Historical Society reaches milestone

Published 7:00 pm Wednesday, June 7, 2006

POULSBO — Just because the Poulsbo Historical Society has been keeping a low profile lately, doesn’t mean that it’s afraid to make a splash in Little Norway.

For the past few months, society members have quietly been laying the groundwork for a steady stream of activity, said PHS curator Erica Varga. Part of that effort is being driven by a group of University of Washington museology graduate students, said Varga, who is teaching the class, which focuses on strategic planning and exhibit preparation and display.

“They’ve developed a strategic plan, which we are going to use and it shows how we could expand over the next 30 years,” she said.

The plan also includes an operating budget and a space needs assessment for the proposed historical museum, she said.

“This is all something we can use in the design of our building,” Varga said.

The students have also developed exhibits using materials found in the society’s archives and holdings, she said, adding, “These are all exhibits that are ready to go now and we just need a space to present them.”

Through the duration of the class, the students have developed a strong affection and appreciation for Poulsbo, and Varga said she couldn’t be more proud of the work they have produced.

While the UW students have earned college credit for their efforts, three North Kitsap High School sophomores have continued spending their Wednesday afternoons at city hall in the society’s archives.

The trio of Sophie Bonami, Elizabeth Nodolf and Kendall Jennings has been busy preparing displays for the Martinson Cabin at Nelson Park, Varga said.

“They look forward to Wednesday afternoons, and I’ve never had students like this before,” she said.

The students have worked with longtime society members Earl Hanson and Muriel Williams and are examples of how the generational gap is being bridged, Varga said.

Society members have also begun to place plaques on many of the historical buildings in downtown, explaining what each building was originally, she said.

There is also a 10-person oral history committee, which is interviewing as many longtime area residents as possible, so that their memories will be a lasting part of the city’s history, she said.

“We’ve got a lot of things happening, they’re just not very visible yet,” Varga said.