The Vashon Heritage Museum is proud to present A Contemporary Exploration of Vashon and Maury Islands. This video series, created by island educator, photographer, and author Barb Gustafson, alongside the help of Michael Monteleone and Dennis Lambert, is a 16-part series that explores neighborhoods of the island through photos and the stories of the residents who lived there.
New "episodes" of the series will be released every other Friday through March 2022. To access the videos, please click the accordion below.
Episode 7
Erin Canfield’s story helps us to envision life as an island child, while Marcia Blomgren tells us about a beloved local “character.” A sunset visit from Orca whales is told by Laurie Stewart and documented by Ray Pfortner’s impressive photography.
Pamela McMahan tells of her first visit to the island by riding the Virginia V to Camp Sealth. Barbara Gylland’s first year involved many, many tree frogs. Explore the fall mushrooms at Frog Holler Preserve before hearing a final and sweet poem, by seven-year-old Gus Holmes.
Episode 6
Joy Sherman-White shares a family story from 1887! After a tour of the inner harbor, Sandra Noel and Yvonne Kuperberg share thoughts of what the Island gives to them.
The buildings of Burton’s heyday, from 1892 through the 1920’s, are explored before heading west up Burton Hill. Sue Wiley, Tamara Kittredge, and Barbara Gustafson write about their rural lives and raising animals and children on the
island.
Gustafson takes us into the air to view Quartermaster Harbor and surrounding land. Dorothy Hall Bauer and Jill Andrews share joyous memories from living here cin the 1920s and 1940s, respectively. Mary G. L. Shackelford writes thoughtfully of the meeting of land, water and air.
Episode 5
Take to the water to explore the shoreline of Maury and our picturesque lighthouse. Be inspired by stories by Captain Joseph Wubbold, Carla Pryne, and Frank Jackson.
Morgan Ahern’s amusing story opens this section and sets the stage for a tour of Dockton. Poems by C. Hunter Davis and Linera Lucas are contemplative.
Episode 4
Coffee and art reign at this Island crossroads. Robin Branstator shares thoughts about moving to the island and farming the land. Beth White teaches us about a very Vashon sighting: the Mann brother’s deer-shaped pond.
Poems by Susan Lynch and Margaret Roncone are odes to life between the tides, and Tressa Azpiri’s memories of a childhood spent on the shore are warm and inviting.
Episode 3
The Senior Center, Land Trust, Fire Department, and Heritage Museum are featured in this section. Joy Goldstein shares memories of riding the local bus in the mid-1960s and David Berleth shares a modern tale set on frozen Fisher Pond.
Be transported back in time with this trip to Mukai House and Garden. Sean Malone shares a humorous tale of his youth at Mukai Pond. Island Center Forest, Matsuda Farm, Open Space for Arts and Community, and Sawbones are explored.
Episode 2
Lynne Walter’s limerick introduces the visitor to Vashon’s unique qualities. Frank
Walls’ family story is perfectly illustrated by the mural on the U.S. Bank building
created by William Forrester.
Prose by Gayle Kellner, Katy Jo Steward, and Jeanie Okimoto share their sense of
place and community. Enjoy a quick look at the annual Strawberry Festival and
public art pieces.
Episode 1
Barbara Gustafson introduces this video series and shares stories from the book
“The Heart of Vashon- Sharing Our Stories in Pictures and Words.” She reads
poems by Deb Phillimore Dammann and Lorna Delano Cunningham and a story by
Serena Cosgrove.
Gustafson explores the neighborhoods of Dolphin Point, Vashon Heights, Dilworth,
the Colvos area, and Cove. She reads stories about childhood memories by Brian
Brenno and Nick Molvik.
Stories by Sharon Munger and Shirley Ferris open this narrative. The fragile natural
area of Whispering Firs Bog is explored, as well as, the new All Age Trail and the
Church of the Holy Spirit’s labyrinth.
Thanks to our sponsors!
This project is made possible by the Office of the Secretary of State through the Washington State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
