Now & Then / March 2014

Now & Then Mar ch 2014

Inside this issue: Whidbey Sketchers Visit Museum

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Annual Meeting to

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Come Watch Whales & Support our Museum

feature Senior Curator of Hibulb Cultural Center from Tulalip Waldorf Fourth 4 Graders Look at Local history Volunteers Needed

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New Web Site about to be Launched

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Have You Renewed Your membership? your Membership South Whidbey Historical Society

312 2nd St. PO Box 612 Langley WA

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On Saturday Afternoon of April 19th, a fund raising whale watching trip will be held to support our Museum and Historical Society. Come take a comfortable cruise aboard the Mystic Sea and travel the waters of Saratoga Passage and Possession Sound. Watch the gray whales as they take their spring break off of Whidbey Island on their annual migration northward. Snacks and refreshments will be available. The boat will leave and return from Langley and will last about three hours.

The cost is $50.00 of which $17.50 is tax deductable. To purchase tickets call the Museum at 360 221 2101. Leave your telephone number on the answering machine. In that the office is not manned someone will get back to you within a couple of days. You may also purchase tickets at the museum in Langley when we are open on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM..

Historical Document found in Society While reorganizing the society’s archives, an intriguing document signed by Ulysses S Grant emerged.

The document grants 170 acres of land to Charles W Sparks in Island County, Washington Territory, October 1st 1875. Peter Van Giesen, a retired surveyor offered to research the document to ascertain its validity. He questioned the seal in the lower left hand corner because it was not embossed. Also, the use of red ink on the document and the land description was not written properly. His research validated the homestead grant to be accurate. The next questions included where is this 170 acres and who was Charles W Sparks? The property is located between Maxwelton and Bayview north of Ewing Road and Southwest of intersection between Ewing road and Sills road. Charles W Sparks was born in Maine in 1822 and died May 15 th, 1906 in Port Ludlow. He was active in pioneer movements that perpetuated early History. His grandson Floyd Sparks who lived between 1894 and 1966 was an Indianapolis race car driver. The document itself is not an original but a copy and not actually signed by the President of the United States. Even though it may not bring high value on the Antique Road Show, it is an invaluable piece of Island history.

Whidbey Sketchers Visit Museum

Members of the Whidbey Island Sketchers spent two afternoons sketching in and around the museum.

The Sketchers are “a group of people on Whidbey Island who love to draw. We're all about learning from one another, showcasing the unique character (and characters) of Whidbey Island, and most importantly - having fun.” (Sue Van Etten).

The group grew out of a drawing class given by local artist Faye Castle in 2009. “We’re all very relaxed and don’t take ourselves too seriously Van Etten said.”

Several sketches by Faye Castle are shown below. Additional information and sketches can be seen on their website whidbeyislandsketchers.blogspot.com

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Yes, she does look rather spacey.... but then she's been sitting there a long time. I wonder how old

“Tools and gadgets of every kind.”

Annual meeting to feature Senior Curator of the Hibulb Cultural Center from Tulalip

The annual meeting of the South Whidbey Historical Society will be held at the Baby Island Saratoga Community Club at 1:00PM on Sunday April 27th. The meeting is open to the public and we encourage you to bring friends.

Come and hear Tessa Campbell, Senior Curator of the Hibulb Cultural Center & Natural History Preserve in Tulalip. She will provide an introduction into the Tulalip Tribes and the Hibulb Cultural Center.

The legacies of the people that make up the Tulalip tribes to the history of Whidbey Island go back beyond written time.

The Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve is dedicated to those who have gone home and to those who have remained to keep the fires burning. The interactive displays at the Cultural Center introduce you to the legacy of the Tulalip people by giving you an historic perspective of the bands that make up the Tulalip Tribes. Stories are told in Lushootseed and English. The Canoe Hall gives the sense of the importance of the canoe to the culture of the Tulalip people is displayed in this expansive transitional area that gives visitors a sense of the local waters as used for transportation. As you walk through the Canoe Hall you will experience our homelands from the mountains to Tulalip Bay. Featured in the Canoe Hall are historic canoes and archaeology from various sites throughout Snohomish County.

Here on Whidbey Island we all recognize the story pole carved by William Shelton on the fairgrounds in Langley. Here is a quote from this famous tribal leader: “They told me stories which would create in me the desire to become brave, and good, and strong, to become a good speaker, a good leader, they taught me to honor old people and always do all in my power to help them.”

—William Shelton, Tulalip Tribal Leader (1868–1938) Ms. Campbell will also describe the current programs at Hibulb and give us a collection overview – photos of objects in HCC’s collection.

A brief annual meeting of the membership of the South Whidbey Historical Society will follow the presentation. Dessert refreshments will be provided.

South Whidbey Historical Society Board Members President: Bill Haroldson Vice President: Dan Prewitt Secretary: Carol Ryan

Waldorf Fourth Graders Look at local History A group of Fourth Graders from the Waldorf School spent an afternoon visiting the museum. They were tasked with choosing two items that interested them and sketching them.

They fanned out, drew, ate lunch, and then went on a walking history tour of Langley led by Bob Waterman. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience and sent wonderful thank you notes.

Treasurer: Ed Diamond Saranell DeChambeau Betty Discher JoAnn Gilbert Joan Handy Sue Hoelscher Carol Olsen Bruce Towne Bob Waterman Craig Williams Honorary Board Members Linda Beeman Dick Hall Marion Henny Winnie McLeod

Volunteers Needed The South Whidbey Historical Society is seeking volunteers to keep the museum in operation and to record and preserve the history of South Whidbey Island. Docents are always needed when the museum is open. Many of our docents have unique backgrounds who share in the history of the island with visitors. It might be to help in the office to get a mailing out. Maybe you have some computer skills to keep our new web site up to date. Could you help produce our newsletter? Our board is always looking for individuals with fresh ideas to guide us into the future.

If you can volunteer in any way, simply contact us. We will take it from there.

The South Whidbey Historical Society about to Launch a Totally New Web Site The South Whidbey Historical Society has been working diligently to produce a new and exciting new web site. It will have features that will allow you to explore through Whidbey Island history and more.

The new site will enable us to communicate and interact with our membership and the community that has an interest in the history of Whidbey Island. The web address is the same as we have always had: Make the site a favorite and look for the launching within the next few weeks. www.southwhidbeyhistory.org

Have You Renewed Your Membership?

If you still need to renew your membership and/or make a donation, simply fill in the enclosed membership form and mail back in the enclosed envelope. If you can volunteer use the same form and mail it to us.