Take a trip to Whidbey’s past

  • By Tanya Sampson / Herald Writer
  • Thursday, February 2, 2006 9:00pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

The Island County Historical Society and Museum unveils its newest exhibit Saturday.

“Our Towns,” a look at Island County’s history.

When: Saturday through 2007

Where: Island County Historical Museum: 908 NW Alexander, Coupeville

Cost: $3, $2.50 seniors, students, military, $6 family of three or more

Information: 360-678-3310, www.islandhistory.org

Upper Skagit Bald Eagle Festival

When: Events begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Concrete, Rockport, Marblemount, Newhalem

Information: 360-853-7283, www.skagiteagle.org

“Our Towns” takes visitors on a trip through Whidbey Island’s past. The exhibit explores the diverse history of the island’s towns and communities from the mid-19th century to the present.

Through 2007, visitors can peruse historical photographs, island maps, pioneer diaries and historic items. Additionally, oral accounts of the island’s early days of settlement will educate visitors on the changes seen throughout the years.

Using furniture and other items from the collection, curator Joan Handy has re-created a late 19th century kitchen and front parlor room showing visitors how pioneers lived. The rooms are on display in the main gallery. Additional displays include permanent exhibits about local maritime and American Indian history, and a large mammoth bone collection.

Some Whidbey cities highlighted in the exhibit are Clinton, Freeland and Oak Harbor.

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Upper Skagit Bald Eagle Festival: For those looking to escape Super Bowl XL madness, the 19th annual Upper Skagit Bald Eagle Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday along the upper Skagit River.

Throughout the weekend, events welcoming the bald eagles to their winter feeding grounds take place in Concrete, Rockport, Marblemount and Newhalem.

This year’s theme, “A River of Life,” celebrates the return of hundreds of wintering eagles to the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area, an area that spans more than 10,000 acres. The protected land encompasses a diverse estuarine ecosystem, including forested uplands, the main stem of the Skagit, Sauk and Suiattle rivers.

Highlights of the two-day festival include environmental and conservation speakers, three-hour eagle tours, live music, art shows and a live raptor show by Sarvey Wildlife.

Visitors can enjoy an American Indian flute circle gathering led by Pete Ali at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by “Celebrating the River of Life,” an evening of photographs, songs, drumming and dancing with Peter Donaldson and his presentation of “Salmon Boy: A Traditional Legend … with Lessons for Today.” Both events take place at Concrete Elementary School.

The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center will provide visitors with guided walks, slide shows, and guest speaker presentations. The staff and volunteers share local information about eagle viewing and the area.

The bald eagles return to the area each year to feed on thousands of spawning salmon. The birds travel from as far north as the Yukon and Alaska. The migration peaks from mid-December to late January.

Old photographs of the Langley dock (top) and Oak Harbor (above) are included in a new exhibit at the Island County Historical Society and Museum.

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