JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORIC SOCIETY BARBARA MARSEILLE ENDOWMENT FUND
The Jefferson County Historical Society has established an endowment in honor of former long-time board member, JCHS president, and historical preservation advocate Barbara Marseille.
Barbara served on the city’s Historic Preservation Committee where she helped draft ordinances and design codes to protect Port Townsend’s historic character. She created the city’s historic colors pallet and served on the Main Street Design Committee. Through the historical society, she launched the vital Jefferson County Historic Properties Survey and was instrumental in securing Certified Local Government status for the City of Port Townsend. A staunch advocate for historic preservation and an excellent role model, Barbara Marseille leaves behind a legacy of beautiful spaces and a grateful community.
The Jefferson County Historical Society Barbara Marseille Endowment exists to support the Historical Research Center, a facility that was created largely through Barbara’s efforts. Bill Tennent, JCHS Executive Director says, “The Marseille family is very pleased that Barbara’s hard work to establish the Research Center is being honored in a manner that will continue to carry out her vision for the Center."
HISTORICAL SOCIETY RESEARCH CENTER NEARS COMPELETION
Funds generated by the Barbara Marseille Endowment at the Jefferson County Community Foundation are earmarked for support of the Jefferson County Historical Society Research Center. Barbara was instrumental in establishing the Research Center to hold the society’s half million documents related to the history of Jefferson County. The center opened in 2003 and was soon crowded with researchers and artifacts calling for more space. A major expansion of the facility is nearing completion, on time and on budget. The nearly 9,000 square foot addition will join the original 2,000 square foot building creating additional room for researchers and collections. The new wing will house all of the society’s artifacts, a conservation laboratory, and an exhibit prep room. Separately monitored areas will provide optimal environments for the various artifacts being housed whether they are photographs, textiles, wood, or metal. Housing all of the historical society’s collections on one site will allow researchers to access three dimensional artifacts along with paper documents. The Jefferson County Genealogical Society, a partner in the Research Center operation, will gain more space for its work in the original building.
The $1.6 million structure was completely funded by generous donations from local residents and major grants from the Washington State Heritage Capital Projects Fund, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Seattle Foundation, Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, and the Norcliffe Foundation.
Even as the finishing touches are being added to the building, the relocation of artifacts from temporary storage spaces around Port Townsend has begun. Moving thousands of artifacts will take several months, but the historical society promises a major public grand opening when the move is completed. “This is an exciting advance for heritage preservation and we invite the public to share that excitement,” said Julie Marston, JCHS president.
To get more information, or to give to this fund, please click here.
