THE BAINBRIDGE ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THEIR NEW PRIMARY EXHIBIT Our Community: Past to Present

Margaret Millmore | Posted on April 20, 2022 |

The Bainbridge Island Historical Museum’s dynamic new primary exhibit, Our Community: Past to Present, will open to the public on Friday, May 6, 2022. The Museum plans to celebrate this milestone achievement with a day of celebration and community.

Our Community: Past to Present (OCPP) will illuminate diverse, beloved, and previously untold stories about Bainbridge Island and the communities of people who live, work, and play here. This is an ambitious project that will combine historical content and hands-on learning activities for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

OPENING DAY Activities – Friday, May 6 2022 10am-6:00pm

10:00 am: Opening prayer vocalization by the Bainbridge Island Bahá’ís Faith group
1:00 pm: Hand drum song to honor Indipino and Filipino Ancestors facilitated by the Indipino Community of Bainbridge Island and Vicinity.
2:00 pm: Spin the wheel to hear from members of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community Past to Present. Enter a drawing for a free BIJAC t-shirt.
3:30 pm: Community reception with remarks by Bainbridge Island Historical Museum staff and refreshments catered by Fig & Spice.

Director of Exhibits & Engagement, Merilee Mostov, led all aspects of project design and curation of the exhibit. OCPP is organized in distinct sections; each one showcases a different BI community, or group of people linked by heritage, work, hobby, or other association. Each section will be filled with authentic cultural materials, photos, oral and video recordings, and text.

The inaugural exhibit features 13 Island communities: African American, Business, Faith, Food, Filipino American, Forestry, Indipino, Japanese American, Pride, Maritime Transportation, Military, Pickleball, and Suquamish.

In order to showcase the many, diverse Bainbridge Island communities, the exhibit will not be stagnant. Although information about each community will always be available on the Museum website and in the research library, 1 – 2 sections of the exhibit will change every other year to make space for more community stories.

OCPP reflects the perspectives and lived experiences of these community members who contributed their time and knowledge to this project as Community Exhibit Advisors:

This exhibit was made possible by generous financial or in-kind donations from the following individuals and organizations. BIHM is proud and grateful for their support.

While the Schoolhouse building is closed for installation until the opening on May 6th, the Museum remains open to visitors Wed-Sun 10am-4pm and is free of charge to the public.

Information provided by Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, Contacts:
Brianna Kosowitz, Executive Director 206-842-2773 x5
Merilee Mostov, Director of Exhibits & Engagement 206-842-2773 x4