Bainbridge History Museum

The Mission of the Bainbridge History Museum is to preserve and share the stories of Bainbridge Island to promote a greater understanding of our community and the world in which we live.

Bainbridge Island Historical Society began informally in the 1930’s as part of the Kitsap County Historical Society. In 1971, the Society acquired a historic one-room schoolhouse, which was refitted to house the Society’s collections. In 1978, The Bainbridge Island Historical Museum became a distinct entity, gaining non-profit 501(c)(3) status in 1988. In 2004, the Schoolhouse was moved to its present location in Winslow, close to the Island’s ferry terminal. Our award-winning exhibits illustrate the Island’s past as a center of the lumber and shipbuilding industries, and later as an important strawberry-growing center. We tell the story of the forced removal of the Island’s large Japanese American population during WWII.

The Museum is open every day of the week. Volunteer docents present a variety of exhibits to local, national and international visitors. Each year we receive approximately 20,000 visitors, who come from all over the world. . We help educators, writers and researchers locate and interpret historical source material using our collection of more than 18,000 artifacts, digital images, books and maps. In the last 10 years, we’ve received 15 local, statewide, or national awards for our publications, exhibits and events. The Washington State Museums Association has recognized us with more awards than any other museum in Washington.