December is wrapping up and a new year is just around the corner in Port Townsend. Although the way the city interacts with its visitors has changed due to the Governor’s COVID safety guidelines, Port Townsend and its residents are excited to welcome you virtually for the time being, and invite you to plan your future dream vacation for when it’s safe to travel once again.
Port Townsend is home to a variety of educational institutions, museums and schools, many of which are offering virtual experiences to welcome in the new year. The Port Townsend Marine Science Center is hosting The Future of Oceans Lecture series via Zoom on January 10, 2021 The topic will be “What Eelgrass and Other Marine Vegetation Can Tell Us about the Future of the Ocean” and will be led by Dr. Ronald Thom. Better yet, the event is free! If you liked what you heard at the Lecture Series, a follow up Deep Dive Conversation will be happening on January 11, 2021 with Dr. Thom, and it will be a science-style café.
Fort Worden is one of many beautiful and historic locations in Port Townsend, and it too is hosting numerous online events to kick off the new year! The Virtual Feel Good. Do Good. Yoga event from Madrona Mind Body Institute, located at the Fort, is January 4, 2021 and benefits the Re-Cyclery in Port Townsend. From Madrona Mind Body Institute: “Yoga benefits YOU, and these monthly by donation yoga classes benefit great causes in our Community! Breathe. Stretch. Feel good. Do good.” All levels welcome!
If you are interested in exploring your more creative channels in the New Year, the Port Townsend School of the Arts has you covered! There are multiple art courses being presented, from online collage creation to watercolor basics, all January long! Learn about Painting Conservation with an online lecture presented by Elisabeth Mention. She will give an overview of the profession, and participants will learn about techniques and materials used in painting conservation as well as an understanding of the structure and materials used in European easel paintings. The lecture is on January 27, 2021 via Zoom.
Another creative alternative for exploring the culture of Port Townsend from the safety of your home is the Rose Theater’s streaming collection. The Rose Theater in Port Townsend features a world-class lineup of movies. Now with safety guidelines prohibiting in person viewing, the Rose has curated a top-notch list of movies to stream from the coziness of your couch!
Also streaming in January is a live production from Key City Public Theatre of May’s Vote. The streamed performance features the lives of two Washington State women who fought for the right of women to vote in the United States. Commentary and Q&A with the actors, Barbara Callander and Denise Winter, will happen with every performance.
Port Townsend is synonymous with the water, from its storied maritime past to its modern-day working waterfront. Keeping up that maritime tradition is the Northwest Maritime Center. The Maritime Center is offering online courses in January to keep eager seafarers sated until smooth sailing weather rolls around in the warmer months. On January 6, 2021 is the Wooden Boat Festival’s Ask an Expert Winter Online Series! The event features interviews, demos and videos followed by Q&As in this unique zoom experience. In eight zoom sessions the series visits maritime experts from all over the world. Ask the experts your questions from the comfort of your own home! Register for the event at woodenboat.org/ask-an-expert.
Continuing with the nautical theme, the Northwest Maritime Center is also offering online courses on Radar, Charts & Dead Reckoning and Tides and Currents in the Salish Sea to round out the practical skills necessary for sailing in the Northwest!
The health and safety of our residents and visitors is one of our highest priorities. The City of Port Townsend, The Jefferson County Government, Department of Emergency Management & Public Health Departments , business owners, employees , residents and visitors have adopted the JeffcoCARES pledge to highlight the care and commitment we have in keeping the community safer. Over 200 businesses have joined the pledge thus far. When we are all free to travel in a safer and healthy way, this vibrant community will be here to welcome you! Start planning your dream vacation now!
No matter how you decide to Enjoy Port Townsend, either virtually or in person, we wish you all a safe, healthy and happy 2021!