NORTH OLYMPIC HISTORY CENTER

 

We connect the future, through the present, with the past. Since 1948, the North Olympic History Center, formerly the Clallam County Historical Society, has been dedicated to keeping the history of the North Olympic Peninsula alive. The NOHC manages a research library, an artifact collection, and an education program.

NOHC Honors the Memory of Virginia Fitzpatrick

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Virginia's smile lights up a meeting of the NOHC Board on September 8, 2014.

From Left to Right: Irene Wyman, Laurie Davies, Gary Braun, Virginia Fitzpatrick, Charlie Smith, Kay Seed, John Hubbard, Jim Moran, Kathy Rankin, Jim Rankin, Sandy Keys, Bill Barrett, Nancy Lang, Kathy Estes, Adria Fuhrman.  

The recent passing of Virginia Fitzpatrick marks the end of a lifetime of generosity and behind the scenes work that benefited us all in the past, present and future. She actively served the Clallam County Historical Society (now the North Olympic History Center) for a total of half a century. She felt strongly that board members should bring something positive to the table. One of her favorite remarks was that the board didn’t need “nice little old ladies.”

Virginia Fitzpatrick was always one to say “thank you.” She stepped up to the plate when she saw the need. As a founding member of the local genealogy society, it was natural for her to see how genealogy and history blended. She joined the Historical Society and worked tirelessly for the blended organization. When the museum manager quit and there was no money to pay a new one, Virginia volunteered her time and money to keep the museum’s goals progressing. She worked with county officials, volunteers, and the public for the benefit of all. In 1989, she was chosen as one of the finalists for Citizen of the Year award. Her only regret for not being chosen was “not being able to publicly thank all the people who created the museum” and who made her nomination possible.

There are few members left that remember those golden years with Virginia and Mike Fitzpatrick volunteering at the Courthouse and at Lincoln School. You could find Mike on the fire truck ladder replacing windows in Lincoln School or out mowing the lawn. Virginia continued working with and for the North Olympic History Center long after she could no longer come to the facility. She was always on call.

We will miss her, and we are richer for having known her.

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