Local history comes to BIB - News Roundup

Local history comes to BIB

The Bainbridge Island Historical Society and Bainbridge Island Broadcasting signed a contract last week to collaborate on a new series of programs on island history.

The first program features Junkoh Harui, whose father came to the island at the turn of the 20th century. The family went on to found Bainbridge Gardens, which has become a regional botanical resource and visitor destination.

The program is one of eight videos the Historical Society provided to the public access broadcast channel as part of BIHS’ winter outreach program.

Entitled “Our History, Ourselves,” the series will help BIHS maintain a presence in the community during the next several months while its museum is closed, said George Bussell, Historical Society president.

The museum will be moved next month from Strawberry Hill Park to a new location on Ericksen Avenue and is expected to reopen in late spring.

Reid Hansen, longtime Historical Society board member, and volunteer Joan Sutliff put the series together.

Other programs in the series include the story of the “Vigilant,” a four-masted schooner, told by Gail Smith, island pioneer who died earlier this year.

Two films discuss the Port Blakely Mill Company and the town it built around the island’s southern-most harbor.

In other segments, Charles Lindenberg talks about his days as a student at the Puget Sound Naval Academy on Rolling Bay during and after World War II. Members of the Lee family tell the story of Fort Ward and about the buildings that survive the fort’s military days.

“We really appreciate having the Historical Society make these films available to the greater community,” said Wendy Johnson, BIB executive director.

“Bainbridge residents made it clear in a survey taken by the Bainbridge Economic Community that (they want to) learn about our history.

“Our history defines who we are.”

BIB has scheduled the broadcasts at 8 p.m. Thursday nights. Johnson said the station will also show the films at other times during the week when air time is available.

BIHS is currently documenting its video collection, and hopes to identify other films that can be added to the BIB series.

A kid-friendly New Year’s Eve

The BHS Future Business Leaders of America and the Bainbridge Island Boys and Girls Club offer island parents a chance to celebrate New Year’s Eve without worrying about the kids.

The two groups have organized a New Year’s sleepover for children K-6 at the Boys and Girls Club in the Aquatics Center.

The kid-friendly activities begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 31; children should be picked up by 9 a.m. Jan. 1. Cost is $120 for the first child, $100 for each additional child; club members receive a discount of $20 per child. Register by 6 p.m. Dec. 29 with BIBGC, 855-8486.

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