This is a special year for the Port Townsend Main Street Program: it’s our 30th anniversary!

Our program was founded in 1985 as one of the five pilot programs in Washington State by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Then-Mayor Brent Shirley was instrumental in establishing our program, with support from the City of Port Townsend, business leaders and dedicated volunteers. In 2000, Port Townsend was the first city in Washington state to win the National Main Street Award, and we are still going strong.

The program is powered by a small staff and volunteers who work closely with community partners and the City of Port Townsend to enhance the commercial historic districts: Uptown and Downtown. We honor our town’s history, support our local economy, create foot traffic, work on a cleaner, more inviting streetscape and embrace a historic preservation ethic. The combined effort promotes Port Townsend as a great place to be for residents and visitors.

AUG. 30 PORTRAIT, PICNIC

Celebrate three decades of promoting prosperity and historic preservation in Port Townsend at our “Celebrate Main Street” 30th anniversary party Sunday, Aug. 30. First, gather at 4:45 p.m. at Washington and Taylor streets for the Port Townsend Family Portrait. We take the portrait promptly at 5 p.m. Wear bright colors and smile! The posters are available for $10 on Monday, Aug. 31. Our photographer is David Conklin, and Mike Kenna of Printery Communications designs and prints the portrait, as he has since 1985.

Then at 5:30 p.m., it’s an al fresco “bring your own picnic” party on Taylor Street (tickets $10; 12 and under $5 – first come, first served). We are setting up tables and 400 chairs, and your ticket includes a place at a table, a beverage of your choice, and dessert. There’s music by Toolshed Trio and a beer and wine garden.

Seating is limited, get your tickets early. Online sales end Aug. 28 and tickets are sold at the event on a space available basis. Visit

ptmainstreet.org and click on “30th Anniversary” or go to

eventbrite.com and type in “Celebrate Main Street."

STATEWIDE EFFORT

Our Main Street program is part of a statewide effort in 32 communities under the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation; it is coordinated by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. There are 70-plus Washington communities working to improve their cities using elements from the Main Street approach, and more than 1,800 programs nationwide.

The Port Townsend program has 1.75 staff (Executive Director Mari Mullen and Dawn Pierson, program coordinator), two part-time maintenance workers, a dedicated board, and 30-plus volunteers working in four committees: Organization, Promotion, Design and Economics.

We are funded by a combination of memberships, sponsorships, donations and contributions to the Main Street Tax Incentive Program.

Come to our anniversary party Aug. 30 and toast 30 years of revitalization success. We are so grateful to our partners, business supporters, staff, volunteers, and our community for 30 great years … and counting. Thank you for helping make Port Townsend a great place to be!

Learn more at

ptmainstreet.org.