Above photo: Jacob Brehm standing in his wagon, Circa 1914. He is in front of the livery stable he built in 1904. Photo: South Whidbey Historical Museum.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Visit historic Langley and breathe life into the stories of early residents with a trip to the South Whidbey Historical Museum. The museum is housed in a logging bunkhouse built by Jacob Anthes, the founder of Langley, who came to Whidbey alone as a teenager in the late 1800s. It’s one of a thousand fascinating tales you’ll discover, as the knowledgeable docents have really focused on the people and families whose efforts still have a massive impact on our lives today.
Explore exhibits ranging from the ancient and varied cultures of Coast Salish tribes to Langley’s first all-female city council in 1920. Join a guided walking tour in the summer, or take a self-guided tour any time by looking out for educational plaques on most historic buildings downtown. QR codes are being added that link to more detail online.
A sprawling ongoing archival project is revealing previously unknown and compelling chapters of the area’s history. “A Tangled Web of History” was sparked when a collection of more than 500 artifacts were found at the home of a South Whidbey pioneer family.
This listing is part of our Cultural and Heritage Guide.
Look for the guide at Visitor Centers throughout Whidbey and Camano Islands.