HISTORY LIVES HERE!
Moran Arch
Moran State Park, the first state park in Washington, is named after Seattle's former Mayor Robert Moran, who gifted the 2998 acres to the state.Orcas or Bust
Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity? Look no further we are always in search of eager volunteers!
Commemorative Brick Walkway
Support the Museums and remember a loved one all at the same time. Purchase an engraved Brick to be installed in our commemorative walkway!ABOUT THE MUSEUM
Museum Theft
The Museum doors were inadvertently left open on Sunday night and someone entered the Museum. The theft issue is being handled by the sheriff and the Board is taking appropriate action to insure that such an incident this does not happen again.
Annual Appeal Trivia Quiz
Click here to answer the questions you received in your Annual Appeal letter. Anyone who answers all 5 right will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Gift Certificate to our Museum Store
Crow Valley School Hours
Memorial Day - Labor Day
Wednesday and Saturdays
12:00-4:00pm
Call the Museum offices with any questions or to make an appointment.
Pioneer Museum Hours
Summer Hours: May-Sept
Wed-Sat 11-4 Sunday 12-3
Winter Hours: Oct-April
Wed-Sat 12-3
Closed January
The Orcas Island Historical Society's first museum consisted of artifacts displayed on the front porch of a pioneer family's home. Property for a permanent museum site was eventually obtained in the village of Eastsound, a location the pioneer museum, and offices continue to occupy today. In the 1950s and 1960s, various island families donated six original homestead cabins during the 1870s and 1890s to the Society. Volunteers disassembled the structures at their original sites, then moved, reconstructed and linked the structures together to create the main museum facility. These cabins are now all over a hundred years old, and not only house the collections, but are considered important historical artifacts themselves. Each cabin serves as a space for interpreting specific aspects of island history as told through the life stories and material culture of the Native American and early European-American settlers of the area. The Orcas Island Historical Museum is unique in being the only object based, interpretive heritage facility for the island, with permanent collection comprised of approximately 6000 objects, paper documents photographs.
"Our mission is to educate, inspire, connect and involve our community and visitors in the stewardship of our unique island history."