Bainbridge Island is reachable by ferry from Seattle and is known for its beautiful nature, historical and cultural heritage, and stunning views. For those who enjoy getting out into the great outdoors, you will find plenty to do, with beaches, gardens and forest trails all ripe for exploring. Certain attractions may be temporarily closed or require advance reservations. Hours/availability may have changed.
1. Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is a contemporary art museum with rotating exhibits. The museum has a particular emphasis on local and area artists. The museum exhibits are constantly changing, so check out their website in advance if you want to know what artists are being featured. They often host special events for the community, including family-friendly art-related events, so be on the lookout for that as well. The museum has a small bistro selling breakfast, lunch, coffee, and wine. There’s also a museum store on site, which sells a wide range of merchandise including jewelry, artwork, home decor, pottery, books, and toys.
550 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-842-4451
2. Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, Bainbridge Island, WA
The Bainbridge Island Historical Museum is an area history museum located in a schoolhouse dating from 1908. Exhibits at the museum are related to significant events in local history, including an exhibit on Japanese American internment with accompanying photographs of Manzanar by famed artist Ansel Adams. Other subject matter on display includes the Port Blakely lumber mill, Native American history in the area, the expeditions of the explorers who first mapped the Puget Sound, and the history of Croatian fishermen who settled nearby in the 1800s. The museum is especially kid-friendly, with many interactive and hands-on exhibits that will interest and excite children of all ages.
215 Ericksen Avenue NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-842-2773
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3. Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is an outdoor exhibit built to acknowledge and remember the internment of the Japanese American residents of Bainbridge Island. Japanese immigrants settled on Bainbridge Island in the late 1800s and were integral to the operation of sawmills and strawberry farms in the area. 227 Japanese American residents were forced to leave the island during World War II. Most of them were sent to internment camps in Manzanar, CA. The memorial has a cedar wall with the names of all of those incarcerated. The wall is also decorated with friezes that depict scenes of the events surrounding internment.
4195 Eagle Harbor Drive, NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-855-9038
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4. Bainbridge Gardens
Bainbridge Gardens is a family-owned nursery and garden center located on a historic property on Bainbridge Island. The nursery spans 6 acres and is well stocked with a variety of plants, trees, flowers, bonsai, flower pots, and art for the garden. There is a cafe on site that serves espresso beverages and lunch. There is also a fun play area for kids. If you are looking for souvenirs from your visit, the garden has a large gift shop where you are sure to find some interesting items. From time to time, the gardens offer special classes and events for those who wish to learn more about plants and flowers.
9415 Miller Road NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-842-5888
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5. Naval Undersea Museum, Keyport, WA
The United States Naval Undersea Museum is one of ten official museums of the US Navy located around the country. The purpose of the museum is to collect, preserve, and display items related to the history of naval undersea operations for the purpose of educating and benefiting the public as well as the U.S. Navy. The museum has displays related to naval history, marine science, and undersea technologies and has the largest collection of such items in the United States. There is also an interesting exhibit containing a complete set of war patrol reports from the second world war.
1 Garnett Way, Keyport, WA 98345, Phone: 360-396-4148
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6. Suquamish Museum, Suquamish, WA
The Suquamish Museum is located within the Port Madison Indian Reservation and aims to preserve, protect, and display artifacts and documents related to the Suquamish Tribe. Important artifacts include those from the Baba’kwob site and the Old Man House. The museum has two galleries, an auditorium, and a gift shop. There is a large collection of photographs that show what tribal life was like from the 1860s up until now. The main gallery has a permanent exhibit that is called Ancient Shores – Changing Tides, which includes artwork, photographs and historic documents as well as modern and historic handicrafts and multimedia elements. The highlight of the exhibit is a carved canoe that is 300 years old.
6861 NE South Street, Suquamish, WA 98392, Phone: 360-394-8499
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7.The Harbour Public House, Bainbridge Island, WA
The Harbour Public House is a waterfront restaurant that serves locally sourced American food in a renovated historic home. The restaurant has won several accolades and has appeared on several national news outlets, including the Travel Channel. They have won awards for their hamburgers, beer selection, fish and chips, and more. They host several special dining events each week, including a Sunday roast in the traditional English style. Menu highlights include a selection of local seafood dishes, delicious burgers, and a range of bar food and appetizers such as tuna and oyster sliders, quesadillas, hummus with veggies, fried calamari, and nachos.
232 Parfitt Way SW, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-842-0969
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8.Tillicum Village, Port Orchard, WA
Tillicum Village is a tourist attraction on Blake Island in the Puget Sound. The island is designated as a state park and is only reachable by boat. An excursion to the village takes about 4 hours and includes a visit to the village’s longhouse, where visitors are given traditional food to try, served by staff in Northwest Coastal Native tribal apparel. There is tribal art on display throughout the longhouse. During your visit you will get to see a traditional cooking demonstration and then be able to enjoy a buffet meal. There is then a performance that includes filmed storytelling by a native from a local tribe and a dance performance by dancers wearing traditional masks. After the cultural experiences, you can explore the area’s beaches and trails.
Blake Island, Port Orchard, WA 98366, Phone: 206-623-1445
9.Bruciato
Grab a bite of one the best pizzas in Washington at Bruciato. Faithfully following the Napolitan style of pizza cooking, visitors will get a taste of deliciously authentic Italian pizza. Their pizzas are made of traditional ingredients imported from Campana, strictly using type “00” flour, hand-stretched dough, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella—all, of course, cooked in a classic wood-burning oven. Bruciato also hosts a monthly trattoria night where they serve up family-style meals of steaks, chops, seafood, bakes pastas, and more. Make sure to come early as Bruciato operates on a first come, first served basis.
236 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110; Phone: 206-201-3462
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10.Blake Island State Park, Manchester, WA
Blake Island State Park is a 475-acre park on Blake Island in the Puget Sound. The park is a popular recreational area with many activities and is primarily known as a destination for blue waters, natural beaches, peaceful hiking trails, and great views of both the city and Mount Rainier. There are both day-use facilities and campgrounds, so whether you want to come for a day or a week there are options for you. The island is accessible only by tour or private boat. The public marina has space for about 40 boats and offers overnight moorage.
Manchester, WA 98353, Phone: 360-731-8330
11.Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island, Washington
The Bloedel Reserve is a 150-acre forest reserve and garden that offers a peaceful and tranquil escape into nature. The reserve has twelve individual and unique gardens designed to have visitors immerse themselves in nature. There are no signs, directions, plant identification tags, or anything of the like as the gardens are meant to be as natural and peaceful as possible. You’ll find everything from a bird marsh with abundant wildlife to an award-winning Japanese-style garden. The gardens are open year round and visitors should be prepared to spend at least 2 hours here in order to get the full experience.
7571 N. Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-842-7631
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12.Fay Bainbridge Park, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Fay Bainbridge Park is a locally owned park and recreational area on the island’s northeastern tip, covering 17 acres of land inclusive of 1,400 feet of shoreline on the Puget Sound. Popular activities include spending time on the beach, camping, and enjoying the amazing views. From the park you get not only great views of the sound, but also views of the Cascade Mountains, Mount Baker, and Mount Rainier. For those who wish to spend the night, there are 15 tent camping sites. There are also campsites that are dedicated for use by kayakers as the park is a stop on the Cascadia Marine Trail.
15446 Sunrise Drive NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-842-3931
, Mobile, AL, AK, London, Kissimmee, Bozeman, Things to Do in Frankfort KY, AR, DE, IA, Alabama beaches, KS, GA, Day Trips from Denver, FL Camping13.Fort Ward Park
Fort Ward Park was formerly designated as a state park, and prior to that the land was used as a military base named Fort Ward. The park sits on the Rich Passage at the island’s southern end, where it occupies 137 acres of mostly dense forest and underbrush. The area is incredibly beautiful, with views including the Olympic Mountains and the Rich Passage. Marine wildlife is abundant in the park. Popular activities including fishing, boating, picnicking, birdwatching, clamming, and scuba diving. Additionally, there are multi-use trails that can be used for jogging, biking, and walking. The park has a public boat ramp and two picnic areas, including one on the beach.
14.Heydey Farm, Bainbridge Island, WA
Heydey Farm is a family-owned and operated historical farm that occupies 25 acres of the island. The farm grows and sells freshly farmed food and offers a variety of farm experiences to the general public as well as culinary classes and retreats. The farm practices sustainable farming techniques and believes in producing healthy and delicious food. The farm is an active, working farm and features a farm kitchen, historical farm house, creamery, gardens, and pastureland for animals to graze. They have a store in Lynwood Center, which sells their farm fresh eggs, meat, fruit, and vegetables. The farm house operates as an inn, with rooms available for overnight reservations.
4370 Old Mill Road NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-201-1770
15.Illahee State Park, Bremerton, WA
Illahee State Park is a 75-acre park located on Port Orchard Bay near the town of Bremerton. The bay is a small section of the Puget Sound and the park has a prime stretch of beachfront. Much of the park is covered with dense forest and the beaches are covered with shells, giving the entire place a distinctly natural feel. Popular activities include fishing, harvesting shellfish, crabbing, swimming, diving, watersports, and kayaking. The park has a variety of facilities available to visitors, including a playground for kids, picnic shelters with electricity, sports fields, and more. The park also has a war veteran’s memorial dedicated to two local veterans who died in World War I.
3540 NE Sylvan Way, Bremerton, WA 98310, Phone: 360-478-6460
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16. Kids Discovery Museum, Bainbridge Island, WA
The Kids Discovery Museum is a children’s museum offering interactive and hands-on exhibits related to science and the arts. The museum is based on education through play and experiential learning and has a number of hands-on installations that are designed for sensory exploration for visitors of all ages. Exhibits include a miniature town with electric cars, a grocery store and a bank, the Science and Literacy Hall with science-related exhibits, and Totally Tot, which is a Waldorf-inspired play space designed especially for visitors under 30 months old. The museum has an outdoor playground and climbing wall available all year, with water play in the summer.
301 Ravine Lane NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-855-4650
17.Mora Iced Creamery, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Mora Iced Creamery is a Bainbridge Island favorite dessert spot, opened to the public in 2006. The Old-World-style creamery offers more than 48 hand-churned flavors every day, with over 70 recipes rotated throughout its regular lineup. Flavors range from traditional Argentinian favorites such as dulce de leche and marron glacé to creative modern concoctions such as goat cheese with fig. Holiday offerings honor the associated flavors of each season, including lavender ice cream offered during the summer months, eggnog ice cream at the holidays, and unique rose petal ice cream available around Valentine's Day. All ice creams are prepared with fresh, real eggs, milk, and cane sugar, using locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Additional locations are offered throughout Washington, Utah, and Nevada, with shipping service available throughout the United States.
139 Madrone Ln N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-347-0721
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18.Bainbridge Distillers, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Bainbridge Organic Distillers is a small-batch distillery that crafts organic spirits including whiskey, vodka, and gin. The distillery is family operated and has been in business since 2009. They were the first distillery in the state to produce USDA Certified Organic spirits and still remain the only distillery to hand-make their organic spirits from scratch, on site. They also work with local producers as much as possible in sourcing their ingredients. Tastings and tours are available. The tours are led by knowledgeable tour guides who teach visitors about the distilling process and all of the different spirits produced on site.
9727 Coppertop Loop NE #101, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, website, Phone: 206-842-3184
19.Bainbridge Island Brewing, Bainbridge Island, WA
Bainbridge Brewing is an independent craft brewery that produces original and imaginative beer using high-quality ingredients, and also brew a hard cider made from local Washington apples. The brewery has an on-site tap room designed to evoke the feeling of a historical pub. The brewery is kid-friendly, and pets are welcome provided they are on leashes and well behaved. The craft brewery and tap room is open 7 days a week. Snacks are available, and several food trucks and other mobile food vendors serve food in front of the taproom for you to enjoy along with your beer or hard cider.
9415 Coppertop Loop NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, website, Phone: 206-451-4646
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20.Eleven Winery, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Eleven Winery is a boutique winery producing a large variety of wines. They focus their production largely on offbeat varieties such as Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot, pinot grigio, and several other varieties. The tasting room is conveniently located just off of the ferry terminal. The winery staff love answering questions about wine and helping novice tasters learn about wines and discover their favorites. On weekends the winery is open for tours, and on select weekends all of the wineries on the island open for tours at the same time. You’ll definitely want to take some wine home with you after all of that tasting, and the winery can certainly fix you up with a few bottles.
287 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-780-0905
21.Battle Point Park
Once used as a naval radio station, Battle Point Park has over 90 acres of land filled with an impressive list of facilities that can be enjoyed by families of all ages. Visitors can enjoy a leisure afternoon in the large open space that features scenic views and two ponds or have a relaxing meal in their covered picnic shelters. For those looking to be more active, there’s a 1.6-mile jogging trail along with several sporting facilities like soccer fields, softball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a roller hockey court, and a disc golf course. They also have an indoor gym used for gymnastic classes and camps. Young children will also enjoy many of the park’s attractions such as the new and creative playground alongside other play areas and structures.
11299 Arrow Point Drive NE, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110; Phone: 206-842-2306
22.Manchester State Park, Port Orchard, WA
Manchester State Park is a is a beautiful 111-acre state park set on the shores of Rich Passage. The park has 2 miles of trails and is popular among hikers. The old brick torpedo warehouse is an intriguing feature that is of interest to military and maritime enthusiasts. It is also quite photogenic, making it a popular backdrop for weddings and other events. The main feature that draws people to the park, however, is the 3,400-foot-long beach, which is popularly used for swimming, diving, and kayaking. Other facilities available for visitor use include a horseshoe pit and volleyball court.
7767 E. Hilldale Road, Port Orchard, WA 98366, Phone: 360-871-4065
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23.Gazzam Lake Preserve
Stop by the beautifully safeguarded Gazzam Lake Preserve, and explore over 400 acres of pristine natural landscapes. Home to the namesake Gazzam Lake located in the park’s northwestern area, there’s a rich ecosystem of forests as well as a freshwater wetland area. The preserve is mostly untouched by man, making it a thriving habitat for various kinds of wildlife. Visitors may spot different species of birds throughout the park along with owls, deer, coyotes, and even the occasional bear. There’s also a trail system within the park which offers a quiet 2-mile hike through dense forests and alongside Gazzam Lake.
Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110
24.Doc's Marina Grill
Sit back and enjoy great waterfront views as you dine in Doc’s Marina Grill. Choose to inside as you take in the surrounding views through their expansive windows or out on their covered and heated deck. In addition to their comfortable and scenic atmosphere, Doc’s Marina Grill is also well known for their high-quality meals made with only the finest ingredients. Their innovative menu makes use of freshly sourced ingredients from local, northwestern supplies to create dishes like half-pound burgers, impossible burgers, fresh salmon, and prime rib. The grill is also home to a sports bar that serves up cocktails and various beers on tap.
403 Madison Ave S, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110; Phone: 206-842-8339
25.Blackbird Bakery, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Blackbird Bakery is a family-owned and operated bakery and coffee shop serving seriously delicious coffee sourced from Herkimer Coffee Roasting Company, which is known for their ethical and sustainable practices. The menu includes tasty treats such as pastries, pies, tarts, and seasonal cakes. However, if you are looking for heartier fare, they also serve a small lunch menu, which is entirely vegetarian and includes soups, quiche, flatbreads, and savory tarts. If you find yourself missing it after you leave, you wouldn't be the first. As such, the bakery ships their specialty granola and t-shirts all across the country.
210 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, Phone: 206-780-1322
25 Best Things to Do on Bainbridge Island, Washington
- Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Photo: Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
- Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, Bainbridge Island, WA, Photo: Bainbridge Island Historical Museum
- Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, Photo: Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
- Bainbridge Gardens, Photo: Courtesy of sylv1rob1 - Fotolia.com
- Naval Undersea Museum, Keyport, WA, Photo: Naval Undersea Museum
- Suquamish Museum, Suquamish, WA, Photo: Suquamish Museum
- The Harbour Public House, Bainbridge Island, WA, Photo: The Harbour Public House
- Tillicum Village, Port Orchard, WA, Photo: Courtesy of EvgeniiAnd - Fotolia.com
- Bruciato, Photo: Bruciato
- Blake Island State Park, Manchester, WA, Photo: Courtesy of David Webber - Fotolia.com
- Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island, Washington, Photo: Courtesy of Knim Adobe Stock - Fotolia.com
- Fay Bainbridge Park, Bainbridge Island, Washington, Photo: Courtesy of Laurens - Fotolia.com
- Fort Ward Park, Photo: Courtesy of vrabelpeter1 - Fotolia.com
- Heydey Farm, Bainbridge Island, WA, Photo: Heydey Farm
- Illahee State Park, Bremerton, WA , Photo: Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com
- Kids Discovery Museum, Bainbridge Island, WA, Photo: Kids Discovery Museum
- Mora Iced Creamery, Bainbridge Island, Washington, Photo: Mora Iced Creamery
- Bainbridge Distillers, Bainbridge Island, Washington, Photo: Bainbridge Distillers
- Bainbridge Island Brewing, Bainbridge Island, WA, Photo: Bainbridge Island Brewing
- Eleven Winery, Bainbridge Island, Washington, Photo: Eleven Winery
- Battle Point Park, Photo: Koxae/stock.adobe.com
- Manchester State Park, Port Orchard, WA, Photo: Courtesy of Chris - Fotolia.com
- Gazzam Lake Preserve, Photo: Planetina/stock.adobe.com
- Doc's Marina Grill, Photo: Doc's Marina Grill
- Blackbird Bakery, Bainbridge Island, Washington, Photo: Blackbird Bakery
- Cover Photo: Courtesy of Photodesign-Deluxe - Fotolia.com
Attraction Spotlight: Naval Undersea Museum
Located in Keyport, Washington, the United States Naval Undersea Museum is one of 10 official naval museums operated by the Naval History and Heritage Command, offering a variety of exhibits related to Naval undersea history and science. The United States Naval Undersea Museum was formally established in July of 1979 by the United States Secretary of the Navy. In 1980, the Naval Undersea Museum Foundation nonprofit organization was formed for the purposes of constructing a permanent museum facility for the new museum.
History
Construction on a 68,000-square-foot facility began in 1985 and was officially completed in 1994, though museum exhibits were first opened to the public within a preview center in 1991. Following the 1994 completion of the museum’s Jack Murdock Auditorium, the museum was officially opened as a fully operational public facility. Until 1993, the museum operated under the supervision of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport. In 2003, museum operations were transferred to the supervision of the Navy Region Northwest, and in 2006, all official Naval museums were placed under the authority of Washington, D.C.’s Naval History and Heritage Command.
Permanent Exhibits and Collections
Today, the Naval Undersea Museum is owned and operated by the Naval Undersea Museum Foundation nonprofit organization, under the supervision of the Naval History and Heritage Command. The museum received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 2001 and presents the largest collection of naval undersea history and science artifacts of any museum in the United States. Over 39,000 artifacts are held within the museum’s collection, which are displayed within 18,000 square feet of exhibit space and held in an additional 19,000 square feet of archival collection space.
A variety of permanent exhibits are showcased at the museum, focusing on aspects of naval history, technology, and marine science. An Ocean Environment exhibit uses hands-on activities to teach visitors about ocean physics concepts such as buoyancy, heat transfer, salinity, density, and pressure, while a Torpedo Technology exhibit chronicles the development of major United States naval weapons such as Howell, Whitehead, MK 48 ADCAP, and MK 50 torpedos. Mine Warfare is examined in an exhibit, which traces the technology’s development and implementation from the Revolutionary War through the present day. Ballistic missile submarines are the focus of the Preserving Peace: The Navy’s Strategic Deterrence Program exhibit, which details the technology’s beginnings during the Cold War and showcases a Trident I (C4) missile payload section. Saving Submariners: Submarine Rescue and Escape examines the history of submarine rescues in the 20th and 21st centuries, while a Greeling Control Room exhibit allows visitors to step inside a preserved submarine control room and explore submarine equipment and technologies.
The museum’s outdoor exhibit area displays a number of large artifacts, including the Mystic (DSRV 1) rapid-response submarine rescue vehicle, the Trieste II (DSV 1) deep submergence vehicle, the sail of the USS Sturgeon (SSN 637) Cold War-era fast attack submarine, and the end bell of the Sealab habitat. A variety of temporary rotating exhibits are also showcased within the museum, highlighting topics connected to naval history and marine science. An onsite research library is offered, holding more than 6,500 volumes on topics related to undersea history and operations, including a complete set of submarine war patrol reports from World War II and oral history interviews from the United States Naval Institute’s collection.
Ongoing Programs and Education
In addition to standard visitor admission, the Naval Undersea Museum offers guided group tours for groups of 15 participants or more, including curriculum-incorporated field trip opportunities for elementary and secondary school students. Groups requesting guided tours must schedule at least two weeks in advance of desired tour date. A variety of onsite educational programming is offered at the museum for students of all ages, including a weekly Summer STEAM Days program focusing on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics concepts. During the fall, winter, and spring months, Science Saturdays events are hosted on the first Saturday of every month, offering hands-on activities for children and families. A STEM For Students workshop may be scheduled for school groups attending the museum, and a Showcasing STEM outreach program may be booked for community events and local classrooms.
Annual public special events at the museum include a Discover E Day science discovery event, held annually in February as part of National Engineers Week. The Keyport Fest in September is a community festival offering concerts, special exhibits, and STEM-focused activities for children and families. Navy Band Northwest concerts are presented monthly at the museum, featuring performances by brass bands, jazz combs, and woodwind trios. The museum also participates in the city’s annual Seafair festival.
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1 Garnett Way, Keyport, WA 98345, Phone: 360-396-4148
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Attraction Spotlight: Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
Located on Bainbridge Island in Kitsap County, Washington, the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is an contemporary art museum offering a variety of rotating exhibits and public art educational programming. The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art was the vision of Cynthia Sears, who formed a nonprofit organization in 2009 to oversee the creation of a contemporary art museum to serve the Puget Sound region.
History
A location for the museum was secured near the island’s Highway 305 in the town of Winslow, located near the island’s ferry terminal, and the museum’s founding board of trustees entered into a partnership with Island Gateway to create a combined campus for nonprofit and commercial space. Funding for the project was secured in 2010, and the museum’s first executive director was chosen. The museum’s campus, which was designed by architect Matthew Coates, completed its first phase of construction in 2011, with second-phase construction completed for an official public opening in June of 2013 with the premiere of a group art show entitled “First Light.”
Exhibits and Facilities
Since its 2013 opening, the museum has attracted more than 90,000 annual visitors from throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond. The museum is renowned for its unique environmental design, which earned the facility LEED Gold certification, the first art museum in the state to achieve the rating. As a cultural and educational resource for the Puget Sound community, the museum is committed to showcasing the works of upcoming regional and national artists and engaging Bainbridge Island residents with current topics and voices in the contemporary art world.
Due to its mission to raise the voices of new and upcoming voices in contemporary art, the museum’s galleries are dedicated to rotating temporary exhibits. Major exhibitions rotate approximately three times a year, with up to 20 new shows presented annually. Past exhibitions showcased at the museum include Ulrich Pakker’s Visions Rendered, Patty Rogers’ Joys Within Reach, Catherine Alice Michaelis: Imprinted and Unbound, and the group shows Women in Photography, Revering Nature, and Native Hands: Indigenous Art of the Salish Sea. The museum is also in the process of developing a Permanent Art Collection in conjunction with the Art Acquisitions and Exhibitions Committee, consisting of fine art donations from multidisciplinary artists throughout the Puget Sound region. Submissions for consideration for the collection may be inquired about by contacting the museum directly via phone or email, and pieces donated may be used by the museum for other purposes if not selected for permanent collections.
In addition to collections and exhibitions, the museum also is the home of a number of community cultural spaces, including the George and David Lewis Roof Garden, constructed as a riverscape of sustainable plantings and landscaped boulders. Pieces on permanent display from past exhibits include Harmony by William O. Walcott, which blend realism, humor, and narrative elements to depict regional landmarks. A 68-seat theater is offered for film showings, live performances, and event presentations, showcasing a state-of-the-art projection system and acoustic specifications. The BIMA Bistro offers light breakfast and lunch fare from chef Melinda Lucas, the founder of the island’s Café Nola. The campus’ Museum Store also offers a wide variety of handmade artisan works and gifts, including one-of-a-kind pieces and exhibition-related items.
Ongoing Programs and Events
As a community educational resource, the museum offers a wide variety of educational opportunities for local youth and students, including curriculum-incorporated field trips for elementary and secondary school students. Art classes and workshops are offered for participants of all ages, including an After School Art Club for students in grades 5-8, a Summer Portrait Sessions workshop, and a Looking and Drawing series. An annual summer camp offers hands-on work with multidisciplinary art forms, and a variety of family drop-in events are offered throughout the year, including Art In Action events and regular Family Parties.
A variety of public programming is presented by the museum, including the Art Museum Encounters podcast series, which features interviews with artists and conversations about current and upcoming exhibitions. All podcasts are archived on the museum’s website and available for listening and downloading. The museum’s Book Arts gallery and program is one of the largest of its kind in the country and offers periodic book talks with book artists and illustrators. Several local film festivals are hosted at the museum’s auditorium, including the Port Townsend Film Festival and Manhattan Shorts, and regular trunks shows and craft fairs are hosted at the Museum Store. Other public special events hosted by the museum include gallery artist meet-and-greet programs, artist and author lectures and readings, and food tasting and dining events at the BIMA Bistro.
550 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA, Phone: 206-842-4451
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