Our Museum Is Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Love local history? Here’s how you can learn more…
Bill Haroldson, President of the SWHS
Become a Member
Join the South Whidbey Historical Society and receive special discounts and access to special events and sections of the website reserved for members, It’s easy and inexpensive. Just visit our Membership Page.
Your Support Matters We are always grateful for financial donations. Simply CLICK HERE donate safely via PayPal, or mail a check to SWHS / PO Box 612 / Langley, WA 98260.
Donating Local Historical Items
We love receiving items of local historical interest! If you have items to donate, our curator would love to hear from you. We’ll find a convenient and safe manner to pick them up or meet you.
Join Our Legacy Circle
When you remember the South Whidbey Historical Society in your will or estate plan, you help keep your community Historical Society and Museum serving our community. Contact us for details at (360) 221-2101.
Become Involved
Finally, we are seeking additional volunteers who may become Board members, and future docents for when our community opens up again –– a time we all look forward to. Email us at SWHMuseum@gmail.com or you can telephone the museum at (360) 221-2101. We likely won’t be there but please leave us a message and we will return your telephone call or email.
Follow Us on Facebook
Join the 3,300 people who follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SouthWhidbeyHistory.
Just purchase a ticket at BrownPaperTickets.com at https://langleyhistorytours.bpt.me/
Click on the video play button below to learn more about the Museum and its collection.
The South Whidbey Historical Society collects, preserves and presents information, stories and artifacts of our history, weaving together the diverse experiences of our people as context for today’s decision makers and inspiration for tomorrow’s leaders.
We accomplish this mission by maintaining a Museum in Langley to house our collections and through our displays at the Island County Fairgrounds.
In addition, the Society sponsors regular “Then and Now” evening presentations that focus on South Whidbey Island history and maintains our “Virtual Museum” which contains digital images of our collections
Some of SW’s Notable People…
Langley’s All-Woman City Council
In 1919, a special election was held in Langley which resulted in an all-woman administration who took office in January 1920. This is but one part of Washington State's interesting road to women's suffrage as local historian Bob Waterman explains in this video. If...
Omer Porter
Found this fascinating article in our archives about Omer Porter, which was written by John Watkins and which appeared in the South Whidbey Record on October 7, 1980. It gives a glimpse into what life was like on South Whidbey around the turn of the last century....
Chief William Shelton: A Bridge Between Two Worlds
A Bridge Between Two Worlds: Chief William Shelton His Story Poles and Enduring Legacy Few Whidbey Islanders know of William Shelton. He was the last hereditary chief of the Snohomish Tribe and was born at Brown’s Point (now Sandy Point) on Whidbey Island in 1868. The...
SWHS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
South Whidbey Historical Society seeks equity, diversity and inclusion in our organization, activities and make up of community partners.
-
- We acknowledge that we gather on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish People, especially the Snohomish.
- We pledge to collaborate in a respectful exchange of ideas and experiences regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic situation, religion, and ability.
- We strive to remove barriers through regular consultation with people and groups contributing a variety of voices and perspectives, to add new levels of meaning to our programming and deepen its relevance to the broader community.
- We seek to care for and share natural and cultural collections so all people can learn, be inspired, generate knowledge, and heal.
Posts From Our Facebook Page
High School graduation classes of 1932 and 1942
With the upcoming graduation class of 2022, we thought you might enjoy photos from the Langley High School graduation classes of 1932 and 1942. Thanks to the South Whidbey School District and the Island County Historical Museum for digitizing the graduation...
Sign up now for Langley Walking History Tours
They're coming back: local Langley historian Bob Waterman's popular Langley Walking History Tours. Sign up for a Saturday morning tour on May 14, 21 or 28. The 1.5 to two-hour tours are limited to 10 people and start off in the Museum. Whether you've lived on...
Bob Frear’s old Meat Market on First Street, 1948 – 1971.
Most towns had butcher shops or meat markets before that function was brought inhouse to grocery stores and supermarkets. The South Whidbey Historical Society recently received meat cleavers, meat saws, and a butcher's apron from Bob Frear's old Meat Market on...
James C. Langley
As Spring rains continue, we thought you might get a chuckle from these 1919 real estate advertisements of James C. Langley, aka 'Fidelity Jim', nephew of Judge James Weston Langley, the man for whom the town of Langley is named. One of the longer ads reads as...
Anton Myre Anderson
It was August, 1904, and it was hot the day that Anton Myre Anderson debarked from the steamer Fairhaven onto the Langley dock with his wife, Josephine, his nine-year-old son, Otto, and his two-year-old daughter, Alma. They had come from Everett with all their worldly...
A kids day at Mutiny Bay in the 1950s
Thanks to Bob Boswell for sharing the following memories of summers spent on Mutiny Bay. A lightly edited (for length) version is in our latest South Whidbey Historical Society newsletter. Enjoy. ------------ A Kid’s Day at Mutiny Bay in the Early 1950’s by Bob...
Sarah Ball
While the Hinman brothers were busy developing the town of Clinton, a 51-year-old widow named Sarah Ann Eldridge Taylor Ball was busy creating an exceptional farm by homesteading 160 acres about two miles inland, overlooking Deer Lake. It is...
Andrew Olsen
One of Clinton's early European immigrant settlers was Andrew Olsen, who was born in Stavanger, Norway in 1854.He lived on a farm, and as a child helped with the chores while learning the carpenter trade until he was 14 years old. Then he went to...
Booming Logs
These two photos, taken in about 1901, are from Mabel Anthes' photo album. The first one shows her father, Jacob Anthes, (founder of Langley) booming logs, and the other one was likely taken at a picnic outing, possibly in Holmes Harbor. It is unclear if...
A Brief History of Our South End Communities…
(Click on the town name to open the page.)
Help Us Plan Activities for 2022
We want to know what interests you! Just click here to be taken to a brief survey of potential activities. Thank you!
The Museum Is Closed for Winter Break Until Langley Mystery Weekend in February
… but you can still learn lots about local South Whidbey History by perusing our website. We’re constantly adding new information and photos.
Join the 3,200 people who follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SouthWhidbeyHistory.
Your Support Matters
We are always grateful for financial donations. Simply CLICK HERE donate safely via PayPal, or mail a check to SWHS / PO Box 612 / Langley, WA 98260.
Donating Local Historical Items
We love receiving items of local historical interest! If you have items to donate, our curator would love to hear from you. We’ll find a convenient and safe manner to pick them up or meet you.
Join Our Legacy Circle
When you remember the South Whidbey Historical Society in your will or estate plan, you help keep your community Historical Society and Museum serving our community.
Become Involved
Finally, we are seeking additional volunteers who may become Board members, and future docents for when our community opens up again –– a time we all look forward to. Email us at SWHMuseum@gmail.com or you can telephone the museum at (360) 221-2101. We likely won’t be there but please leave us a message and we will return your telephone call or email.
Click on the video play button below to learn more about the Museum and its collection.
The South Whidbey Historical Society collects, preserves and presents information, stories and artifacts of our history, weaving together the diverse experiences of our people as context for today’s decision makers and inspiration for tomorrow’s leaders.
We accomplish this mission by maintaining a Museum in Langley to house our collections and through our displays at the Island County Fairgrounds. In addition, the Society sponsors regular “Then and Now” evening presentations that focus on South Whidbey Island history and maintains our “Virtual Museum” which contains digital images of our collections.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE VIA PAYPAL
SWHS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
South Whidbey Historical Society seeks equity, diversity and inclusion in our organization, activities and make up of community partners.
-
- We acknowledge that we gather on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish People, especially the Snohomish.
- We pledge to collaborate in a respectful exchange of ideas and experiences regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic situation, religion, and ability.
- We strive to remove barriers through regular consultation with people and groups contributing a variety of voices and perspectives, to add new levels of meaning to our programming and deepen its relevance to the broader community.
- We seek to care for and share natural and cultural collections so all people can learn, be inspired, generate knowledge, and heal.
Some of South Whidbey’s Notable People…
Langley’s All-Woman City Council
In 1919, a special election was held in Langley which resulted in an all-woman administration who took office in January 1920. This is but one part of Washington State's interesting road to women's suffrage as local historian Bob Waterman explains in this video. If...
Omer Porter
Found this fascinating article in our archives about Omer Porter, which was written by John Watkins and which appeared in the South Whidbey Record on October 7, 1980. It gives a glimpse into what life was like on South Whidbey around the turn of the last century....
Chief William Shelton: A Bridge Between Two Worlds
A Bridge Between Two Worlds: Chief William Shelton His Story Poles and Enduring Legacy Few Whidbey Islanders know of William Shelton. He was the last hereditary chief of the Snohomish Tribe and was born at Brown’s Point (now Sandy Point) on Whidbey Island in 1868. The...
Posts From Our Facebook Page
High School graduation classes of 1932 and 1942
With the upcoming graduation class of 2022, we thought you might enjoy photos from the Langley High School graduation classes of 1932 and 1942. Thanks to the South Whidbey School District and the Island County Historical Museum for digitizing the graduation...
Sign up now for Langley Walking History Tours
They're coming back: local Langley historian Bob Waterman's popular Langley Walking History Tours. Sign up for a Saturday morning tour on May 14, 21 or 28. The 1.5 to two-hour tours are limited to 10 people and start off in the Museum. Whether you've lived on...
Bob Frear’s old Meat Market on First Street, 1948 – 1971.
Most towns had butcher shops or meat markets before that function was brought inhouse to grocery stores and supermarkets. The South Whidbey Historical Society recently received meat cleavers, meat saws, and a butcher's apron from Bob Frear's old Meat Market on...
James C. Langley
As Spring rains continue, we thought you might get a chuckle from these 1919 real estate advertisements of James C. Langley, aka 'Fidelity Jim', nephew of Judge James Weston Langley, the man for whom the town of Langley is named. One of the longer ads reads as...
Anton Myre Anderson
It was August, 1904, and it was hot the day that Anton Myre Anderson debarked from the steamer Fairhaven onto the Langley dock with his wife, Josephine, his nine-year-old son, Otto, and his two-year-old daughter, Alma. They had come from Everett with all their worldly...
A kids day at Mutiny Bay in the 1950s
Thanks to Bob Boswell for sharing the following memories of summers spent on Mutiny Bay. A lightly edited (for length) version is in our latest South Whidbey Historical Society newsletter. Enjoy. ------------ A Kid’s Day at Mutiny Bay in the Early 1950’s by Bob...
Sarah Ball
While the Hinman brothers were busy developing the town of Clinton, a 51-year-old widow named Sarah Ann Eldridge Taylor Ball was busy creating an exceptional farm by homesteading 160 acres about two miles inland, overlooking Deer Lake. It is...
Andrew Olsen
One of Clinton's early European immigrant settlers was Andrew Olsen, who was born in Stavanger, Norway in 1854.He lived on a farm, and as a child helped with the chores while learning the carpenter trade until he was 14 years old. Then he went to...
Booming Logs
These two photos, taken in about 1901, are from Mabel Anthes' photo album. The first one shows her father, Jacob Anthes, (founder of Langley) booming logs, and the other one was likely taken at a picnic outing, possibly in Holmes Harbor. It is unclear if...
A Brief History of Our South End Communities…
(Click on the town name to open the page.)