Museum's busy summer in Quilcene

Quilcene’s Worthington Park hosted three very popular public events this summerthat set attendance records for the park. The events represented a range of activities that demonstrated the Park’s full potential to the community and region.

In June, the gravel bicycle race, Bon Jon Pedal Bender, drew 175 participants braving record high temperatures. In partnership with Peninsula Adventure Sports, the Quilcene Historical Museum hosted this largest of three Olympic Peninsula Gravel Races - drawing 98% of its registrants from outside Jefferson County. The bikers had the option to ride three different courses up into the eastern Olympics National Forest and wilderness areas - starting and finishing at Worthington Park.

Three weeks later the Park hosted its first event. Skokomish tribe representatives began the day with a land acknowledgement ceremony, song and prayer. Then the crowd enjoyed a circus performance by Up, Up, Up, and wrapped up the evening under the stars with an outdoor movie, Up. Families spread blankets and camp chairs over the meadow with free popcorn as they enjoyed the movie. This event attracted close to 500 visitors - a record for the park since it’s beginning in 2015.

Most recently, the Quilcene Historical Museum hosted its annual Tasting Gala at the Park also drawing a record number of attendees, vendors, regional vintners and distillers. The theme was Beach Party and included a steel drum performer. Visitors were able to escape the heat in the cool park setting as they sat under a broad tree canopy alongside the historic mansion and pond.

Worthington Park has two major events planned for the fall with the Oyster Races half marathon (September 19) and our annual Harvest Festival later in the fall. The Quilcene Historical Museum is currently planning with area partners to host additional public events in the newly restored mansion over the winter while also providing overnight accommodations.

With the restoration of the Victorian mansion, the Hamilton-Worthington House now complete, the Quilcene Historical Museum has laid the final groundwork for

a fully operational events center in the fall of 2021. Worthington Park is a oneof-a-kind historical and cultural destination with an active museum, restored Victorian mansion, outdoor performing arts theater, and ten acres of beautiful grounds. The museum remains a 501(c)3 nonprofit, operating without debt, staffed and led by volunteers - with over 37,000 hours of volunteer effort to date.

The museum has expanded its operating hours on the weekends to accommodate increased visitor numbers - offering tours of the mansion and museum. The Museum installed a painting collection, on loan from donors, of Northwest artists (1845 to early 1900's) at the Hamilton-Worthington House. The vision for Worthington Park is to create a gathering place for visitors to celebrate the history, natural beauty, and unique character of our region. 2021 will be a watershed year to deliver on that vision.

For additional details on the Quilcene Historical Museum and Worthington Park go to: WorthingtonParkQuilcene.org