Museums can’t always be about white gloves, fragile artifacts, and yesterday’s news.
Every once in a while you have to shake off the dust and that’s just what members of the Island County Historical Society plan to do next week when they convene at the Coupeville Recreation Hall for a ‘60s and ‘70s style boogie.
“Bring your daisy shirts and bell-bottoms,” laughed Rick Castellano, executive director of the historical society.
The dance-hall hoedown is a first for the nonprofit group, which runs the museum in Coupeville. While it’s hoped that the event will garner interest from a younger demographic, namely those between the ages of 35 to 55, it is first and foremost a fundraiser.
The historical society was formed in 1949, and after 62 years has fallen on hard times. Things aren’t so desperate that the board of directors can’t afford to keep the lights on – they are usually off anyway to preserve old photographs – but the recession has hit the museum hard, Castellano said.
The museum relies on a wide variety of funding, from admissions and sales in its gift shop to limited funding from Coupeville and Island County government. Most of its funding, however, comes from donations and fundraisers, such as next week’s shindig.
“When we do a fundraiser, it’s not to put money in an endowment fund, it’s to pay the bills,” Castellano said.
Castellano said he believes museums are as important to a community as are local libraries. People want to know where they came from and what their roots have to tell them about who they are today.
Castellano’s point was emphasized, when during the course of the interview with a Whidbey News-Times reporter, he was interrupted by three different people representing three different groups or organizations. Each was there to do research for their specific project.
Julie Dougherty Winger, who was there on behalf of an Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve project, has also been a volunteer at the museum for years. Although she never expected to put in as much time as she has, the work is both fascinating and personally gratifying.
“People come in with questions and you just can’t help but want to help them,” she said. “It’s both exciting and never ending.”
Also there was Martin Elliot of Oak Harbor. He spent the afternoon researching old newspaper articles for information about the city’s downtown area.
Elliot is assisting in an effort to create and install historical markers around Pioneer Way. The signs are hoped to educate both residents and visitors alike on the city’s pioneering and maritime heritage. It’s the museum that’s making the effort possible.
“When we want to make history come alive in Oak Harbor, this is where we come,” Elliot said.
For learn how to donate or volunteer, visit www.islandhistory.org or stop by the museum on Alexander Street next to the wharf.
Friday night dance
Island County Historical Museum is hosting a fundraising dance Friday, May 20 at the Coupeville Rec Hall featuring a ‘60s and ‘70s theme; and in the fall there will be a major fundraising auction. Call 678-3310 for dance ticket or other information.
