PORT TOWNSEND — Whether it’s the Rose Theatre or a crooked 100-year-old barn, the Jefferson County Historical Society wants to document it.
The society has joined with the city of Port Townsend, Jefferson County and state Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to survey and document all existing historical structures in Jefferson County.
Now the society is recruiting local history and architecture enthusiasts to help for future historical research.
“It’s an important project and we have a small group of volunteers willing to undertake it, but we can always use more,” said Bill Tennent Jefferson County Historical Society director.
Besides the ongoing systematic survey of Jefferson County historical buildings, the society plans to resume documentation of aging barns throughout the county.
“It’s especially important that we get the barns documented soon,” said Barbara Marseille, Jefferson County Historical Society trustee, “because we lose a few more each year. They just collapse.”
Observing its style
Surveying involves exterior observation and recording a building’s architectural style.
Survey organizers train volunteers to be proficient in style identification and architectural terminology during seminars and field trips.
Information is recorded in a special database available to Jefferson County Historical Society, city, county and state archaeology office.
Recorded information is available to the public at the society’s research center, 13692 Airport Cutoff Road.
Volunteers can also contact Tennent at 360-385-1003.