EDITOR’S NOTE: This report has been corrected to reflect that the tours will be held Sunday.
PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Historical Society staff and volunteers will give free behind-the-scenes tours of the Historical Research Center from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Members of the Jefferson County Genealogical Society also will be on-hand to explain the services they offer at the center at 13694 Airport Cutoff Road.
“The new wing opened in 2012, but many people have never been inside and they wonder what could possibly be in that big red building,” said Bill Tennent, society executive director.
“We like to think of it as Jefferson County’s treasure chest.”
The $1.6 million expansion added new space for archival storage, artifact processing, exhibit preparation, a conservation laboratory and a loading dock.
The center houses more than half a million historical artifacts and documents related to Jefferson County history.
Visitors will get a glimpse of rare documents and artifacts ranging from Native American baskets to children’s toys of the 1930s to recent work by local artists.
The tour is in celebration of the historical society’s 136th birthday.
Since it began in 1879, the historical society has celebrated April as Founders’ Month.
Last weekend, it hosted a volunteer fair in recognition of the anniversary.
For more information, drop by the historical society at 540 Water St., see www.jchsmuseum.org or phone 360-385-1003.
