Fox Island Historical Society Museum

Location: 1017 9th Avenue, Fox Island, WA 98333

The mission of the Fox Island Historical Society is to enrich the greater community through the discovery, preservation, and sharing of knowledge about the history of Fox Island.

There are more than 3000 artifacts on display, dioramas, rotating exhibits, displays representing individuals, Native American tribal history, and agricultural machinery. In addition, please visit the research room, museum store, and a large selection of used books for purchase. We also have the Acheson log cabin, built in 1908, open for tours.

Among them is a display describing the life of Dr. Dixy Lee Ray, former Washington State Governor, the largest collection of pulley blocks in the State, artifacts from the old Fox Island Ferry 'City of Steilacoom', and several antique gasoline engines and farm equipment pieces in working order.

The Fox Island Historical Society held its first meeting on February 22, 1897, and as of 2014 has held a President's Day potluck every year since, for over 118 consecutive years.  The potluck is held at the Sylvan Chapel because of the historical significance of having been started there. For many years the museum's artifacts were held in private homes and the chapel.

Famous Authors From Fox Island
Did you know that we have four famous authors from our beautiful Island? 

Our museum curator, the late George Miller, wrote a book entitled: 'Fox Island, A History'. This book was published in 1993 by the Fox Island Historical Society and is available for sale in the Fox Island Museum.

Alexis Macdonald wrote a book entitled: 'Fox Island - It's History and Development', which was published on July 20, 1966 by J & J Press, Fox Island. This book can be found in the Pierce County Library. As a child, Alexis attended the Island School (now the Nichols Community Center). She is now a teacher in Tacoma.

Caroline Perisho wrote a book entitled: 'Fox Island - Pioneer Life on Southern Puget Sound', published in 1990 by Echo Bay Press. This book is also available from the Pierce County Library.

Don Edgers wrote three books about growing up in the 40's and 50's on Fox Island: 
'An Island In Time: Growing up in the 1940s', and 'An Island In Time: Coming of Age in the 1950s', and 'Fox Island'.

All five books make for fascinating reading if you are interested in the colorful history of Fox Island.

Gail Jones - President
253-549-2461

PO Box 242,
Fox Island, WA 98333