Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor History Museum charging admission fees again

Harbor History Museum started charging admission again on May 1, after seven years of free admission. 

Arts & Entertainment Sponsor

Arts & Entertainment stories are made possible in part by the Gig Harbor Film Festival, a proud sponsor of Gig Harbor Now.

The museum on Harborview Drive charged for admission when it opened in September 2010. Then a grant from the city of Gig Harbor in 2017 allowed the museum to open its doors for free. 

That grant extended through 2022.The museum managed to continue free admission through this year thanks in part to revenue from the city lodging tax, Executive Director Stephanie Lile said.  

But now, “we have to make ends meet,” Lile said. “For now, it’s just not economically feasible to stay free.”

She cited rising utility, insurance and building maintenance costs among the reasons for needing to re-instate admission fees. The museum also planned to pursue federal grants to offset costs, but those “have been virtually eliminated in the wake of the current administration’s cuts,” Lile wrote in an email. 

“A lot of people donate when they come in anyway,” Lile said. “This is just one way to try to recoup some of our expenses and try to keep the museum going so we can still be here.” 

The doors to the Maritime Gallery at Harbor History Museum officially opened on Saturday, April 26. Photo by Vince Dice

Admission fees and how to get around them 

Admission costs $10 for adults or $5 for kids ages 5 to 17. Children 4 and younger are free. Annual memberships cost $50 for “Supporter” memberships (admits two people) or $125 for “Explorer” (admits four people). 

There are still a few ways to get into Harbor History Museum for free. For instance, the museum won’t charge admission on the second Saturday of every month.

Pierce County Library users can check out a museum pass that provides free admission. And under a program called Museums 4 All, anyone receiving SNAP benefits gets free admission when they present their EBT card and photo ID.

Lile held out some hope that the museum may be able to reduce admission fees, or get rid of them again, if voters approve a Cultural Access Program in November. The Cultural Access proposal would levy a 0.1% sales tax, with proceeds supporting nonprofits and arts programs.

Voters inside Gig Harbor city limits will decide on the program in November.