North Olympic History Center

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.

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.

Esther Webster Paints, Prints & Sketches Exhibit
2026-01-08 - 2026-02-11 | PUB Gallery, 1502 E Lauridsen Blvd, Port Angeles, WA, 98362, United States
Showing at Peninsula College PUB Gallery through February 11.

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.

Moving the Mail Exhibit at City of Sequim Civic Gallery
2026-02-02 - 2026-02-13 | Sequim Civic Gallery, 152 W Cedar St., Sequim, WA, 98382, United States
A Traveling 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.

Sequim Sunshine Festival Booth
2026-03-07 10:00 - 19:00 | Carrie Blake Park, 202 N. Blake Ave, Sequim, WA, 98382, United States

NOHC at the KONP Homeshow
2026-03-14 09:00 - 2026-03-15 16:00 | Port Angeles High School
Come visit our booth at the Homeshow at the Port Angeles High School Gymnasiums.
304 E Park Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362

Saturday, March 14th, 2026 – 9AM – 4PM
Sunday, March 15th, 2026 – 9AM – 3PM

Miverva Troy Exhibit Opening Reception
2026-03-14 18:00 - 20:00 | North Olympic History Center, 933 W. 9th Stree, Port Agneles, WA, 98363, United States

NOHC Closed April 2, 2026
2026-04-02 | North Olympic History Center, 933 W. 9th Stree, Port Agneles, WA, 98363, United States
The North Olympic History Center Research Library and Administrative offices will be closed Thursday, April 2, 2026. The Administrative office will re-open on Monday, April 6, 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM and the Research Library will resume it’s regular schedule of Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Our online catalog is available any time at http://nohc.catalogaccess.com/

Squatchcon Presentation: Our Sasquatch of the Sea
2026-04-09 | Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E 4th St., Port Angles,, WA, 98362, United States
Ediz Gigantus
David Brownell, NOHC Executive Director, will be giving a presentation about the North Olympic History Center mascot and local cryptid, Ediz Gigantus.
Time to be announced.

History Tales: Search for the HBC Cadboro
2026-04-19 02:00 - 15:30 | Port Angeles Library, 2210 S Peabody St, Port Angeles, WA, 98362, United States
View of the Schooner Cadboro, 4 January 1860, by unknown artist. from Royal BC Museum, Victoria, BC
Join us in the Carver Room at the Port Angeles Library to follow Larry Lang’s search for the ship that once housed an 1820s cannon found near the mouth of the Elwha. This is a tale international intrigue, political machinations, and high adventure.

Moving the Mail Exhibit at Clallam Bay Branch Library
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-17 | Clallam Bay Branch Library, 16990 WA-112, Clallam Bay, WA, 98326, United States

Moving the Mail Exhibit at Forks Branch Library
2026-05-18 - 2026-06-01 | Forks Branch Library, 171 S Forks Ave, Forks, WA, 98331, United States

"Since Time Immemorial": A Revised History of the Northeast Olympic Peninsula
2026-05-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, 98382, United States
A high-level of the cultural history of the North Olympic Peninsula (NOP), presented through a broader framework of human presence in North America. The “Clovis first” theory of fallen out of favor as an increasing mountain of evidence show that humans have been in North America for at least 20,000-30,000 years. This presentation examines some of the new evidence, and how these findings change (or don’t) our understanding of human history on the NOP.

Maritime Festival at Port Angeles Boathaven Marina
2026-06-06 12:00 - 20:00 | Port of Port Angeles Boathaven, 800 W. Boathaven Drive, Port Angeles, WA, 96363, United States
Come visit our booth at the Maritime Festival. Take a photo with our resident cryptid, Ediz Gigantus, take home an Ediz T-shirt, buy a book about local history, tell our friendly volunteers your stories about living on the Peninsula. Check out our volunteer activities, become a member or renew your membership. Help us make history.

North Olympic Voices Exhibit Opening
2026-06-14 08:00 - 17:00 | Field Hall & Events Center, 201 W Front St., Port Angeles, WA, WA, 98363, United States
The North Olympic Voices Exhibit in the Laura Cooksey Gallery at Field Hall Arts & Events Center will run from mid-June through early August (dates to be finalized) will feature pieces of contemporary community art and selected artifacts from the North Olympic History Center collections.

North Olympic Voices Project
The North Olympic Voices Project is an America 250 partnership between the North Olympic History Center, Field Arts & Events Hall and North Olympic Community Media. The project will highlight and preserve the diverse experiences and stories that make the North Olympic Peninsula such a unique piece of the American mosaic, featuring artwork, oral history interviews and other creative expressions of North Olympic citizens, present and past.
The North Olympic Voices podcast will begin in Spring 2028, as well as programming on KSQM and KONP radio. The podcast will broadcast stories from current residents of Clallam County, as well as historical recordings from the NOHC’s oral history collection. For more information please contact the North Olympic History Center at (360) 452-2662 or director@northolympichistory.org.

Archaeological History of the Sequim Prairie
2026-06-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, 98382, United States
This program ties together climatology, geology, archaeology, and ethnography to provide a holistic understanding of human occupation of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley since the end of the last ice age approximately 14,00 years ago. It explores the data and conclusion of archaeological excavations at the Manis Mastodon and Sequim Bypass sites, amongst others

History Hike -- Port Williams/Marlyn Nelson County Park
2026-06-20 | Marlyn Nelson County Park, 2739 Port Williams Road, Sequim, WA, 98382, United States
Port Williams/Marlyn Nelson County Park
Photo courtesy of Clallam County Parks, Fair, and Facilities
Did you know that Port Williams was once a town with its own post office, hotel, and wharf? What is now a simple county park with a boat ramp was once the bustling center of commerce for east Clallam County. Join us for this 2.5 mile-roundtrip beach walk while we “peel” this onion of history, exploring its many layers and transformations.
Sponsored by the Jefferson County Historical Society in conjunction with the North Olympic History Center.
Two hikes are offered on in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
General Information:
Two time slots per date
Pre-registration required
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the site
Capacity: 12 people per hike
Program cost is $45 for JCHS or NOHC members, $60 for non-members
Funds from History Hikes help support the work of both the North Olympic History Center and the Jefferson County Historical Society.
Questions about Programs contact NOHC by phone 360.452.2662 or by email artifact@olypen.com
contact JCHS by phone 260.385.1003 or by email programs@jchsmuseum.com

Moving the Mail Exhibit at Sequim Museum
2026-07-02 - 2026-07-30 | Sequim Museum, 544 N. Sequim Avenue, Sequim, WA, 98382, United States
A traveling 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 sifted and mew 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.

History Hike -- Qatáy Prairie and Lagoon
2026-07-18 | Qátay Prairie and Lagoon, 1948 Blaine Street, Port Townsend, WA, 98368, United States
Photo Courtesy of City of Port Townsend
Once covering much of the northeast Olympic Peninsula, the Port Townsend camas prairie is a remnant of a critically important ecosystem that sustained many of the Tribes of the Pacific Northwest. Join us as we tour the prairie to learn about what happened to the prairies of the Olympic Peninsula, followed by a walk down to what is left of the qatáy lagoon.
Sponsored by the Jefferson County Historical Society in conjunction with the North Olympic History Center.
Two hikes are offered on in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
General Information:
Two time slots per date
Pre-registration required
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the site
Capacity: 12 people per hike
Program cost is $45 for JCHS or NOHC members, $60 for non-members
Funds from History Hikes help support the work of both the North Olympic History Center and the Jefferson County Historical Society.
Questions about Programs contact NOHC by phone 360.452.2662 or by email artifact@olypen.com
contact JCHS by phone 260.385.1003 or by email programs@jchsmuseum.com

NOHC at Joyce Daze Wild Blackberry Festival
2026-08-01 08:00 - 17:00
Visit our booth at the 43rd Annual Festival.

Museum Day Open House at NOHC
2026-08-08 | North Olympic History Center, 933 W. 9th Stree, Port Agneles, WA, 98363, United States
Join us at the North Olympic History Center Open House at 933 W 9th for tours of the Research Library and the Artifact Storage Facility/Admin Office.
Time forthcoming

A Glimpse of Sxʷčkʷíyəŋ, a S’Klallam village at Washington Harbor
2026-08-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, 98382, United States
Sxʷčkʷíyəŋ, a S’Klallam village at Washington Harbor
History of Sxʷčkʷíyəŋ, a 600+ year old S’Klallam village from which Sequim derives its name. This presentation examines ethnographic accounts, archaeological discoveries, archival documents and other materials to understand the pre- and post-contact history of the S’Klallam ancestors who lived at this site for centuries.

Moving the Mail Exhibit Opening
2026-08-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Port Angeles Library, 2210 S Peabody St, Port Angeles, WA, 98362, United States
The History of Mail Delivery in Clallam County

Join us at the Port Angeles Public Library for a fascinating look at how people did business, kept in tough with friends and family, shipped timber, and, kept up with the international news around the Peninsula, down the Pacific Coast, with the cities in the sound, up, down, and across the Strait at a time when roads and mail delivery were just beginning to develop.

Moving the Mail Exhibition
2026-08-19 - 2026-10-17 | Port Angeles Library, 2210 S Peabody St, Port Angeles, WA, 98362, United States
Moving the Mail Exhibit at the Port Angeles Library

NOHC at the Clallam County Fair
2026-08-20 - 2026-08-23
Look for our table across from the fair grandstand.
Thursday – Saturday: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PPM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 3:00

History Hike: Dungeness & Three Crabs Estuary
2026-09-19
4th of July Parade in old Dungeness
This 1.5-mile roundtrip hike will explore the Dungeness and “3 Crabs” area north of Sequim. Recently the site of a major ecosystem restoration project, this location has many stories to tell from the natural movements of the Dungeness River, the history of the town of Dungeness and the Dungeness Wharf, which provided a vital historic commercial connection between the North Olympic Peninsula and the Seattle and Victoria markets.
Sponsored by the Jefferson County Historical Society in conjunction with the North Olympic History Center.
Two hikes are offered on in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
General Information:
Two time slots per date
Pre-registration required
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the site
Capacity: 12 people per hike
Program cost is $45 for JCHS or NOHC members, $60 for non-members
Funds from History Hikes help support the work of both the North Olympic History Center and the Jefferson County Historical Society.
Questions about Programs contact NOHC by phone 360.452.2662 or by email artifact@olypen.com
contact JCHS by phone 260.385.1003 or by email programs@jchsmuseum.com
