PORT TOWNSEND — At one time, Chinese immigrants ran farms and stores and worked in shipyards and homes throughout East Jefferson County.
During the 1890s depression, most left, said Phyllis Snyder of the Jefferson County Historical Society.
But before then, “we had a huge Chinese community in the Victorian Era” in the late 1800s, Snyder said.
The accomplishments and culture of Chinese immigrants will be celebrated New Year’s Eve during the historical society’s First Night, an annual alcohol-free event that offers games, crafts, stories, films and, of course, fireworks to usher in the new year.
All activities will take place in and around Port Townsend’s historic City Hall at 540 Water St. between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday.
The theme of the Chinese heritage of the area will tie many of the myriad events together, according to information from Snyder, who is coordinating First Night.
The Jefferson Community School at 280 Quincy St. will host a crafts session to make Chinese lanterns from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Kids and their families can make these authentic-looking lanterns, with battery-operated lights in them,” Snyder said.
Also at the school will be a “traveling trunk” from the historical society’s permanent exhibit in the museum in historic City Hall.
The trunk show will feature artifacts and photos documenting the county’s Chinese heritage.
“Happiness Wishes for 2011” can be made in the courtroom gallery at historic City Hall
There, a Chinese character that spells out “happiness” will be available for wishing upon — and fortune cookies will be available.
Then, there are fireworks, a Chinese invention, which will light up the sky from Memorial Field at 9 p.m. after an illuminated anchor, created by sculptor Thaddeus Jurczynski, is raised.
But Chinese-themed events are only some of the activities planned for First Night.
Many activities will take place in historic City Hall.
Musical performances in City Council chambers will feature Larry Jones playing “Lap Steel Oldies” at 6 p.m. and the PT Songlines Community Chorus Sing Along from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
“Zoom Fantasy,” an exhibit of drawings by Port Townsend High School students, will be mounted in the Hildt Room.
Puppet Theatrical will be presented by Thaddeus Jurczynski & Co. in the fire hall gallery.
The Port Townsend High School Interact Club will have children’s games in the old jail cells, and a cake walk is planned in the marshal’s office gallery.
A “history hunt” will be ongoing in the courtroom gallery.
New this year will be a special PT Film Festival in the theater gallery.
The films to be shown are “Butterfly Circus,” “The Mouse That Roared” and “This Is My Family.”
Branching out from the historic City Hall are activities at several other venues.
Key City Public Theatre will present children’s stories at the Port Townsend Athletic Club, 229 Monroe St., in 40-minute sets beginning at 6 p.m., and the Key City Playhouse will offer “The Best of PT Shorts” at Jefferson Community School.
Elevated Ice Cream, 631 Water St., will feature face painting and live music.
Those who want to dance will find square, line, round and folk dancing at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St.
Live music and art will be offered at the Boiler Room, 711 Water St.
Suggested donation admission is $5. Proceeds will benefit the historical society’s programs.
Admission passes are now available at the Jefferson County Museum in historic City Hall.
Each pass holder will receive a raffle ticket for prizes from the historical society’s museum shop.
The raffle will be held following the fireworks. It will not be necessary to be present to win.
First Night is organized by the Jefferson County Historical Society and sponsored by First Federal.
For more information or for passes, phone 360-385-1003 or visit www.jchs museum.org.
