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closeOut our way: Local lovers of historical lore gather at KP Civic Center
Colleen Slater
guest columnist
Marine Life Through the Years on the Key Peninsula is this year’s main exhibit at the Key Peninsula Historical Society Museum. Included in the display are many photos of local people fishing, digging clams, beachcombing and boating. Pictures and story of the capture of an Orca whale in Vaughn Bay in 1968 is included, as well as other whale stories from around the area.
A collection of fishing equipment in a glass case catches attention, and a crab pot, clam gun and geoduck can are set out to look at and touch. “How to dig a geoduck” is also displayed in pictures. A DVD of many of them is available for visitors to watch.
Key Peninsula Parks sponsors the current exhibit, as well as last year’s “Baseball Then and Now.” An album of photos used last year is in the museum’s collection. The historical society has an annual renewable contract with KP Parks to set up a display with connection to parks activities. The parks board also has a copy of the DVD.
A small display of the new bridge that crosses Vaughn Creek near the Key Peninsula Civic Center is laid out for visitors. It includes pictures of the construction and previous bridges, as well as other historic bridges in the area.
The KP Historical Society, organized in 1972, opened the museum in 1995. As with many organizations, membership numbers have decreased the past several years, from more than 100 to about 80. The museum has survived with a few dedicated volunteers, some financial donations, grants from the local Angel Guild and the contract with Key Pen Parks.
A picnic meeting for members and guests will be held in September at one of the local historic homes in Vaughn. Charles Whitfield bought a catalog home circa 1920 that was brought into Vaughn Bay by barge from Tacoma and carried up the hill by horse and wagon.
Current owners Mike and Daphne Walker have been researching and restoring it to as close to the original as possible. Daphne’s great-grandfather, Edward Teasdale Buckell, bought the property in 1908 and sold that portion to Whitfield about 1916. Daphne’s mother, Daphne Moynihan, purchased it from the Whitfield family.
The history of the house and family will be shared at the meeting. Audrey Whitfield Paul, the youngest daughter of Charles, turned 85 this week and plans to attend the gathering.
Historical Society memberships are $10 for individuals or $25 for families.
The museum board encourages people with Key Peninsula history connections to donate pictures and stories of their families or businesses with local ties. Monetary donations are always welcome, and local historical memorabilia will be considered.
The museum is located in the 1931 Annex of Vaughn Union High School, now the Key Peninsula Civic Center, 17010 S. Vaughn Road. Museum hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday and Saturday or by appointment.
Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. Call 253-884-3272 or 253-884-3702 or visit keypeninsulamuseum.org for more information.