Jefferson County Historical Society
JCHS Mission: To actively discover, collect, preserve, and promote the heritage of
Jefferson County in the State of Washington.

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Cover of new book, Port Townsend

Images of America:
 Port Townsend
(Click on image for more information.)

 

Jefferson County Historical Society
540 Water Street
Port Townsend, WA  98368
360-385-1003


contact us

New Exhibit

Historic view of Tom Yarr and his first cow
 Deep Roots
 Jefferson county’s Agricultural Heritage and Future

In the mid 1800s, immense forests and free land for homesteading brought people from around the world to the Olympic Peninsula. Mild temperatures and plentiful rainfall should have provided a farmer’s paradise.

East Jefferson County’s rolling landscape and rocky soils proved more suitable for grazing than tilling. Dairy farms became the most successful and enduring agricultural operations in the county.

Farmer's Market poster illustrationNew farmers are an emerging part of Jefferson County’s economic, environmental and cultural landscape.  The family-scale dairies that still dominate the countryside are being joined by more intensive row crop and greenhouse and nursery operations. More local farmers are planting fruit trees and berry crops and raising sheep, goats and chickens. Responding to customer demand, many are farming organically.

This new exhibit explores a rich faming heritage and the present day movement to preserve farmland and salmon streams and grow more and more foods locally.

The Museum is open daily, 11:00 to 4:00.