Historic photo of canoe racing with old wooden buildings in the background.

Embracing Our Culture and Heritage

Although the entire Pacific Northwest region is a treat to visit or call home, there is no place quite like Whidbey or Camano Islands. These tightknit communities are fused with creativity and forged of a collaborative spirit. Gorgeous natural scenery spurs outdoor exploration and creates ridiculously picturesque backdrops to charming seaside towns. Although the unshakeable rural character of Whidbey and Camano can make them seem impervious to the passage of time, their histories are long and storied. Human presence on these islands stretch back to time immemorial, and the vibrant society of today has not arrived without dreadful chapters before it. Learn about the triumphs and tragedies that have shaped the culture of these beloved Salish Sea islands as we know them today, by seeking out a deeper experience with a visit to one of these many fascinating sites or learning more about the captivating topics listed here.


  • Langley Whale Center

    Langley Whale Center

    The Langley Whale Center offers a thoughtful look at these creatures who are our ocean-going neighbors.

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  • Maritime History

    Maritime History

    The region’s maritime history stretches from when the waterways were the highways to today’s ships that move people, cars, and commerce.

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  • NASWI & Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum

    NASWI & Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum

    NAS Whidbey Island began in 1941, and the Naval Air Museum details the history of the men, women, and aircraft that have served there.

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  • Performing Artists

    Performing Artists

    Whidbey and Camano Islands are filled with performing artists you can enjoy while visiting here.

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  • Preserving Our Stories

    Preserving Our Stories

    Why preserve the past? Because it helps us tell the stories of who we are today.

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  • Roller Barn

    Roller Barn

    Built in 1912 and once the largest barn on the West Coast, this building has since 1950 been primarily a roller skating rink, hence its name.

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  • South Whidbey Historical Museum

    South Whidbey Historical Museum

    The South Whidbey Historical Museum gives visitors a view into what it was like living in the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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  • Stanwood Area Historical Museum

    Stanwood Area Historical Museum

    The museum and related buildings offer a look back at the lives of people living here in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

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  • The Colonel’s House

    The Colonel’s House

    The Colonel’s House was the home of Fort Casey’s commanding officers. Take a look inside.

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