Harbor History Museum offers visitors an engaging look into the history of the Gig Harbor Peninsula. The museum features permanent exhibit galleries, a Special Exhibitions Gallery with 4-5 changing exhibits each year, a restored 1893 one-room schoolhouse, and a 65-foot purse seiner fishing vessel, along with the first Thunderbird sailboat ever built. Guests can explore the resource room and gift shop, while a dedicated collections storage area ensures the safe keeping of the museum's artifacts. Visitors appreciate the friendly and knowledgeable volunteers who provide helpful insights into the exhibits and local history. The museum is well laid out, not too crowded, and has interactive displays, making it suitable for families and children. Admission is free, and members of the Washington State History Museum can enter with their membership card. Overall, Harbor History Museum is a great spot for a quick, informative visit.
Had a great time at the museum! A fun combo of artifacts and the kids loved having a guided tour of the fishing boat Shenandoah with our extremely knowledgeable docent. Would recommend!
August 2026
Great little local history museum. Stopped on our way back to Seattle and enjoyed the exhibitions and the tour of the fishing boat. My only complaint is that the docents were a little too chatty; it was hard to explore the museum at our own pace.
August 2026
Learn about the history of this part of Puget Sound: shipbuilding, fisheries, and The Mosquito Fleet. There's a large restored old-timey ship and other interesting harbor artifacts and displays. Spend about an hour here.
