Port Gamble is a place I once thought many people outside of Washington and even some residents of the state had never heard of. For years, this small town in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. has been called a hidden gem, but when I recently revisited it after a long absence, I was in for a surprise.
I saw plenty of folks strolling the maple- and elm-lined streets, soaking up the historical ambiance, admiring the breathtaking views and checking out the various shops and cafes. It was obvious that word had gotten out about Port Gamble and though it’s still a gem, it’s no longer a secret.
But that shouldn’t stop you from paying a visit to this charming locale, one of the best-preserved historic towns in the state. Just know you won’t have the place to yourself as I did decades ago.
Location
Located at the northern tip of Washington State’s Kitsap Peninsula, on the shores of picturesque Hood Canal, Port Gamble is an easy day trip from the Seattle area. And for travelers heading to the Olympic Peninsula via Bainbridge Island or the Kitsap Peninsula, it makes a nice stopover.
Getting To Port Gamble
From Seattle, you’ll need to take a 35-minute ferry to Bainbridge Island and then an 18-mile drive to Port Gamble. Or if you’re north of the city in Edmonds, you’ll take a 30-minute ferry ride to Kingston, which is on the Kitsap Peninsula, followed by a quick 7-mile ride.
The ferry is a fun part of the journey, as it’ll make you feel like you’re going somewhere far away even though the distance is minimal. And the scenery from the boat is always a treat.
Town History Museum
To provide some background about this unique community, head to the Port Gamble Historic Museum. You’ll travel back in time and learn that Port Gamble was founded in 1853 by Pope & Talbot’s Puget Mill Company.
Owners Josiah Keller, William Talbot and Andrew Pope developed the historic mill town to support the sawmills that produced lumber for the world market. The company was a leader in both the lumbering and shipping industries.
Port Gamble was modeled to reflect the New England style of East Machias, Maine, the founders’ hometown. This included steepled churches and gabled clapboard houses with steep roofs and white picket fences.
Over the years, some of these buildings were updated with more stylish designs, particularly when the railroad came in and connected the region to the East Coast. Still, it was apparent to anyone who came to Port Gamble that the New England style, while modified, was (and still is) prevalent.
Claim To Fame
In 1995, Pope & Talbot decided to close the mill. Until that time, it had the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating mill in North America.
Eleven years later, Port Gamble was declared a National Historic Landmark. Visiting it today is akin to stepping into a living, working museum of early Washington State history, all within a 120-acre plot of land.
Interestingly, Port Gamble is still a company town. In 2020, Rayonier, a top softwood lumber producer in the U.S., acquired all holdings of what used to be Pope Resources. It now owns and manages the town under its real estate subsidiaries. And just as it was in the past, there are no homeowners in Port Gamble. Everyone’s a renter.
Museum Artifacts
The museum, which is located beneath the Port Gamble General Store, offers a series of informative exhibits that transport you to another era.
Different rooms are set up to provide examples of life in the town, from the lobby of the once-well-known Puget Hotel and the master bedroom of Emily Talbot (William Talbot’s daughter) and her husband, Cyrus Walker, to one of the founder’s offices and an example of ship’s quarters.
There’s an array of artifacts and photographs that highlight the lives of early residents and the logging heritage, along with equipment, tools and machines used in the sawmills.
Look for the piece of furniture labeled “What am I?” The museum’s docent will tell you to try to guess what it is, and if you answer correctly, you’ll get a little prize. Having seen a picture of something similar to this years ago, I knew what it was… but mum’s the word.
Another item you might find peculiar is an electric hair-curling contraption that women used back in the day. In my opinion, it looks like a barbaric, medieval torture device that could “electrify” the user.
Port Gamble General Store
Photo by Debbie Stone
After the museum, enter the Port Gamble General Store, a favorite destination for visitors. You’ll probably end up spending more time than you think in this historical landmark, perusing the aisles and shelves of items.
There’s everything from cards and souvenirs to home décor, Northwest wines, and candy. I dare you to leave empty-handed.
Sea & Shore Museum
Upstairs houses a café, as well as the Sea & Shore Museum. You’ll be amazed at this extraordinary collection of seashells and marine specimens gathered across several decades of expeditions to more than forty countries. Thousands of items fill the cases, displaying vibrant colors, textures and natural history.
Tom Rice, a native of Port Gamble, is responsible for this collection. It’s said that as a child, he would walk the local beaches with his grandmother, picking up shells. This habit became the all-encompassing passion of his life, as he proceeded to collect specimens across the world, spanning every ocean on earth.
Rice, who passed away in 2022, published over a hundred issues of his celebrated magazine, “Of Sea and Shore,” and later moved to Thailand, where he built another collection that became the world’s largest private shell museum (the museum in Port Gamble is the second largest of its kind).
Admire the giant shark jaw, the rare and fragile Paper Nautilus (which is actually an octopus), a ginormous Goliath Beetle, crabs of all different species and sizes, countless cone shells and more.
Historic Buildings
Photo by Debbie Stone
Other historic buildings of note in town include Saint Paul’s Church, a beautiful 1878 Gothic-style building that’s often used for weddings and events; the Port Gamble Theatre (1906), home to live performances and a vintage cinema; the Merrill Pope House, a 1900 Georgian Revival home; the New York House, circa 1863, possibly named for the resident doctor, who was from New York; and the handsome Walker-Ames House, the grandest house in town.
This 1880 Queen Anne-style home overlooks Gamble Bay and was where the resident manager lived. Its front door faces the water because important visitors arrived by sea.
You’ll find many more historic houses as you walk around that are currently occupied by residents and/or businesses. Informative plaques provide information about their past.
The two green water towers at the entrance to the commercial area of town are also historical, dating back to 1880 and 1885. They were built so that water could be piped to hydrants located near the mills, docks and main community structures.
Scenic Waterfront Views
Don’t miss the small park with picnic tables at the end of Rainier Avenue, Port Gamble’s main drag. It offers the best view of Hood Canal and north to Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean.
If you lived back in the day, you would have gone here to watch ships and take in the peaceful scene. Nice to know you can still enjoy this pastime.
Shopping In Port Gamble
Photo by Debbie Stone
Browsing the gift shops in town can be a worthy pursuit, as you never know what treasures you’ll find, from antiques to locally made goods.
Artful Connextions, for example, is an independent gallery with fine art and handicrafts. Wish offers a notable greeting card collection, eclectic jewelry and other unique gift ideas.
Pretty Stick is hard to miss, with its life-size skeletons out front. Enter to find skincare and beauty products, costumes, books, “Star Wars” collectibles and a slew of witchy goods, like tarot cards, spell kits, mini cauldrons, and more.
The Artful Ewe is a fiber store where you can buy beautifully woven items and all the materials to make such creations. In the same vein is Quilted Strait. Inside this handsome, red, barn-like building are bolts upon bolts of colorful fabric and sewing supplies, along with a selection of gifts for purchase.
Food And Drink
Though Port Gamble’s food and drink scene is small, the options are decent. Butcher Baker Provisions, located in a vintage gas station, is a perfect spot to order a takeaway lunch for a picnic, as there’s a good selection of deli items. Or get a coffee drink to go and one of the bakery’s yummy scones, muffins or sticky buns.
Whiskey & Waffles is the new kid on the block. It specializes in both sweet and savory waffles, plus soups, salads, burgers and homemade gelato. And of course, there’s whiskey in a variety of concoctions. Dine inside with a view of the bay or outside on the patio.
In the mood for high tea? Dahlia Cove Studio has a four-course afternoon tea experience, complete with tea pairings, soup or salad, scones and a selection of desserts. You can also design your own personalized candle at the studio’s candle bar.
House 11 Taproom & Bottle Shop has you covered when it comes to libations. There’s also a small selection of sandwiches and snack-type items to accompany your glass of wine or beer.
The General Store’s café, as mentioned previously, offers hearty soups and sandwiches, breakfast burritos, an assortment of freshly baked goods, handcrafted espresso drinks and sixteen flavors of ice cream.
Forest Heritage Park
If you have extra time and want to actively commune with nature, there’s Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park, just south of town. This vast, 3,500-acre landscape has trails for walking, biking and horses, as well as access to water for kayaks.
Didn’t bring your mountain bike or kayak? No problem. Olympic Outdoor Center will rent you everything you need to explore the area.
Know Before You Go
A car plus ferry is the most expedient mode of transportation to Port Gamble. Cyclists can also get to Port Gamble, as bikes are welcome on board the ferries.
Check ferry schedules and be prepared for long wait times on weekends and in the summer months. You do not need (nor can you make) reservations on these routes, as vehicles are loaded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Port Gamble’s accommodations consist of guesthouses, as there are no hotels in town. More options exist in nearby Kingston or on Bainbridge Island.
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Author Bio: Debbie Stone is an established travel writer and columnist, who crosses the globe in search of unique destinations and experiences to share with her readers and listeners. She’s an avid explorer who welcomes new opportunities to increase awareness and enthusiasm for places, culture, food, history, nature, outdoor adventure, wellness and more. Her travels have taken her to nearly 100 countries spanning all seven continents, and her stories appear in numerous print and digital publications with a reach of over 5 million readers and listeners.
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unique destinations and experiences to share with her readers and listeners. She’s an avid
explorer who welcomes new opportunities to increase awareness and enthusiasm for places,
culture, food, history, nature, outdoor adventure, wellness and more. Her travels have taken her
to nearly 100 countries spanning all seven continents, and her stories appear in numerous print
and digital publications.