As the seasons shift and leaves begin to fall, life remains busy on the islands. For many, autumn is a favorite time of year to get outside and enjoy the colors of the season. Summer festivals give way to “spooky season” fun, with Halloween activities in every town and the annual witchy takeover of Coupeville as it celebrates its starring role in the cult classic movie Practical Magic. New murals adorn walls in historic downtown Oak Harbor and farms on each island display grand pumpkins and offer hayrides or even overnight stays.
The coziness of Fall is a great time to embrace the culture of Whidbey and Camano Islands and explore new aspects of these seemingly familiar favorites. Although the unshakeable rural character of the islands can make them feel impervious to the passage of time, their histories are long and storied. Human presence on the islands stretches back to time immemorial, with vibrant societies shaped by the passing of millennia. Discover the triumphs and tragedies that have created the culture of two beloved Salish Sea islands as we know them today.
An excellent place to start exploring is within the pages of the field guide 24 Cultural & Heritage Experiences. This high-quality free guide is available at any of the islands’ visitor centers or libraries, as well as many local lodgings and businesses. The guide contains stories and information on experiences up and down both islands. It begins, appropriately, with the original indigenous inhabitants of the islands. Written by Ana Ramirez, Education Curator at the Hibulb Cultural Center, this opening piece explores local regions as they were before colonial contact, featuring both historic and contemporary photography.
To continue learning about the history of the islands’ first people and their unbroken presence in the Salish Sea, a visit to one of the several excellent historical museums is not to be missed. In October, the Island County Historical Museum is celebrating 75 years of bringing Whidbey and Camano history alive. Their collection of rare dugout canoes is the centerpiece of a fascinating exhibit that explores elements of a story spanning many thousands of years. Museums featured in the guide also include the Langley Whale Center and Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum, which is enjoying its last month in the current location before moving to a brand-new facility later in the Fall.
The field guide is more than museums however, containing a compelling mixture of historical information and insights into the culture of the island communities today. Experiences range from historic sites and buildings still in use, to vintage entertainment venues and natural reserves. As well as pointing out specific places to visit, readers will discover themes of artistry, environmental preservation, and multi-generational agriculture that still shape the lives of locals today. Woven throughout the guide is information on the islands’ maritime heritage, military history, and rich ecosystems for diverse wildlife.
For visitors and residents alike, there is truly something to entice everyone within the guide’s pages. Connect with the past via absorbing museum displays, visiting historic structures in person, or watching today’s blockbusters in a 1950s era drive-in. When the creative nature of the community drives an urge to be a part of it, the guide points to galleries, workshops, and live performance venues. Since the eternal star of the islands’ appeal is the gorgeous natural scenery, this guide makes a perfect companion piece to the guide 24 Trails Off the Beaten Path, which is also free and available at all visitor centers on each island. Both guides are conveniently lightweight and pocket-sized, but also available in digital form.
