Incredible and unique center for the arts
Over 30 years ago some visionary citizens had an idea of a better use for the old, sprawling 1890's army base on the waterfront in Port Townsend called Fort Worden. This was the beginning of Centrum, a unique center for education and enjoyment of the arts, serving local citizens and visitors from all over the world. The facilities of Fort Worden include many buildings that were barracks, officers quarters, shops, hospital, theater, chapel, along with bunkers, acres of forest with trails, and a gorgeous shoreline with lighthouse. It is also home to award winning Copper Canyon Press, Goddard College and a Woodworking School. There is also a relatively new conference center and Coffe Shop. (If you saw the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" you will have seen many of the grounds and buildings, as that movie was filmed in Port Townsend").
Entrance to Fort Worden on Cherry Street Wheeler Theater
Centrum operates in co-operation with Washington State which owns the site,WA State Art Commission, Dept. of Recreation and Parks, and Department of Public Instruction. It relies on benefactors donations, fund raisers, grants, and thousands of volunteer hours to carry out it's programs.
This years Centrum Volunteer Job Fair Inside the tent with cookies and assignments
Workshops on writing, dance, music, and theater are held throughout the year many with festivals and/or performances at the end of the weeklong study. The workshops are taught by master artists from around the world and the performances at the end of the workshop week are simply wonderful.
This past week we enjoyed the annual Fiddle Tunes workshop and festival. Over 500 workshop participants took part in a 5 day workshop, performances on the green on Friday which is free to all, a Cajun and Swing Dance, a concert Saturday night before the fireworks.
This is the Mcurdy Pavillion and if you look closely you will see it is the original balloon hanger. Big and drafty and not insulated, but it is a great venue for large crowds. This is where the main stage performances take place, with fairly good acoustics and even a dance floor.
Coming up this month we will have Jazz Port Townsend, workshop, stage performances and my favorite, Jazz in the Clubs where artists perform in our local clubs in small and intimate settings. The last week of July brings us the Blues, workshops, performances and Blues in the Clubs.
If you are going to be in the area in July you can go to www.centrum.org for a schedule of performances. You will hear some great music in an awesome setting.
www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net
Views of covered arbor, park and bandstand, flora and pond. 
Great spot for watching the cruise ships and regattas.
This Saturday, the Fourth of July we will have a Performance on the green. 
There is a large parcel on the corner for sale for $1,000,000 plus zoned for retail, mixed use of condos and stores.
Happening today in Port Townsend! We have sunshine, ocean breezes and a lot of people in town for this annual event. There are nine private gardens on display, all located within walking distance in the Uptown area. Featured gardens will demonstrate things such as drought tolerant and deer resistant plants, shade solutions, and a shared vegetable patch. There will be composting techniques and lots of ideas on landscaping your own backyard. 
This This private non-profit organization is all about preserving our land, open spaces, and habitat. So far this group is stewarding 7865 acres in this area.
