PORT TOWNSEND — The downtown exhibit space occupied by the Jefferson County Historical Society is to be rechristened the Jefferson Museum of Art and History this spring.
The change is to reflect the region’s ongoing relationship with the creative arts, according to Ann Welch, historical society board member.
“This area has clamored for a brick-and-mortar art museum forever,” Welch said.
“It wasn’t likely that we could build a new facility or take over an existing building, so it makes a lot of sense to do this now.”
The impetus for creating the museum resulted from a bequest by Nora Porter — Port Townsend civic and political leader — who died in November at the age of 75 and left the museum about 80 pieces of unique and valuable local art.
About half the collection will be featured in the museum’s first exhibit under its new name, scheduled to open April 28 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The new museum will hold a gala preview of the exhibit April 27.
“Nora left us her collection because she knew that it would be taken care of by the museum,” said Julie Marston, historical society board president.
“We now have this great collection of art, and we’d like to show it off.”
The Porter exhibit will continue through 2012.
After that, about three shows a year will draw from its collection.
The art that is not on display will be stored at the newly constructed research center, which will have its own grand opening April 21.
The museum’s main 1,200-foot exhibit space will be used to show art, while the second exhibit room and the basement will contain historical displays.
In addition to the 80 pieces from Porter, the museum owns about 300 pieces that are now in storage, said Bill Tennent, historic society executive director.
“We are making this change to allow our art collection to be more accessible to the public,” Tennent said.
“We are still a historical museum, but art has always been an important part of the history of Port Townsend and Jefferson County.”
The museum has collected art since its founding in 1879.
The oldest painting in the collection dates from 1880.
Much of the collection originated from teachers and students in Port Townsend’s art schools, many of whom went on to international recognition.
The newly configured museum is located at 540 Water St. and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
General admission is $4. The museum is free to all Jefferson County residents on the first Saturday of every month.
This coincides with the regular Port Townsend Gallery Walk, for which the museum plans to stay open late.
For more information go to http://jchsmuseum.org/ or phone 360-385-1003.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
