The Kitsap Peninsula and its many communities are proud of their diverse history. Start your exploration of the story of Kitsap below with links to the many museums, hidden treasures and other valuable resources.

View Museums Kitsap in a larger map

Point No Point Lighthouse Park & Vacation Rental
c/o U.S. Lighthouse Society,
9005 Point No Point RD NE, Hansville, WA 98340
(360) 337-5350 (park)
(415) 362-7255 (vacation rental)
A treasure of the Kitsap Peninsula, the Point No Point Lighthouse Park includes Washington’s oldest lighthouse, pristine sandy beaches, miles of hiking and manicured lawns for picnicking and relaxing. The Point is a favorite spot for bird watching and sea animal viewing. Due to its unique location, the park is a great place to watch a wide variety of maritime traffic. With the assistance of the U.S. Lighthouse Society, the historic Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters is now available as a vacation rental. The historic Point No Point Lighthouse is open to the public on a limited basis for tours on weekends during summer months.

Port Gamble Historic Museum
32400 Rainier AVE NE, Port Gamble, WA  98364
(360) 297-8074
Open May–Oct. 9:30am-5pm Daily; Nov.–April 9:30am-5pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday.  Guided Tours By appointment.  Admission charge.
The museum represents efforts to conserve and protect a special chapter in the history of the Pacific Northwest and the forest products industry. Reproductions of Captain Talbot’s cabin on the Oriental, as well as rooms from the famous Puget Hotel and Admiralty Hall. There are many heirlooms, artifacts, and photographs from the early 1800’s. The Museum also has a gift shop with books and postcards.

Suquamish Museum
15838 Sandy Hook RD, Poulsbo WA 98370
PO Box 498, Suquamish WA 98392-0498
(360) 394.8496
Open October--April 11am-4pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday. May--September 10am-5pm Daily. Guided Tours by appointment. Admission charge.
Experience the history of the Puget Sound Salish Tribes through "The Eyes of Chief Seattle" and Old-Man-House:
The People and their way of Life at D'Suq'Wub'" these exhibits along with two slide/tape shows, help the visitor understand more about the first peoples of this region. Ask the staff for a point of interest map and walk the beach where Old-Man-House once stood. Pay respect at Chief Seattle's Grave.

Naval Undersea Museum
1 Garnett WAY, Keyport, WA 98345
(360) 396-4148
Open 10am-4pm daily; Closed Tuesdays Oct.--June. Free admission.
Naval history, undersea technology, and marine science combine to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors. Largest collection of naval undersea artifacts in the United States. Major exhibits interpret the Ocean Environment, Torpedo and Mine Warfare Technology, and U.S. Submarines in WWII. Significant artifacts include all major U.S. torpedoes from the 1890s to the present, a Confederate mine from the Civil War, and a recreation of the control room of the submarine USS Greenling. Outdoor exhibits include the deep submergence vehicle Trieste II and the sail from the submarine USS Sturgeon.

Bainbridge Island Historical Society Museum
215 Ericksen AVE NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 842-2773
Open 1pm-4pm Wed.–Mon.; Closed Tuesdays. Also open 10am-1pm on Saturdays in the summer during the Farmers Market. Free first Thursdays.
The museum encompasses a research library, permanent and rotating exhibits, and a growing collection of cultural and historical photographs and artifacts. Tour award-winning exhibits in our 1908 one-room schoolhouse. Admission charged; members free; special tours or accommodations by appointment.

Poulsbo Historical Society
& Martinson Cabin Museum
PO Box 844, Poulsbo, WA 98370
360. 440.7354
Martinson Cabin Museum is located in Nelson Park at the corner of Lindvig & Viking Avenue.
Cabin Museum Summer Hours: Fri.1-4; Sat. 10-4; Sun. 1-4. The interior of the cabin and interpretive panels can be viewed from the exterior when the cabin is closed. The office/library is accessed by appointment only.
The Society works to present the people of Poulsbo, and visitors to the community, with meaningful, enriching information and experiences. It does this by providing historic walking tours, displaying exhibits in area businesses, presenting theatrical reenactments, guest lectures and other programming, and producing publications. The Martinson Cabin Museum provides an immersion experience for visitors with its display of pioneer period artifacts, photographs, and furnishings. Exterior interpretive panels provide visitors with Poulsbo's early history and the story behind the Martinsons and their restored pioneer cabin.

Clear Creek Sa’qad Interpretive Center
Great Peninsula Conservancy
Creekside Office Park
9641 Levin RD, Silverdale, WA 98383
Clear Creek Trail visitor's center with historical/environmental/native heritage exhibits and displays telling the story of Clear Creek, the valley, Silverdale and the people and animals who have lived along it through time.  Connected to nearly 6 miles of urban/rural trail in the heart of the Kitsap Peninsula.

Kitsap County Historical Society Museum
280 Fourth ST, Bremerton, WA 98337
(360) 479-6226
Open Tuesday--Saturday 10am-5pm. Open during the first Friday Artwalk until 8pm. Admission charge. First Friday of the month admission is free.
Step into the past and travel through Kitsap County from the earliest human settlements through World War II. See Native American baskets, wander through an historic "Main Street," look into a stump farm, and discover that some bunkhouses really did float. Let history weave its spell with our textile collection dating from the 1850's. Enjoy this exciting family destination! See our website for latest events and exhibit openings.

Aurora Valentinetti Puppet Museum
257 Fourth ST, Bremerton, WA 98337
(360) 373-2992
Open Wednesday--Saturday 11am-4pm. Also open for the first Friday Artwalk 5pm-8pm. Museum Shop. Admission: Donation. Tours & workshops by appointment.
A museum of theatrical puppets dedicated to puppetry, fun and education. Representing many different puppet types and different cultures from around the world. Hands-on children's activity area.

USS Turner Joy
(Bremerton Historic Ships Association)
300 Washington Beach, Bremerton, WA 98337
(360) 377-4002
Open Summer: May--September 10am-5pm daily; Winter: October--April 10am-4pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Admission charge.
USS Turner Joy (DD-951) is a restored Vietnam era destroyer that can be toured from the boiler room to the bridge. See the All Veterans POW memorial & the narrated WWII sea battles exhibit. She is the last of the Forrest Sherman class destroyers, built in Seattle & commissioned in 1959, decommissioned in 1982. The first permanent, publicly accessible, naval heritage and educational ship attraction in the Pacific Northwest. 

Puget Sound Navy Museum
251 First ST, Bremerton, WA 98337
(360) 479-7447 FAX: (360) 377-4186
Open 10am-4pm Mon.--Sat., 1pm-4pm Sunday; Closed Tuesdays October-April. Free Admission.
The Puget Sound Navy Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the naval heritage of the Pacific Northwest for the benefit of the U.S. Navy and general public. Explore the naval history of the region through exhibitions about the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the USS John C. Stennis, and much more. The museum offers a gift shop, research library, and children's area. Please call for the latest events and exhibition openings.

Elandan Gardens, Ltd
3050 W State HWY 16, Bremerton, WA 98312
(360) 373-8260
Open Tuesday--Sunday 10am-5pm. Admission charge.
A world famous bonsai collection is featured in this elegant NW garden nestled on Sinclair Inlet. Walk amongst giant Japanese Maples and specimen Rhododendrons and experience the best of Puget Sound. The garden museum features ancient trees and the work of celebrated artist Dan Robinson. Sculpture and design studios showcase artists in action. Visit the gift gallery for world class shopping.

Log Cabin Museum
416 Sidney AVE, Port Orchard, WA 98366
(360) 876-3693
Housed in an original settlers' cabin, the museum features a "family" which follow a seasonal story line depicting life in South Kitsap. The displays are changed regularly. 

Sidney Museum & Arts Association
202 Sidney AVE, Port Orchard, WA 98366
(360) 876-3693
The Sidney Museum, above the Sidney Gallery features vignettes of life in early South Kitsap County and includes a general store, school, doctor's office and hardware store.  There are also plenty of photographs of Port Orchard through the years. 

Puget Sound Genealogical Society
2501 SE Mile Hill DR, Suite A 102, Port Orchard, WA 98366-0805
Mail: PO Box 1931, Port Orchard, WA 98366
(360) 874-8813
Library is open 10am-3pm Tuesday, Thursday--Saturday
"Preserving family history through education and research." Our research library contains a substantial collection of national and international holdings and features a Northwest Room. Films, workshops, classes, and special events are scheduled monthly. Research help available. General meetings with featured speakers are held once a month. Phone for meeting place directions. Donations appreciated.

Harbor History Museum
4218 Harborview DR, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 858-6722
Open Tuesday--Sunday 10am-5pm, except major holidays.
Featuring hands-on exhibits, larger-than-life experiences and dynamic programming. The museum's permanent gallery invites visitors to explore the history of the Gig Harbor Peninsula, meet the Native Americans who lived along the shores and the early pioneers who created new communities, and discover the growth and change along the waterfront. New temporary exhibit every 3-6 months on topics of local, regional and national interest. In the Maritime Gallery, view the onsite restoration of the 65-foot 1925 purse seine fishing vessel Shenandoah, and the historic Thunderbird #1 sailing boat. The restored 1893 one-room Midway School is also onsite and open to the public. The museum also offers a gift shop, research room, and special events throughout the year.