MAC began with a small group of people sharing a vision

When Sequim citizens began to plan for the country's bicentennial in 1976, they  left a legacy by creating an organization that eventually became the Museum & Arts Center.

The dream for a local museum began among the Bicentennial Committee members who formed a Steering Committee to prepare by-laws, policies, a constitution, and an exhibit committee. On February 12, 1976, after having acquired RCW#27.48.010 covering the powers of counties and municipalities to store, preserve, and historical materials, an exhibit of historical items was installed at Sequim City Hall. The first artifact storage area was the city jail. Another early display was at the Bank of Sequim.

On April 1, 1977, the Museum purchased the former U.S. Post Office building at 175 West Cedar Street in Sequim, which continues to serve as the Exhibit Center. The Sequim-Dungeness Museum incorporated as a non-profit organization on August 22, 1977, and officially opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting performed by the Sequim mayor on May 10, 1979. There were exhibits on the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, the Manis Mastodon, and local dairy farming, while paintings by local artists graced the walls.

In March 1992, the Sequim-Dungeness Museum consolidated with the Peninsula Cultural Arts Center (founded in 1984) to form the Museum & Arts Center in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley (MAC). Six years later, on June 18, 1998, ground was broken for Phase I of the MAC's future home at 544 North Sequim Avenue. The DeWitt Building, which was formally dedicated on July 24-25, 1999, was built to house the  Photo Lab, Photo Archives, Whatton Research Library, offices and Collection Storage.

The MAC became the stewards of the Dungeness Schoolhouse, a local landmark, National Historical Site, listed on the State Historical Registrar. The schoohouse was an ideal place for programs, and community education classes. Peninsula College offers classes at the schoohouse year-round. The Dungeness Schoolhouse is also available for events, weddings, plays, and music concerts (rental agreement). This funding goes toward supporting its ongoing care. In 2006, the MAC raised $11,000 at the MAC Nite Dinner Auction to restore the Schoolhouse belfry. For more information about joining the Dungeness Schoolhouse Committee contact President Bob Clark at the Clark Chambers Bed and Breakfast.

More recently, the MAC was given the Captain Morris House, which is the only remaining building from New/Old Dungeness. The MAC also owns the Washington Harbor Schoolhouse, which is also more than 100 years old. In 2007, MAC Nite Dinner Auction contributors raised $13,000 to move the two buildings from rented land to the MAC property on North Sequim Avenue. Funding is currently being sought in the form of matching state grants to begin restoration. Volunteer time and in-kind donations are wanted to work on this project.

The Museum and Arts Center Exhibit Center was remodeled in 2009 to incorporate  a multi-cultural and multi-generational approach to displays. Digital photo displays were built offering the public an opportunity to view over 100 photographs from the MAC Photo Archives. In addition, exhibits were built to emphasis the valley's heritage including the Longhouse Exhibit. Improvements were made to the Manis Mastodon exhibit to update the interpretive experience, and to install protection for the bones on display. A series of exhibit modules were constructed by Rocky Fankhouser, who also did the model of the Dungeness Schoolhouse, and the barn exhibit. His work with the Plexiglass vitrines did much to update the look and allow for many more items to be exhibited. Work continues with the planning of a City of Sequim exhibit that will open in the future.

by Katherine Vollenweider (July 2010)

Directors

Margaret DeWitt

Ginger Alexander

Debra Rambo

Randy Sturgis (May 2004 to November 2005)

Katherine Vollenweider (November 7, 2005 to present)