Museum focuses on KP communities

The new banner with this year’s theme will grace the museum porch in February. Photo courtesy Christine Anderson

“One of the primary goals of the Key Peninsula Historical Society is to share the history of the Key with our community,”says current program coordinator Christine Anderson. “We are currently working on two such opportunities: the new display opening in February plus a special promotion in Key Center.”

The new exhibit is “The Story of the Key Peninsula –– Its Past –– Its People ––Its Places.” 

According to Anderson, in the late 1800s the shoreline communities of the Key Peninsula began to grow. “The museum display willfocus on three institutionsthat sprang up in each area: schools, stores and community halls,”she said.

Where families settled, schools soon followed. By the 1890s most Key Peninsula students attended a one-room schoolhouse, although earlier ones included homes and a tent.

Mercantile stores were built close to community floats and docks, since all merchandise had to be transported by boat.                                 

Anderson said as communities grew, residents looked for the opportunities to build permanent community gathering places, and halls were erected, often serving several functions.

The new exhibit is made possible through the support of Key Peninsula Parks Department and the Friends of the Key Peninsula Historical Society.

KPHS purchased banners and informational posters through a grant from the Pierce County Landmarks and Preservation Commission. The first ones told the story of the first hundred years of logging on the Key Peninsula. A new banner with this year’s theme has now been obtained.

Don Stolz, owner of the Food Market in Key Center, is sponsoring a storefront displayof these posters in the windows next to Figaro's Pizza in Key Center.

The museum has permanent displays relating to Key Peninsula history, many albums of photos and stories to browse through, as well as local history books, toys and other items for sale.

The museum opens on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1-4 p.m., with the new exhibits on display.

Regular open hours are Tuesdays and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m., February through November. Free admission. For information, call 888-3246.