North Olympic History Center

Moving the Mail Exhibit at Clallam County Courthouse
2026-01-16 - 2026-02-02 | Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E 4th St, Port Angeles, WA, 98362, United States
Moving the Mail: A Travelling Exhibit from the North Olympic History Center
Did you know that there have been at least 70 post offices in Clallam County? Moving the Mail explores the history of postal service on the North Olympic Peninsula, from the coastal deliveries of the Mosquito fleet and Tribal canoes to wagon roads and eventually rail and air. In remote communities across the Peninsula, mail delivery was often the only link with the outside world. As populations shifted and new technologies developed, the speed and method of mail delivery changed. Learn all about these fascinating stories in Moving the Mail!
This exhibit was created with the support of a Clallam County Heritage Advisory Board grant.

NOHC Closed
2025-12-01 - 2026-01-04
The Center will be closed for the month of December 2025 and will reopen on January 5, 2026. Please contact us via email at artifact@olypen.com.

History Tales: Survival stories from the January 1700 earthquake and tsunami.
2025-10-19 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Black Diamond Community Hall, 1942 Black Diamond Rd, Port Angeles, WA, 98363
On the night of January 26, 1700, a massive earthquake struck off the coast, sending a wall of water barrelling toward seaside villages, from the coastlines of Vancouver Island to northern California. Learn about the impact of this devastating tsunami, and what’s being done today to prepare for the next Big One.

This presentation will be given by Melissa Slager, a journalist and writer from Everett, who published a deeply researched historical novel, Contests of Strength, about the event and its impact on traditional Makah lands. Learn more at melissaslager.com.

Annual Membership Meeting
2025-10-19 12:00 - 14:00 | Black Diamond Community Hall, 1942 Black Diamond Rd, Port Angeles, WA, 98363
Agenda
12:00 PM Welcome & Remarks from the Board President
12:15 PM Director’s Presentation
1:00 PM Board of Directors Election
1:15 PM Dessert Raffle
1:30 PM Board of Directors Election Results Announcement
1:45 PM Break
2:00 PM History Tales Presentation

Learning Our Landscape: Jamestown Tribal Veteran's Memorial Archaeology
2025-09-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Library, 1070 Old Blyn Hwy, Sequim, WA, 98362, United States

History Hike: Clink Bridge
2025-09-20 10:00 - 14:00
Join us for the “special edition” extended History Hike to the Clink Bridge site on the Dungeness River south of Sequim. Descend into the Dungeness Valley through old growth forest and learn about the history of human settlement on the Dungeness River and what that can tell us about the interplay between human, geological and natural factors on the North Olympic Peninsula. Named after the Clink family that briefly settled the area in the late 19th century, this location is rich in historic significance and natural beauty.
This is an extended History Hike covering approximately three miles round-trip on a gravel trail with a few steep and muddy inclines.
Pre-registration required
2 – 2.5 hours
Two time slots: 10am and 1:30pm

History Tales: Puerto de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles – Spanish Explorations and Interactions on the North Olympic Peninsula
2025-08-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Black Diamond Community Hall, 1942 Black Diamond Rd, Port Angeles, WA, 98363

History at the Hub
2025-08-22 16:00 - 20:00 | The Hub, 117 N Lincoln St, Port Angeles, WA, 98362, United States
Fundraiser for the North Olympic History Center

Clallam County Fair Booth
2025-08-14 - 2025-08-17

Joyce Daze Festival Booth
2025-08-02 08:00 - 17:00

Second Saturday Strolls: Farmland in the Sequim Dungeness Valley
2025-07-12 10:00 - 12:00
In 2023, Mid Valley Farm became the 24th farm that the Land Trust has helped to protect. A conservation easement there now protects 56 acres between Sequim-Dungeness Way and Evans Road as farmland forever.
David Brownell, Executive Director of North Olympic History Center, will explore the post-glacial history the Sequim-Dungeness Valley and how shifting climate patterns and other factors have influenced current land use patterns.
Walking surfaces are a mix of gravel and grass over varying terrain with some slight inclines. Please respect private property, this farm is not open to the public and we are being granted access for this tour.
This outing is limited to 15 participants, and advanced registration is required. Address and driving directions will be provided to those who register a week before the tour.

NOHC Open House
2025-06-25 11:00 - 14:00 | North Olympic History Center, 933 W. 9th Stree, Port Agneles, WA, 98363, United States

Olympic Outdoors Exhibit Opening and History Tales: Early Photos of Familiar Place – Digitizing the McClinton Family Photo Collection with Larry Lang
2025-06-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Port Angeles Library, 2210 S Peabody St, Port Angeles, WA, 98362, United States

History Hike: Indian Island
2025-06-14 10:00 - 14:00
Back by popular demand, this History Hike is a repeat of the 2022 hike that started our History Hikes programming! Join us on a walk along the trail on the north side of the portage canal and discuss the tumultuous history of Oak Bay and Indian Island. We’ll begin with the archaeological history of Indian Island and explore the implications of the Hudson Bay Company’s punitive mission against the S’Klallam that resulted in the destruction of a village at this location in 1828, as well as what we know about the more recent ebb and flow of human history in this area.

Pre-registration required.
Approximately 90 minutes.
Approximately 1 mile total on a gravel trail with few inclines.
This tour is offered at 10am and 12:30pm.

History Hike: Dungeness Recreation Area
2025-05-31 10:00 - 14:00 | Dungeness Recreation Area, 554 Voice of America Rd W, Sequim, Washington, 98382
The Dungeness Recreation Area, known locally as “Voice of America” park, has a rich history beginning with traditional use of prairies by the S’Klallam people, to early agricultural use and more recent development for radio broadcasting in World War II. Join us to peel back these layers of history and enjoy the scenic views of the Olympic Mountains and Strait of Juan de Fuca. This area is renowned for wildlife, so make sure to bring your binoculars!

Pre-registration required.
Approximately 90 minutes.
Approximately 1 mile total. Trails are a mix of gravel and grass paths over varying terrain with some slight inclines.
This tour is offered at 10am and 12:30pm.

Restore the 4! Presentation and Fundraiser
2025-03-30 15:00 - 18:00 | Port Angeles Library, 2210 S Peabody St, Port Angeles, WA, 98362, United States

Esther Webster Art Exhibit Opening Reception
2025-03-15 18:00 - 19:30 | North Olympic History Center, 933 W. 9th Stree, Port Agneles, WA, 98363, United States

KONP Homeshow Booth
2025-03-08 - 2025-03-09 | Port Angeles High School

Learning Our Landscape: Sxʷčkʷíyəŋ village at Washington Harbor
2025-02-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Library, 1070 Old Blyn Hwy, Sequim, WA, 98362, United States

An Introduction to the Archaeology of the Northwest Coast from the perspective of Western Washington with Gary Wessen, PhD.
2024-10-24 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-22 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-10 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-08 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-03 19:00 - 20:30
The course is free, though participants are encouraged to make a donation at time of registration. This eight-session course offers an overview of the pre-contact archaeology of the Northwest Coast, emphasizing archaeological sites and studies in western Washington. Participants will review background subjects including Northwest Coast culture, local environmental history, archaeological resources, and local research history. The course will examine what is known about the archaeological resources and cultural history of the region, briefly considering several specific archaeological sites including the site at Ozette. We will conclude with a discussion of the present and likely future of this region’s archaeological resources.
Registration Link

October History Tales: Ediz Gigantus - History or Mystery?
2024-10-20 14:00 - 15:30 | Black Diamond Community Hall, 1942 Black Diamond Rd, Port Angeles, WA, 98363
Join Executive Director David Brownell for our final History Tales presentation of the year, as we explore historic accounts, artwork and more documenting the legendary sea serpent(s?) of the Salish Sea.

NOAA West End Maritime Heritage Symposium
2024-10-19

Learning Our Landscape: The Archaeology of the Sequim Prairie
2024-10-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Library, 1070 Old Blyn Hwy, Sequim, WA, 98362, United States
NOHC Executive Director David Brownell will discuss some of the archaeological sites of Sequim Prairie and its environs and what these sites tell us about cultural adaptations to climate change and traditional ecological knowledge.

An Introduction to the Archaeology of the Northwest Coast from the perspective of Western Washington with Gary Wessen, PhD
2024-10-01 19:00 - 20:30
This course is free, though participants are encouraged to make a donation at time of registration. This eight-session course offers an overview of the pre-contact archaeology of the Northwest Coast, emphasizing archaeological sites and studies in western Washington. Participants will review background subjects including Northwest Coast culture, local environmental history, archaeological resources, and local research history. The course will examine what is known about the archaeological resources and cultural history of the region, briefly considering several specific archaeological sites including the site at Ozette. We will conclude with a discussion of the present and likely future of this region’s archaeological resources.
Registration Link
