Our Mission
Our mission at the Harbor History Museum is to inspire curiosity about local history and cultural traditions as they connect to the world around us.
Our vision is to be a premier South Sound resource and destination that is recognized as the community memory bank, preserving and sharing our regional heritage and its connections to the world.
We value Stewardship, Community, Inclusivity, Education, Integrity, and Fiscal Responsibility in our efforts to create a museum that is welcoming for all.
Our Story
The Harbor History Museum is operated by the Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society, a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization (EIN 23-7440330). Established in 1964, the Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society dba the Harbor History Museum was awarded a 501(c)3 status by the IRS, and began operating a Museum in 1976. In the summer of 2007, the Society underwent a re-branding and became “Harbor History Museum” as we know it today.
The Historical Society fulfills its mission and vision by providing a museum to the community and educational programs serving residents, visitors, researchers, and students. The new Museum building, on the waterfront in Gig Harbor, opened to the public on September 18, 2010. In April of 2025, the Museum opened its new Maritime Gallery featuring the 65-foot fishing vessel Shenandoah. Additionally, the facility includes an 1893 fully restored one-room school house, 10,500 square feet of exhibition space; and a 900-square foot research and meeting room.
The Museum provides a variety of public education programs. Our core educational program is the Midway School Experience (MSE), which serves over 1,100 3rd – 6th grade students every year. Led by a costumed interpreter “schoolmarm,” the children experience a 1915 school day complete with lessons, recitations, and recess. We provide children with a Midway student identity and costume to support their learning experience. After the schoolhouse, students explore the rest of the galleries with our interpreters. For K – 2nd grade students, we offer the Primary Museum Experience, which serves as an introduction to the museum and how artifacts tell stories. For 7th grade and up, we customize the visit to the desired focus in collaboration with the teacher. Our School Resources page also offers a variety of lesson plans and curriculum supports for teachers to use in their classrooms with their historical investigations.
Our permanent exhibit features professionally designed exhibitions and opportunities for hands-on exploration of our region’s rich history and unique heritage. Artifacts, video kiosks, and a small theatre bring Peninsula history to life in our permanent galleries. In addition, the Museum provides 3-5 special exhibits throughout the year so there is always something new to see and experience for our members and visitors. We also provide lectures, book readings, workshops, and film presentations.
Land Acknowledgement: The Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society acknowledges that the Harbor History Museum stands on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish indigenous peoples, specifically the sxʷ̌əbabš or Swift Water people. We are honored to be stewards of this ancient place and to share the stories that have defined the txʷaalqəł site over time.
Check out our Blog
The Harbor History Museum blog page provides a multi-faceted look into local history. Learn about Gig Harbor's past and catch a sneak peek into our archives. You’ll find our searchable blog site at http://www.harborhistorymuseum.blogspot.com/
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