SATURDAY JULY 29, 2023
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
The Port of Skagit County, the Skagit County Historical Museum, and the Sedro-Woolley Museum are proud to present our second public history preservation event at Northern State to gather oral histories and stories from the people who worked, lived at, or have connections with the hospital. Come hear speakers who worked at Northern State, take a self-guided outdoor walking tour, record your own memories, share your photos and artifacts, and more! Admission is free. Events meet outside the Colman building on the Northern State Campus. Public parking available. Access to the inside of buildings prohibited.
Click here to view a photo-timeline of Northern State.
Hear the Stories
At Public History Days, we'll hear from speakers who lived or worked at Northern State Hospital. Come listen to the stories, ask questions, and learn the history of the hospital.
Books on Northern State Hospital will be available for purchase at the event, and are also available at the Skagit County Historical Museum or the Sedro-Woolley Museum.
Share Your Memories
Schedule a short appointment at the event, or at the Skagit County Historical Museum to record your memories with museum volunteers, who will ask simple questions about what you remember about Northern State Hospital and make a recording. Even short recollections are welcome.
To make an appointment, call the Skagit Historical Museum at (360) 466-3365.
Bring Your Artifacts
Have an object or item connected to the hospital? Museum volunteers would like to take photos of your artifacts. Bring your item to share, and take it home with you again. Or consider donating your artifact to the museum, so it may be preserved for all to enjoy.
For more information on artifact photographing or donation, call the Skagit Historical Museum at (360) 466-3365.
Scan Your Photos
Have photos of Northern State Hospital from years gone by? We'd love to see them! Museum volunteers will carefully scan your photos, record the story behind them, and return them to you.
Thank you for helping us preserve Northern State Hospital history!
Take a Self-Guided Outdoor Tour
Wondering what the buildings were used for? Northern State Researcher A. Muia authored a 28-page Hub Drive outdoor walking tour booklet in full color, including the history and function of the buildings, historical highlights, patient voices, interior and exterior photographs, a campus map, and more.
Walking tour booklets will be on sale at the event, and can also be purchased at the Sedro-Woolley Museum and the Skagit County Historical Museum for $5.00.
Volunteer
The museums are always looking for volunteers!
Become a docent, greet guests, help work on displays, and assist with special events. Contact Ann Skupniewitz-Maroney at the Skagit County Historical Museum (360-466-3365, annm@co.skagit.wa.us), or Sharon Howe at the Sedro-Woolley Museum (360-855-2390).
speaker schedule
10:00 am :: A. Muia, Northern State Hospital researcher - history of NSH
10:30 am :: Kris Goodan, daughter of superintendent Dr. Jones - growing up at NSH
11:30 am :: Seattle Times - documentary and recent media coverage
12:30 pm :: Arne Erickson, former NSH nurse
1:30 pm :: Mary McGoffin, author of "Under the Red Roof"
2:30 pm :: John Horne, Friends of Northern State Hospital Facebook - buildings and cemetery
3:30 pm :: Port of Skagit - Northern State today Q&A
event parking
Please follow the signs. Events meet outside the Coleman Building. Yellow parking areas are available to the public while visiting the SWIFT Center (Northern State Hospital campus). Parking along Hub Drive should be head-in to maximize space. There is a parking lot adjacent to the chapel/Hub building.
