NEAH BAY — Hundreds of people visited the Makah Cultural and Research Center over the weekend during the museum’s 25th anniversary.
“Today, I am really proud to be a Makah,” said Makah Tribal Chairman Ben Johnson Jr.
Tribal members held an array of activities to celebrate the anniversary, including free museum admission and tours, artist demonstrations, a new museum exhibit and a community dinner.
During Saturday’s salmon dinner, which was attended by about 200 people, Makah officials honored those who helped found the museum.
“It makes you get a bit teary eyed to see all the people who were involved with the museum,” Johnson said, “and to remember those who were involved but who are gone now.”
1970 discovery
The museum opened in 1979, but its roots stretch back to the winter of 1970 when tidal erosion caused a chunk of land to fall off Ozette Island.
Ozette was a known Makah whaling village, and the erosion revealed a longhouse buried centuries ago by a mudslide.
Makah tribal officials approved an archaeological excavation. Washington State University archaeologist Richard Daugherty oversaw an 11-year process to remove more than 55,000 artifacts from a portion of the site.
In 1973, as more and more artifacts were uncovered, tribal officials realized they needed a museum to preserve their culture and allow others to view part of the tribe’s history.
The Makah Tribal Council contributed $500,000, and a $2 million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration paid for the rest.
“When Dr. Daugherty started excavation in the spring of 1970, he thought we would be finished by the fall of 1970,” said Makah Cultural and Research Center Executive Director Janine Bowechop.
“But 11 years later, items were still being found.”
Daugherty, 82, traveled from his Lacey home during the weekend to tour the museum and celebrate with old friends.