Whidbey Institute celebrates 50 years

When Fritz and Vivienne Hull stumbled upon a dilapidated Finnish farm on South Whidbey, they sensed it would be the perfect place for people to gather and share their thoughts on the arts, the environment, spirituality and many other topics.

This “wild idea,” as it came to be called, became the driving force behind what is today known as the Whidbey Institute. Nestled on 106 acres surrounded by towering trees, the nonprofit organization focuses on transformational learning and serves as a space for retreats and educational programs for other like-minded groups. And later this year, the public can participate in a number of events commemorating the Whidbey Institute’s 50th anniversary.

In 1966, Fritz walked off the ferry and inquired about a 15-acre property in Clinton that had been a family farm in the early twentieth century. A Presbyterian minister in Seattle who worked with University of Washington students, he felt called to create something bigger with the land.

“You wandering in here on a winter day changed our lives and the lives of many people, actually, because none of this would exist at all,” Vivienne said to her husband.

But with no money, the couple wondered how they could move forward with their plans. Luckily, Fritz’s parents loaned them the cash to purchase the $7,000 farm.

And then, the fun began. Community members and friends, many of whom were also lured from the city, came to Whidbey Island to help clean up the property.

“There were many, many movements happening at the time,” Vivienne said of the 1960s. “And we’re here again, when a lot of people, just like at that time for us, feel like we’re on a certain edge and we really need to be living with the future in mind.”

The Hulls lived part-time in a little cabin with no running water or electricity with their young son, Timothy.

Timothy, who now serves as the land steward of the Whidbey Institute, recalled spending his summer days roaming about the land, following streams and climbing trees.

“My template of what adulthood meant was formed by the people who were around at the time,” he said. “I saw the adults work hard, study, be kind to each other and never lose a sense of curiosity about the world.”

His parents soon realized the work that they did on the land should be on behalf of others.

“It’s like something said, ‘You’re going to do this,’” Vivienne said. “And you can’t even really give adequate language to it at the time, but you know you can’t not. And that’s sort of what happened to us.”

In 1972, the Chinook Learning Community was born. Many well-known speakers in religion, economics and the environment were invited to talk. Authors, theologians and even a Benedictine monk were some of the guests who shared their knowledge.

“People retained strong interest in the mystery of life but for us it was never codified, it was never one set of ideas,” Fritz said. “In fact, it just sort of brimmed over into all kinds of spiritual ideas and practices that were upwelling at the time.”

Courses, classes, workshops, concerts and a whole array of programs were coming out of the interest, energy and skills of the people in the community.

But within the seriousness of the scholarly work also existed a sort of levity. Photos from those early days show young people gathered around picnic tables, huddled under blankets reading books or holding hands while standing in a circle surrounding a lone musician with an acoustic guitar.

Leaders were insistent that the Chinook Learning Community – which later became the Chinook Learning Center – did not become a commune or overtaken by hippies.

“I think part of our work was the work of discernment, to keep this place pretty well on track, that it was open and accepting and serious and somewhat disciplined, and we were educating ourselves,” Fritz said.

Another shift occurred when the founders were preparing to step down in 1991. Another group took over leadership, but Chinook Learning Center soon fell into disarray. To save the organization from poor management and mounting debt, Fritz and Vivienne stepped back on board and in 1993, it became known as the Whidbey Institute. Many famous names became associated with organization over the years, including Jane Goodall, who was invited to speak.

Published just last year, Fritz chronicles this long and winding tale in “Wild Idea: The Whidbey Institute Story.”

Now in its sixth decade, the organization is looking ahead to the next 50 years, with an emphasis on equity, youth and the environment.

A recent capital campaign successfully raised $4 million to construct new buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic for housing and other activities.

Today Hillarie Maddox and Rose Woods serve jointly as co-executive directors of the Whidbey Institute.

Maddox joined the team following a 12-year career building learning programs and communities for executive level teams in the tech, health care and retail industries.

“I found deep healing after moving to Whidbey Island from Seattle, learning to garden/homestead, and reclaiming my connection with nature,” she said. “I shared that journey of rewilding online, and that led to this opportunity to help lead this organization into a new season.”

Woods is the former founding artistic director of Island Shakespeare Festival and has an extensive background working for both professional and youth theater companies.

“We’re partnering with more groups that are doing everything from mindfulness to leadership training to the arts,” she said of the Whidbey Institute’s current programs and retreats.

Recent examples include a gathering of BIPOC – Black, Indigenous and people of color – executive directors, a cosmology conference, a youth group performing a “Winnie the Pooh” play in partnership with the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts and a retreat for therapists called Cry Camp.

But coming to the Whidbey Institute is not an exclusive opportunity.

“A lot of people, I think, don’t realize that they have access to the trails and that they’re public, and that there’s also a labyrinth too that is public access as well,” Communications Manager Nia Martin said.

A map of the extensive trail system is available on the organization’s website, whidbeyinstitute.org/visit/trail-map. Dogs, horses and bicycles must be left at home.

Donation Caretaker Cathy Buller said volunteers are needed to help rebuild the trails by adopting a section and taking care of it. There are also garden stewards and other volunteers who help set up large events at the Whidbey Institute.

Though it’s technically the 52nd year for the Whidbey Institute, half-century celebrations are happening this year because of the delay caused by COVID.

The organization’s largest fundraising gala of the year is planned for 5-10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. Fittingly titled “Wild Ideas: Then, Now, Next,” the event offers ample hors d’oeuvres, an entertaining program, enchanting evening decor and more. Overnight lodging is available at no extra cost while supplies last. Accommodations include brunch on Sunday, Sept. 8. Tickets cost $175 each, with a $25 discount until Aug. 16. If cost is a barrier, the Whidbey Institute has a limited number of free tickets.

To learn more and to register, visit whidbeyinstitute.org/events.

Other anniversary events include a neighborhood potluck at the end of September including community members who helped form the Whidbey Institute and a community festival of activities in mid-October.

Land Steward Timothy Hull, son of founders Vivienne and Fritz Hull, stands before the small cabin where he spent his childhood summers. (Photo by David Welton)

Hillarie Maddox, left, and Rose Woods are the co-executive directors of the Whidbey Institute. (Photo by David Welton)

The full staff of the Whidbey Institute. Back row, from left: Larry Rohan and Will Noble. Middle row, from left: Timothy Hull, Joe Sendek, Rose Woods, Cathy Buller and Andy Fling. First row, from left: Ben Johnston, Lety Hopper, Snow Dragonwyck, Nia Martin and Hillarie Maddox. (Photo by David Welton)