Bainbridge museum officials to meet with city to talk about expansion of historical museum

By Brian Kelly • August 12, 2019 4:00 pm
An architect’s drawing of the “glass element” extension of the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum that would be built as part of the museum’s expansion. (Image courtesy of the city of Bainbridge Island)
An architect’s drawing of the “glass element” extension of the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum that would be built as part of the museum’s expansion. (Image courtesy of the city of Bainbridge Island)

Officials with the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum are hoping to add onto the museum and extend the facility on both of its eastern and western ends.

The historic schoolhouse part of the museum would not be changed, according to initial plans for the project, but the inside of the 111-year-old building would no longer be used for exhibits.

Museum officials will meet next week with the city’s Design Review Board to talk about conceptual plans for the project.

According to a narrative provided to city planning staff, the expansion includes “archival space, additional administrative space, gallery space and the return of the historical school house to a flexible meeting space rather than exhibit space.”

The old schoolhouse, known as the Island Center School, was built in 1908. It was moved from Strawberry Hill Park to its present location in Winslow in February 2004.

The more contemporary part of the museum complex would be expanded on the ends that face Ericksen Avenue to the east, and Bainbridge Performing Arts to the west.

Existing decks that were constructed next to the historic schoolhouse would be removed, along with three parking spaces that are adjacent to the museum’s access to Ericksen Avenue.

The expansion is being designed by Bainbridge-based Cutler Anderson Architects.

Three gabled buildings, each under 2,500 square feet, would be linked by a flat-roofed “glass element,” which architects said would be “a quiet link between these more dominant visual elements.”

The basement of the building would also be expanded under a portion of the area that will be developed with new construction.

Part of the new construction is planned for the east end of the property where the retort (the large, tunnel-like iron contraption once used to help preserve milled timber) is located. The retort would be relocated to a new location if expansion plans are approved.

Initial plans for the project were submitted to the city Aug. 9.

The Design Review Board is expected to meet with museum officials to talk about the conceptual plans at the board’s meeting on Monday, Aug. 19.