Welcome! Hit the play button below for an overview video of the Museum…

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

Though Our Museum Is Closed Due to the Pandemic, We Are Staying Quite Active

Our mission is to record and tell the history of South Whidbey and we are committed to this task. The South Whidbey Historical Society is busy even though we cannot open the museum or make community presentations due to the pandemic.

Many things go on as normal. We have been adding to our collection with photographs, documents, and artifacts. These all must be recorded with accession records and a means to make them available to use. This process is carried out by archivists diligently going through the collection.

The Society is providing 501(c)(3) nonprofit donation pass-through status for a major project begun by Kyle Walker (See next section about the project below.)

Digitizing work on the old Island County Fair Scrapbooks continues thanks to the support of Board Member Charlie Pancerzewski and his wife, Gayle, a descendant of the pioneer Bainter, Cattron and Wainio families. These will be linked to our website, currently undergoing a redesign.

When you become a member or renew your membership to SWHS, expect to receive more newsletters with untold stories about our island. Our goal is to publish four more newsletters between now and next summer. If you or your business would like to sponsor one of these newsletters, contact us via email or phone us at (360) 221-2101.

On social media, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SouthWhidbeyHistory. More than 3,035 people currently follow our South Whidbey Historical Society posts.

Bill Haroldson, SWHS Board President

Your Support Matters
We are always grateful for financial donations. Simply click on the donation page to 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.

ONE MATCHING GRANT MET; A NEW ONE OFFERED…

Sometimes seeds are planted in young lives which continue to bear fruit years and even decades later. Such is the case with Derel Gabelein, a 32-year-old South Whidbey resident who operates his own wood slab cutting business for furniture making.(His...

Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry

This photo of the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry was likely taken in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s. Note the ferry dock first. Today if you walk off the ferry dock at low tide, you will see the remains of pilings of that dock on the north side of the current dock. The...

State Route 525 at Bayview Corner in late 1950s and after straightening it in the early 1960s

Two photos of State Route 525 - before the road was straightened (1955) and one after (1963) with views of Bayview, Deer Lagoon, Useless Bay and Double Bluff. How many landmarks can you find such as the Bayview Cash Store, Bayview Hall, the Weedin barn and house, the...