoon
• Saturday, September 19 — Dungeness and 3 Crabs

More info at https://jchsmuseum.simpletix.com/

One ticket, two museums!Thursday through Saturday, admission to the Museum of Art + History also includes same-day entry...
05/22/2026

One ticket, two museums!

Thursday through Saturday, admission to the Museum of Art + History also includes same-day entry to the historic Rothschild House.

Check out our brand-new exhibits at the newly reimagined museum, then head uptown to the 1868 Rothschild House for an immersive glimpse into one family’s daily life over 90 years.

Learn more about both sites at jchsmuseum.org.

Are you a JCHS Member? Drop in to our annual Member Meeting on May 27th to connect with fellow members and hear what's h...
05/18/2026

Are you a JCHS Member? Drop in to our annual Member Meeting on May 27th to connect with fellow members and hear what's happening now and what's coming next at JCHS.

We will also have informal stations set up throughout the museum, including:

- Collections Table: spotlighting select objects and stories from the Rothschild House
- Programs Table: learn about upcoming tours and programs
- Director's Table: connect with leadership and learn what your membership makes possible

JCHS memberships support access and preservation of 500,000+ collections items; ongoing research into Jefferson County’s history; and exhibitions and programs that serve thousands every year. Want to learn more about JCHS membership? Visit https://www.jchsmuseum.org/membership

Heads up! We’ll be closing the Museum of Art + History at 1PM on Saturday, May 16 in honor of the Rhody Parade. The Roth...
05/15/2026

Heads up! We’ll be closing the Museum of Art + History at 1PM on Saturday, May 16 in honor of the Rhody Parade.

The Rothschild House will remain open 11AM–4PM as usual.

Want to see more moments from past Rhododendron Festivals? Search our online collections: https://cdm16785.contentdm.oclc.org/

Ninety years ago, the first Rhododendron Festival Queen was Myrtle Olson, pictured here.Want to see more historic Rhody ...
05/14/2026

Ninety years ago, the first Rhododendron Festival Queen was Myrtle Olson, pictured here.

Want to see more historic Rhody Festival photos? Visit our online collections and use the search bar to explore: https://cdm16785.contentdm.oclc.org/

And a quick heads-up: the Museum of Art + History will close at 1 PM this Saturday, May 16, in honor of the Rhody Parade.

Happy Rhododendron Festival, everyone! 🌸

Come see us! The Museum of Art + History is open today, 11AM–4PM.Explore new history exhibits centered on the theme of “...
05/10/2026

Come see us! The Museum of Art + History is open today, 11AM–4PM.

Explore new history exhibits centered on the theme of “Home,” learn about the historic City Hall building itself, experience Martha Worthley’s exhibition "More Love," and browse the book shop. Have kiddos in your life? Check out new children’s area!

Learn more about JCHS and the Museum of Art + History at jchsmuseum.org.

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Make it a double feature of local art + history!The Museum of Art + History and the Rothschild House are both open this...
05/08/2026

Make it a double feature of local art + history!

The Museum of Art + History and the Rothschild House are both open this weekend, and your ticket to one gets you into the other. Thursday-Saturday, 11AM to 4PM.

Visit jchsmuseum.org to learn more about each site.


May 2nd is Free First Saturday at the Museum of Art + History and the Rothschild House! Enjoy free admission at both si...
05/02/2026

May 2nd is Free First Saturday at the Museum of Art + History and the Rothschild House! Enjoy free admission at both sites all day long.

Today’s hours:
• The Rothschild House: 11AM to 4PM
• Museum of Art + History: 11AM to 7PM

Huge thanks to our sponsors: Velocity Coffee and Shold Excavating, Inc. – Cotton Redi-Mix

Learn more about our sites, programs, and collections at jchsmuseum.org.

Address

540 Water Street
Port Townsend, WA
98368

Opening Hours

Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+13603851003

Website

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