$10 Million Capital Allocation for 18 HERITAGE CAPITAL PROJECTS – 4 OF WHICH
ARE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY! (PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2025)
OLYMPIA—2025-27 BIENNIUM SESSION FUNDS 18 WASHINGTON ORGANIZATIONS.
In a show of solidarity, representatives from each of the 18 ranked projects formed a coalition to meet with lawmakers about securing full funding for all applicants: The 30-year program is administered by the Washington State Historical Society. Projects are selected after rigorous review and vetted by a panel of experts from multiple disciplines, including economic and community development, heritage and historic preservation, and architecture.
This year’s finalists include an impressive four projects in Jefferson County, as follows:
THE SCHOONER MARTHA – awarded $142,000. In many ways, Schooner Martha is in better shape today than she was in 1907 when she launched. With each passing year, Martha’s history becomes more significant. Now, with a network of supporters and a community of people dedicated to her stewardship, the next phase of her restoration is to rebuild the cabin and house top (above waterline restoration). While the Schooner Martha Foundation has accomplished maintenance projects, and remedial work in this area, the house remains original to the 1907 construction and is in need of reconstruction and restoration. The Heritage Capital Project fund will aid the housetop and above waterline restoration with $142,000. This is vital to the effort to preserve and protect Schooner Martha, and ensuring she is sailing well into the future. More information available at: www.schoonermartha.org – Schooner Martha is currently docked inside Point Hudson Marina.
THE PORT OF PORT TOWNSEND – awarded $1,000,000.00. The Port of Port Townsend looks to further rehabilitate its historic Point Hudson campus through a comprehensive re-roofing project over nine buildings (over 40,000 square feet of roof surface) including the abatement of 28,500 square feet of existing original asbestos-containing roof tiles. Point Hudson, established as a National Quarantine Facility by the United States Government in 1935, one of only three of its kind, has been the host to many different agencies and uses over the years, but has been under Port ownership since the 1950’s. The campus is one of the most iconic settings of Washington’s National Maritime Heritage Area and is also in Port Townsend’s Downtown National Historic District.
THE NORTHWEST SCHOOL OF WOODEN BOATBUILDING – awarded $498,000.00. The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding preserves traditional skills through active practice, with 50 – 60 fulltime post-secondary students each year learning hands-on craftsmanship involved in boatbuilding and marine systems. This project focuses on the rehabilitation of seven recently acquired historic cottages now used for student housing and it builds connections between the cottages and the rest of the campus through signage, paths, and lighting. The cottages add to the historic character of the working waterfront in Lower Hadlock in combination with the school’s two historic waterfront buildings and the Galster House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY – awarded $269,000.00. JCHS is embarking on a transformative project to reimagine the Museum of Art + History in the historic 1892 City Hall building in Port Townsend, Washington. The project has two key components: modifications to our historic building to ensure all spaces are accessible for all visitors, and the fabrication and installation of
permanent exhibition infrastructure to serve as the ongoing foundation for dynamic, community-based exhibits. These efforts are part of a strategic, long-term goal to revitalize and sustain interest in and engagement with the diverse art and history of this region.
The Heritage Capital Projects Fund was established by a statutory authority in 1995 (WAC 255-02-010 & RCW 27.34.330). The Heritage Capital Projects Program promotes economic development, fosters stewardship and historic preservation, and provides education and community space for several million residents, visitors, and students annually. Over its 30-year life, the state has invested over $106 million to support 421 projects. These projects have been matched by $212 million in local and private investment. Each dollar invested by the state is
matched 2:1 by the projects. In 2025-27, it will generate $36.5 million in matching funds, multiplying the state’s investment by 400%, and creating an economic boost of $60.9 million, including $5 million in local sales tax revenue. This program delivers an extraordinary return on investment.
OTHER AWARDEES INCLUDE—FRIENDS OF MUKAI, METRO PARKS TACOMA, COLUMBIA THEATRE, KITTITAS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC., WESTERN FOREST INDUSTRIES MUSEUM, WENATCHEE VALLEY MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER, THE MUSEUM OF FLIGHT, GRAYS HARBOR HISTORICAL SEAPORT (LADY WASHINGTON RESTORATION), YMCA OF GREATER SEATTLE, FOSS WATERWAY
SEAPORT, KITSAP HISTORY MUSEUM, MOUNT BAKER THEATRE, BAINBRIDGE HISTORY MUSEUM, and CITY OF OLYMPIA.
To learn more about all 18 Funded Projects: https://director9675.wixsite.com/waheritagecoalition
