EVENTS
FOR THE LOVE OF NORTHERN STATE
FRIDAY JUNE 6 AND SATURDAY JUNE 7, 2025
A SEDRO-WOOLLEY MUSEUM EVENT
Join us on June 6th and 7th at the Sedro-Woolley Museum as we remember and celebrate the profound impact of Northern State Hospital on our community, honoring the many lives intertwined with its history.
Friday, June 6 at 6:30 PM :: The Northern State Cemetery
John Horne shares a special presentation on the full history of the Northern State Hospital Cemetery, and restoration plans to honor the people buried at this historic site.
Saturday, June 7 :: “The Headliners of Northern State”
11:00 AM & 1:00 PM
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Step into the headlines of history with Northern State Hospital researcher Amy Muia as she explores the most talked-about stories from the hospital’s operation between 1910 and 1973. Discover how news coverage reflected changing treatments and philosophies, uncover scandals both real and rumored, learn about notable patients and staff, and hear surprising stories that offer a rare glimpse into life at one of Washington’s most mysterious institutions.
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Saturday, June 7 from 2:30-3:30 :: Exhibit Open House
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NSH researchers Amy Muia and John Horne will be in the Northern State exhibit at the Sedro-Woolley Museum for an open Q & A. Browse the exhibit, see the artifacts, read the history, and ask your questions!​
PUBLIC HISTORY DAY 2025
SAT JULY 26, 2025 | 9:30 AM-4:00 PM
SWIFT CENTER (NSH CAMPUS)
​The Port of Skagit County and the Skagit County Historical Museum are proud to present our fourth public history event at Northern State Hospital!
Hear from speakers who worked and lived at Northern State, learn the history, purchase books at the book table, take a self-guided outdoor walking tour, write a memory on the memorial wall, and more! This year, we'll again be offering a tour inside the Colman Ward for a limited number of participants. Ticket information below.
​Admission to Public History Day is free. Events meet outside the Colman building on the Northern State Campus. Public parking available. Except for the guided Colman tour, access to the inside of buildings is prohibited.​
PUBLIC HISTORY DAY ​SPEAKER SCHEDULE
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Join us in the seats outside Colman Hall for our 2025 lineup of speakers.
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10:00 am :: Jo Wolfe, Skagit County Historical Museum - history of Northern State
11:00 am :: Port of Skagit - update on the SWIFT center
12:00 pm :: Arne Eriksen, former NSH nurse
1:00 pm :: Ginny Darvill, former NSH student nurse
2:00 pm :: TBA
​TOUR THE COLMAN WARD at PUBLIC HISTORY DAY
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The Colman ward, now remodeled, was one of the earliest ward buildings for women. The Port of Skagit is pleased to offer curated, guided indoor tours of the Colman ward again this year for a limited number of guests.
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Colman Ward tour tickets are free, but must be reserved online through Brown Paper Tickets. Reservations will open Thursday July 10 at 8:00 am. Tours take place Saturday July 26, from 11:00-4:00. Reservations are made online, first come, first serve. The tour is not ADA accessible and involves stairs. No one under 12 allowed. Only two tickets per reservation. Click the button to reserve your free Colman tour tickets.
​EVENT PARKING
​Park along Hub Drive (head in), or in the parking lot to the east of the Hub/Chapel. Handicapped spaces available.
