[cid:image001.png@01D9A372.814C70D0] Contact Robin Harrison Telephone 253.858.6722 ext 4 Email operations@harborhistorymuseum.org Website www.harborhistorymuseum.org<http://www.harborhistorymuseum.org> MEDIA RELEASE June 20, 2023 harbor history museum new exhibits: "I spy: the secret museum" On view at the Harbor History Museum [cid:image003.jpg@01D9A382.9C506250]Gig Harbor, WA - The Harbor History Museum is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibit, "I Spy: The Secret Museum." The exhibit was nearly three years in the making and features hundreds of rarely seen objects from the museum collection. Inspired by the I SPY books created by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick, the exhibit includes objects from the Harbor History Museum collection in a series of beautiful and eclectic photographic arrangements. "We were incredibly fortunate to be able to draw on the talent and keen eye of local photographer Ron Rogers," said Stephanie Lile, Director of the museum and the exhibit's instigator. "An exhibit like this can't be created alone." In fact, the museum team worked together over the last year to create 18 different challenges-photographic object images accompanied by riddles that make visitors hone their powers of observation to find specific objects hidden in plain sight. Integral to the exhibit team was Jean Hannah, HHM Collections Manager. "Her task was a search and find in its own right," explains Lile. "We have a system for cataloging and locating every item in our collection, but gathering thousands of artifacts to be photographed was no easy task." Assisting Hannah was Amy Crews, a university student volunteer who joined the team in Fall of last year. The exhibit covers the range of "everyday" objects found in the HHM collection, from hats to shoes, children's toys to castaway treasures found at the bottom of Gig Harbor. There are 18 different challenges for visitors young and old in the 1000 sq ft special exhibition gallery. With a focus on local history, long timers will delight in recognizing some old favorites: a hand painted Tides Tavern sign, a truck signboard for Spadoni's Flying A fuel, and even old buttons and hats from Harbor Holidays, the precursor to the Maritime Gig Festival. With I Spy challenges for nearly every interest and skill set, the exhibit is sure to intrigue all who enter. One of the prizes of the exhibit is also one of the museum's newest acquisitions-a telephone booth recently donated by the Pioneer 76 gas station. It is the last walk-in phone booth in the entire Gig Harbor area. "This is definitely not your typical museum exhibit," says Lile. "We broke a bunch of rules, and pushed the boundaries of how we interact with the museum collection. It's art, it's history, and it's fun." On view through September 23, 2023. This exhibit was made possible by a grant from the City of gig Harbor's Lodging Tax Fund. About Harbor History Museum: Harbor History Museum creates opportunities to experience the heritage of the greater Gig Harbor communities by collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of the area. Founded in 1964, the Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society, dba Harbor History Museum, opened its new facility in 2010. The museum campus includes an 1893 fully restored one-room schoolhouse; a 65-foot fishing vessel currently being meticulously conserved; 7,000 square feet of exhibition space; and a 900-square foot library, research, and meeting room. Masks are required for entry during this time. CURRENT HOURS - Wednesday-Friday 11 am-4 pm, Saturday 11am-5pm ADMISSION - Complimentary Admission for all visitors, supported by a Lodging Tax grant. CONTACT - 253-858-6722, www.HarborHistoryMuseum.org<http://www.HarborHistoryMuseum.org>, Operations@HarborHistoryMuseum.org<mailto:Operations@HarborHistoryMuseum.org> Robin Harrison | Operations and Marketing Manager [cid:image004.png@01D9A372.814C70D0] operations@harborhistorymuseum.org<mailto:operations@harborhistorymuseum.org> 4121 Harborview Drive Gig Harbor, WA 98332 253-858-6722