Editing Port Townsend, Washington

{{short description|City in Washington, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Port Townsend
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Pt. Townsend, WA shoreline 01.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Downtown Port Townsend, seen from the water
|image_map                = Jefferson_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Port_Townsend_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 
|map_caption              = Location of Port Townsend, Washington
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Jefferson County, Washington|Jefferson]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]<ref name=porttownsendgov>{{cite web|title=City Council|url=https://cityofpt.us/citycouncil|publisher=City of Port Townsend|access-date=April 7, 2022}}</ref>
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = David Faber<ref name=porttownsendgov/>
|leader_title1            = City Manager
|leader_name1             = John Mauro
|established_title        = Incorporated
|established_date         = 1851
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 7.35
|area_land_sq_mi          = 6.94
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.41
|area_total_km2           = 19.05
|area_land_km2            = 17.98
|area_water_km2           = 1.07
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 10,148
|population_density_km2   = 546.75
|population_density_sq_mi = 1416.16
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
|utc_offset               = &minus;8
|timezone_DST             = Pacific Daylight Time
|utc_offset_DST           = &minus;7
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 154
|coordinates              = {{coord|48|40|59|N|122|46|31|W|type:city_region:US-WA|display=it}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 98368
|area_code                = [[Area code 360|360]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 53-55855
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2411468<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411468}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|www.cityofpt.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Port Townsend''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|aʊ|n|z|ən|d}} is a city on the [[Quimper Peninsula]] in [[Jefferson County, Washington|Jefferson County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. The population was 10,148 at the [[2020 United States Census]]. It is the [[county seat]] and only incorporated city of [[Jefferson County, Washington|Jefferson County]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

In addition to its natural scenery at the northeast tip of the [[Olympic Peninsula]], the city is known for the many [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] buildings remaining from its late 19th-century heyday, numerous annual cultural events, and as a maritime center for independent boatbuilders and related industries and crafts. The [[Port Townsend Historic District]] is a U.S. [[National Historic Landmark District]]. It is also significantly drier than the surrounding region due to being in the [[rainshadow]] of the [[Olympic Mountains]], receiving only {{convert|19|in|mm|-1|disp=or|sp=us}} of rain per year.

==History==
The bay was originally named "Port Townshend" by Captain [[George Vancouver]] in 1792, for his friend the [[George Townshend, 1st Marquess Townshend|Marquis of Townshend]]. It was immediately recognized as a good safe harbor, although strong south winds and poor holding ground often make small-craft anchorage problematic off the town's waterfront.

The official founding of the American city of the same name took place on April 24, 1851. Indian tribes located in what is now Jefferson County in the mid-19th century included the [[Chimakum]] (or Chemakum), [[Hoh people|Hoh]] (a group of the [[Quileute]]), [[Klallam]] (or Clallam), [[Quinault people|Quinault]], and [[Twana]] (the Kilcid band — Anglicized as "Quilcene").

Port Townsend is called the "City of Dreams" because of the early speculation that the city would be the largest harbor on the west coast of the United States. Guarding the gate of [[Puget Sound]], it would become known by its other nickname, the "Key City," a title that remains to this day.

By the late 19th century, Port Townsend was a well-known seaport, very active and banking on the future. Many homes and buildings were built during that time, with most of the architecture ornate Victorian. During this period, in 1888, the Port Townsend Police Department was established.

[[Image:Klallam people at Port Townsend.jpg|thumb|left|[[Klallam people]] during a [[Potlatch]] at Port Townsend, 1859, by [[James G. Swan]]]]
Railroads were built to reach more areas in the 1870s–1890s, and Port Townsend was to be the northwest extension of the rail lines. Its port was large and frequented by overseas vessels, so shipping of goods and timber from the area was a major part of the economy. Many of the buildings were built on the speculation that Port Townsend would become a booming shipping port and major city. When the depression hit, those plans lost the capital to continue and rail lines ended on the east side of Puget Sound, mainly in [[Tumwater, Washington|Tumwater]], [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]], and [[Seattle]]. With the other Puget Sound ports growing in size, Port Townsend saw a rapid decline in population when the [[Northern Pacific Railroad]] failed to connect the city to the eastern Puget Sound city of Tacoma. By the late 1890s, the boom was over. Without the railroad to spur economic growth, the town shrank and investors looked elsewhere to make a good return. (The [[Milwaukee Road]] built a short spur to the pulpmill and barged cars over from [[Anacortes, Washington|Anacortes]].)

Over the decades that followed, Port Townsend maintained its economic stability in a variety of ways, including the development of [[Coastal artillery|artillery fortifications]] at [[Fort Worden]].<ref name="St. George">{{cite web |last=St. George |first=Peter |title=Fort Worden History |url=http://www.fortwordenhistory.com |publisher=SaintImages |access-date=August 9, 2011}}</ref> Many people left the area, and many buildings were abandoned. Port Townsend's economy was very weak until the 1920s, when a [[paper mill]] was built on the edge of the town. The bay is now home to [[Naval Magazine Indian Island]], the US Navy's primary munitions-handling dock on the Pacific coast.

Since the 1970s new residents, including many retirees, have moved to town. The waterfront retail district has restaurants, services, and tourist destinations. Since 1999, the city has had an annual international film festival in September. Other cultural programming, some at Fort Worden, now a state park, includes a Wooden Boat Festival, writers' conference, playwrighting festival, and blues and jazz festivals, in addition to music, dance, and live theater performances. The town has two independent movie theaters, both upgraded by 2014 to handle digital film.

===Recognition of historic status===
{{main|Port Townsend Historic District}}
Because of the speed at which the economy declined in the 1890s and the lack of any industry to replace it, very few of the Victorian buildings were torn down or built over in the intervening period. They were essentially preserved for nearly 100 years, when the value of protecting them was appreciated and fostered. Unlike most cities in the Pacific Northwest that were ravaged by natural and man-made disasters such as fire and earthquakes, prominent examples of public, private, and business buildings from nearly every period of Port Townsend's history have survived to the present day.

The Port Townsend Historic District, an area including many Victorian-era buildings, was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1976. It was designated a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1977.

==Geography==
[[File:Port Townsend and Admiralty Inlet.jpg|thumb|Port Townsend, [[Admiralty Inlet]] and Port Townsend Bay]]
Port Townsend is located on the [[Quimper Peninsula]] which extends out of the extreme northeastern end of the [[Olympic Peninsula]], on the north end of a large, semi-protected bay. Port Townsend is adjacent to the [[Admiralty Inlet]] and a trio of state parks built on retired artillery installations ([[Fort Worden]], [[Fort Casey]], and [[Fort Flagler]]). The city and its surroundings are well-treed, with large [[Douglas fir]] dominant over many other tree species in the remaining wooded areas.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|9.46|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|6.98|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are land and {{convert|2.48|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, or 26.22%, are water.<ref name="USCensusEst2018">{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/porttownsendcitywashington/PST045218|title=QuickFacts: Port Townsend City, Washington|website=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>

===Environment and ecology===
A non-binding resolution was passed by the city council in 2022 declaring that a local sub-group of [[killer whales]], known as the [[Southern resident orcas]], have [[rights of nature]] and should be protected due to the orca's significant "cultural, spiritual, and economic" value to the state and its citizens.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mercado |first1=Angely |title=A City in Washington Wants to Give Orcas Their Own Version of Human Rights |url=https://gizmodo.com/orcas-washington-legal-rights-animal-personhood-1849864751 |access-date=January 16, 2023 |work=Gizmodo |date=December 8, 2022}}</ref> The U.S. government has exclusive jurisdiction more than three miles offshore.<ref>{{citation|title=Q&A: What is the jurisdiction of Washington State and local governments under the Shoreline Management Act?|date=June 26, 2015 |url=https://www.msp.wa.gov/qa-what-is-the-jurisdiction-of-washington-state-and-local-governments-under-the-shoreline-management-act/|website=Washington Marine Spatial Planning|publisher=State Ocean Caucus (state Governor's office et al.}}</ref>

===Climate===
Port Townsend has a moderate [[Mediterranean climate]] with damp, chilly (though not severe) winters and warm, dry summers. It lies in the [[Olympic Mountains|Olympic]] [[rain shadow]] and receives an average of only {{convert|19.04|in|mm|1}} annual precipitation. However, the environment is not as dry as the mean yearly total would suggest; cool breezes and fog from the [[Juan de Fuca Strait]] provide a comfortable level of humidity.
{{Weather box|location = Port Townsend, Washington
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high F = 62
|Feb record high F = 65
|Mar record high F = 74
|Apr record high F = 76
|May record high F = 90
|Jun record high F = 100
|Jul record high F = 100
|Aug record high F = 96
|Sep record high F = 90
|Oct record high F = 75
|Nov record high F = 68
|Dec record high F = 67
|year record high F= 100
|Jan high F = 46.4
|Feb high F = 48.6
|Mar high F = 52.1
|Apr high F = 57.5
|May high F = 63.1
|Jun high F = 67.9
|Jul high F = 72.6
|Aug high F = 73.1
|Sep high F = 68.0
|Oct high F = 58.2
|Nov high F = 50.1
|Dec high F = 45.3
|Jan low F = 38.4
|Feb low F = 38.3
|Mar low F = 40.3
|Apr low F = 43.2
|May low F = 47.2
|Jun low F = 51.0
|Jul low F = 53.0
|Aug low F = 53.5
|Sep low F = 51.0
|Oct low F = 46.3
|Nov low F = 41.3
|Dec low F = 38.4
|Jan record low F = 5
|Feb record low F = 7
|Mar record low F = 19
|Apr record low F = 27
|May record low F = 28
|Jun record low F = 33
|Jul record low F = 33
|Aug record low F = 37
|Sep record low F = 35
|Oct record low F = 22
|Nov record low F = 12
|Dec record low F = 5
|year record low F= 5
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.24
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.61
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.85
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.53
|May precipitation inch = 1.52
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.37
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.73
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.54
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.10
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.64
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.43
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.58
|Jan snow inch = 0
|Feb snow inch = 0.2
|Mar snow inch = 0
|Apr snow inch = 0
|May snow inch = 0
|Jun snow inch = 0
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0
|Oct snow inch = 0
|Nov snow inch = 0
|Dec snow inch = 0.4
|Jan precipitation days = 16
|Feb precipitation days = 12.4
|Mar precipitation days = 14.5
|Apr precipitation days = 12.6
|May precipitation days = 11.6
|Jun precipitation days = 9.7
|Jul precipitation days = 5.8
|Aug precipitation days = 5.3
|Sep precipitation days = 7.5
|Oct precipitation days = 12
|Nov precipitation days = 17
|Dec precipitation days = 16.1
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch
|source 1 =NOAA<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00456678 |title= NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access
| publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |year=2021 |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
|date=August 2021
|source 2 = NCDC<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datasets/NORMAL_MLY/stations/GHCND:USC00456678/detail |title= Port Townsend, Washington Normals Monthly Station Data
|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=May 10, 2017}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 917
|1890= 4558
|1900= 3443
|1910= 4181
|1920= 2847
|1930= 3979
|1940= 4683
|1950= 6888
|1960= 5074
|1970= 5241
|1980= 6067
|1990= 7001
|2000= 8334
|2010= 9113
|2020= 10148
|estyear=2023
|estimate=10502
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEstimate2023">{{cite web |date=July 2023 |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: July 1, 2023
|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/porttownsendcitywashington/AGE135222}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 21, 2014|author-link=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
According to the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]], there were 10,148 people in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,461.8 people per square mile (460.3/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 5,371 housing units at an average density of 607.8 per square mile (234.8/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 89.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.6% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], and 4.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 3.5% of the population.

1.6% of the population is under the age of 5 years, 11.1% of the population is under the age of 18 years and 40.5% of the population are 65 years of age or older. 54.6% of the population are female. 4.8% of the population are foreign born and 9.7% of the population have been identified as Armed Service Veterans.

The median household income was $59,193, and 14.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]].

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref> there were 9,113 people, 4,544 households, and 2,322 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1305.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 5,193 housing units at an average density of {{convert|744.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 92.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.3% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.8% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 3.3% of the population.

There were 4,544 households, of which 19.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.9% were non-families. 39.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.60.

The median age in the city was 53 years. 16.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.4% were from 25 to 44; 36.7% were from 45 to 64; and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.

==Economy==
The largest private employer is the Port Townsend Paper Mill.<ref>{{cite web|last=McClary|first=Daryl C.|title=Jefferson County -- Thumbnail History|url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=7472|publisher=History Ink|access-date=July 7, 2012}}</ref> The largest employer overall (private and public) is [[Jefferson Healthcare]], which operates [[Jefferson Healthcare Hospital]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Bermant|first=Charlie|title=Hospital's new CEO highest paid public official in Jefferson County|url=http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100915/news/309159984/hospitals-new-ceo-highest-paid-public-official-in-jefferson-county|access-date=July 7, 2012|newspaper=The Peninsula Daily News |date=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Major industries include maritime trades, manufacturing, tourism, and timber.<ref>{{cite web|title=Community Resources|url=http://www.ptguide.com/community-a-government/|publisher=PTguide|access-date=July 7, 2012}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend, WA.jpg|thumb|Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend]]

The sign entering town names Port Townsend a "Victorian Seaport and Arts Community".

===Art and music===
Reflecting the numerous artists in the area, downtown has many galleries and two artists' collectives.<ref>[https://ptguide.com/arts-music-theatre Port Townsend Art Galleries<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The nonprofit Northwind Art is located in the 1885 Waterman & Katz Building downtown. There is a monthly Art Walk, and a plethora of classes, workshops, and training are available locally.

Fort Worden State Park is home to a number of cultural organizations and venues. [[Centrum (arts organization)|Centrum]] is a culture and arts organization that hosts a multitude of concerts, festivals, and workshops. These include "Fiddle Tunes", blues, jazz, voice, chamber music, and more. [[Copper Canyon Press]], the poetry press, is located there, as are facilities for [[Goddard College]], Madrona Mindbody Institute, [[Peninsula College]], and the Port Townsend School of Woodworking. In late October and November 1981, Fort Worden was the central filming location for the 1982 movie ''[[An Officer And A Gentleman]]'' starring [[Richard Gere]].

Port Townsend has two dance schools for children and adults. The city is also home to Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra.

===Festivals and events===
Port Townsend is host to several annual events such as the [[Port Townsend Wooden Boat festival]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woodenboat.org/festival/ |title=Wooden Boat Festival - Port Townsend, WA |publisher=Woodenboat.org |access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Kinetic sculpture race|Kinetic Skulpture Race]] {{sic}} (since 1983),<ref>{{cite news |author1=PDN staff |title=Port Townsend hosts kinetic skulpture race |url=https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/entertainment/port-townsend-hosts-kinetic-skulpture-race/ |work=Peninsula Daily News |date=October 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.ptkineticrace.org/|title=Port Townsend Bay Kinectic Skulpture Race|access-date=December 29, 2012}}</ref> the Rhododendron Festival, [[Port Townsend Film Festival]], and the annual blues and jazz festival.

Boating and maritime life are central elements in this port town, with regattas, weekly races, and a multitude of recreational opportunities, including annual boating events such as the Race to Alaska and Seventy48. The marine trades industry is an anchor economic driver for the community, with highly skilled, world-renowned tradespeople. The port is home to many classic wooden boats, and gets visits from owners of others seeking repairs.

Since 1999, Port Townsend has held its annual international film festival in September. The Rose Theatre<ref>[http://www.rosetheatre.com Rosetheatre.com]</ref> downtown shows contemporary American and foreign films. The Uptown Theater shows family-oriented films, and a nearby drive-in theater is open during the summer. Key City Public Theatre is the local playhouse presenting many award-winning productions and Shakespeare in the Park in the summer.

Starting in August 2019, Fort Worden began hosting a music festival called "THING", created by Adam Zacks, the founder of the [[Sasquatch! Music Festival]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Seattle P-I|title=A brand new music Thing: Sasquatch founder launches new Washington music festival|author=Zosha Millman|date=April 15, 2019|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/entertainment/music/article/music-fest-Thing-Sasquatch-Port-Townsend-PNW-13769320.php}}</ref> In 2023, [[Fleet Foxes]], an indie-folk group from Seattle, led by Port Townsend's notable musician Robin Pecknold, was the listed headliner.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rietmulder |first1=Michael |title=THING festival announces 2023 lineup |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/thing-festival-announces-2023-lineup/ |access-date=June 24, 2023 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 14, 2023}}</ref> Due to difficult accessibility to the event because of Port Townsend's location, coupled with limited lodging options and low revenue, the THING festival would not return to the city in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rietmulder |first1=Michael |title=Seattle Theatre Group pulls THING festival out of Port Townsend |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/seattle-theatre-group-pulls-thing-festival-out-of-port-townsend/ |access-date=November 22, 2023 |work=The Seattle Times |date=November 16, 2023}}</ref>

===Historical buildings and sites===
[[File:Frank Bartlett House Port Townsend.jpg|thumb|Bartlett House, built in 1883]]
Port Townsend is noted for its Victorian houses and significant historical buildings. The city has more than a dozen large, well-preserved buildings, including the Port Townsend Public Library (a 1913 [[Carnegie library|Carnegie Library]]), the Federal Building (now commonly known as the city's post office), the Rose Theatre, and the [[Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks|Elks]] Lodge, which now houses Silverwater Cafe. [[Fort Worden]], now a state park, has retained some of its pre-[[World War I]] architecture built when it was a military facility. Buildings have been adapted for other uses, including the publicly available Olympic Youth Hostel, which closed in 2011. The Jefferson County Courthouse is in a Romanesque architectural style, as popularized by [[Henry Hobson Richardson]], with a 125-foot bell tower.
[[Image:PortTownsendWA BellTower.jpg|thumb|upright|Bell Tower]]

In 1976, the Downtown waterfront and parts of Uptown were designated a Registered Historic District. Later, [[Fort Worden]] (now part of [[Fort Worden State Park]]) and the City of Port Townsend were designated [[National Historic Landmark]]s.<ref name="St. George"/>

The Bell Tower on the bluff above downtown is one of two known towers of this type in the United States. It was used from 1890 to the 1940s to call volunteer firefighters. It was restored in 2003 by the Jefferson County Historical Society.<ref>Notes from Jefferson County Historical Society</ref> The second bell tower is located in [[Helena, Montana]], and was also used for fire alarms during the late 19th century.

===Tourism===
A history museum is located downtown and the [[Port Townsend Aero Museum]] is located at the local airport. The Northwest Maritime Center is located on the waterfront, and features a wooden boat shop. The Port Townsend Marine Science Center has facilities at Fort Worden State Park.

==Education==

The city is served by the [[Port Townsend School District]], which manages public [[K–12 education]] for pupils in Port Townsend, the Quimper Peninsula, and the area around Discovery Bay.<ref>{{cite map |author=U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division |date=December 21, 2020 |title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Jefferson County, WA |scale=1:229,131 |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st53_wa/schooldistrict_maps/c53031_jefferson/DC20SD_C53031.pdf |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> The school district had an enrollment of 1,173 students in the 2022–23 school year and approximately 153 staff members.<ref>{{cite web |title=Port Townsend School District Annual Report 2022–23 |page=4 |url=https://www.ptschools.org/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=JXEMA9aN |publisher=[[Port Townsend School District]] |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> It has a single high school, [[Port Townsend High School]], one middle school, and one elementary school.<ref>{{cite web |title=Schools |url=https://www.ptschools.org/schools |publisher=[[Port Townsend School District]] |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> The elementary school, named Salish Coast, opened in 2018 to replace the demolished Grant Street Elementary School.<ref>{{cite news |last=McMacken |first=Jeannie |date=September 14, 2018 |title=New elementary school opens in Port Townsend |url=https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/new-elementary-school-opens-in-port-townsend/ |work=Peninsula Daily News |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> The Port Townsend School District is a participant in the [[United States Department of Agriculture|U.S. Department of Agriculture]]'s Farm to School program and maintains a {{convert|12,000|sqft|sqm|adj=mid}} farm plot that is used to provide produce for school cafeteria meals.<ref>{{cite news |last=Superville |first=Denisa R. |date=August 11, 2024 |title=Port Townsend district uses produce from its garden for school meals |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/port-towsend-district-uses-produce-from-its-garden-for-school-meals/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref>

Port Townsend is also home to the Swan School, a private school for pupils up to 6th grade.<ref>{{cite web |title=Search for Private Schools |url=https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&SchoolName=&SchoolID=&Address=&City=Port+Townsend&State=53&Zip=&Miles=&County=&PhoneAreaCode=&Phone=&Religion=&Association=&SchoolType=&Coed=&NumOfStudents=&NumOfStudentsRange=more&IncGrade=-1&LoGrade=-1&HiGrade=-1 |publisher=[[National Center for Education Statistics]] |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> Another private school, the non-profit [[Jefferson Community School]], was founded in 2005 to provide "experiential education" for students. It later transitioned into an [[online school]] with international students until it closed in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Morrison |first=Maria |date=August 6, 2020 |title=Jefferson Community School closing, puts building up for sale |url=https://www.ptleader.com/stories/jefferson-community-school-closing-puts-building-up-for-sale,70458 |work=Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref>

[[Peninsula College]], a [[community college]] based in Port Angeles, opened its first Port Townsend campus in 2004. It moved to Fort Worden in September 2016 following $6{{nbsp}}million in renovations to an existing building.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Patrick J. |date=October 25, 2016 |title=PT may finally be known as a 'college town' |url=https://www.ptleader.com/stories/pt-may-finally-be-known-as-a-college-town,18145 |work=Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> Fort Worden was also home to a branch of [[Goddard College]], a private online college that established its Port Townsend campus in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carlson |first=Scott |date=September 4, 2011 |title=Goddard College's Unconventional Path to Survival |url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/goddard-colleges-unconventional-path-to-survival/ |work=[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]] |url-access=limited |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 2, 2013 |title=This week's business meetings |work=Peninsula Daily News |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=3B0E523B103645DAAB7A3032BEED2C5A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F14A71F1D7A458AA0 |via=[[NewsBank]] |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> The college closed all of its campuses in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Elisha |date=October 22, 2024 |title=Greatwood and Goddard College: Legacy of Architectural Innovation |url=https://hardwickgazette.org/2024/10/22/greatwood-and-goddard-college-legacy-of-architectural-innovation/ |work=[[Hardwick Gazette]] |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> Other adult educational organizations in the city include [[Centrum (arts organization)|Centrum]], Northwind Art, and the Port Townsend School of Woodworking.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

==Media==

The city is home to the ''[[Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader]]'', a weekly newspaper that has been published in Port Townsend since 1889. It was preceded by other newspapers, including the ''Port Townsend Register'' in 1859.<ref name="Editions">{{cite book |last1=Bagwell |first1=Steve |last2=Stapilus |first2=Randy |year=2013 |title=New Editions: The Northwest's newspapers as they were, are, and will be |pages=247–251 |publisher=Ridenbaugh Press |location=Carlton, Oregon |isbn=978-0-945648-10-9 |oclc=861618089}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Meany |first=Edmond S. |authorlink=Edmond S. Meany |title=Newspapers of Washington Territory |date=January 1923 |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=24–27 |journal=[[Pacific Northwest Quarterly|The Washington Historical Quarterly]] |publisher=[[University of Washington Press]] |oclc=2392232 |jstor=40474683}}</ref> The ''[[Peninsula Daily News]]'', a daily newspaper based in [[Port Angeles, Washington|Port Angeles]], also covers the area.<ref name="Editions"/> The libertarian magazine ''[[Liberty (libertarian magazine)|Liberty]]'' was founded in Port Townsend.<ref>{{cite news |last=Doughton |first=Sandi |date=December 12, 2005 |title=Libertarian publisher Bradford, 58, dies |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/libertarian-publisher-bradford-58-dies/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 28, 2025}}</ref>

Port Townsend is within the broadcast range of radio stations in [[Victoria, British Columbia]], and has its own local stations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mann |first=Bill |date=September 15, 2022 |title=City manager in it for the long haul |url=https://www.ptleader.com/stories/city-manager-in-it-for-the-long-haul-mann-overboard,86615 |work=Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader |accessdate=April 28, 2025}}</ref> [[KPTZ]] was founded in 2011 as a nonprofit community station and is based in the city.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bermant |first=Charlie |date=April 8, 2014 |title=Nonprofit KPTZ radio gears up for spring fund drive April 16-18 |url=https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/nonprofit-kptz-radio-gears-up-for-spring-fund-drive-april-16-18/ |work=Peninsula Daily News |accessdate=April 28, 2025}}</ref> A second local station, [[KROH]], was founded the same year to broadcast [[Christian radio|Christian programming]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Nicholas |date=September 20, 2011 |title=Christian radio is risen: Port Townsend now a two-frequency town |url=https://www.ptleader.com/stories/christian-radio-is-risen-port-townsend-now-a-two-frequency-town,51062 |work=Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader |accessdate=April 28, 2025}}</ref>

The city has been used as a location for several film and television productions. ''[[An Officer and a Gentleman]]'', released in 1982, was partially shot at Fort Worden and other locations around the city. It was followed by ''[[Snow Falling on Cedars (film)|Snow Falling on Cedars]]'' (1999), ''[[Enough (film)|Enough]]'' (2002), and ''[[The Ring (2002 film)|The Ring]]'' (2002).<ref>{{cite web |last=Oldham |first=Kit |date=July 31, 2007 |title=Paramount Pictures begins filming An Officer and a Gentleman in Port Townsend in April 1981. |url=https://historylink.org/File/8237 |work=HistoryLink |accessdate=April 28, 2025}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===

Port Townsend lies along [[Washington State Route 20|State Route 20]], a major highway that connects the Olympic Peninsula to the northern regions of the state. The highway terminates at {{convert|13|mi|km}} to the southwest at a junction with [[U.S. Route 101 in Washington|U.S. Route 101]] (US{{nbsp}}101) in [[Discovery Bay, Washington|Discovery Bay]]. US{{nbsp}}101 continues west towards [[Port Angeles, Washington|Port Angeles]] and south to [[Olympia, Washington|Olympia]].<ref>{{cite WSDOT map |year=2014 |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> From the city, State Route 20 crosses the Admiralty Inlet to [[Whidbey Island]] via the [[Port Townsend–Coupeville ferry]], part of the [[Washington State Ferries]] system. The ferry carries walk-on passengers and vehicular traffic, the latter of which requires an advance reservation for most of its capacity. The route is also prone to cancellations during stormy weather and high winds.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reicher |first=Mike |date=July 2, 2023 |title=Rough seas, canceled ferries: Family takes in stranded Port Townsend visitors |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/puget-sound/rough-seas-canceled-ferries-family-takes-in-stranded-port-townsend-visitors/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref>

The city is also served by [[Jefferson Transit (Washington)|Jefferson Transit]], a local public transit system that operates buses within Port Townsend and to adjacent areas. Its routes include service to [[Sequim, Washington|Sequim]], [[Brinnon, Washington|Brinnon]], [[Kingston, Washington|Kingston]], and [[Poulsbo, Washington|Poulsbo]] with onward connections to other transit systems.<ref>{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=James |date=September 25, 2024 |title=JTA's main plan: increase ridership, reduce agency emission, strengthen resiliency |url=https://www.ptleader.com/stories/jtas-main-plan-increase-ridership-reduce-agency-emission-strengthen-resiliency,181946 |work=Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref><ref name="PDN-JTKingston">{{cite news |last=Urbani de la Paz |first=Diane |date=January 12, 2024 |title=Free rides added from Port Townsend to Kingston ferry dock |url=https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/free-rides-added-from-port-townsend-to-kingston-ferry-dock/ |work=Peninsula Daily News |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> Jefferson Transit was established by a voter-approved ballot measure in 1980 and is funded by a [[sales tax]] within the county. It replaced an earlier private bus system in Port Townsend that traced its origin to early jitney services in the 1910s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Conder |first=Darrell |date=January 13, 2015 |title=2015 marks 100 years of transit in Jefferson County |url=https://www.ptleader.com/stories/2015-marks-100-years-of-transit-in-jefferson-county,38989 |work=Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader |accessdate=April 29, 2025}}</ref> Jefferson Transit became [[free public transport|fare-free]] in 2020.<ref name="PDN-JTKingston"/>

==Notable people==
* [[Tom Baker (1960s pitcher)|Tom Baker]], baseball player
* [[Wayne Bastrup]], actor and musician
* [[William A. Bugge]], civil engineer and highway commissioner
* [[Daniel James Brown]], author<ref>{{cite web|url=http://peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131030/NEWS/131029969/0/SEARCH |title=Author Lectures on "The Boys in the Boat" in Port Townsend on Friday|website=Peninsula Daily News|access-date=May 24, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Luke Burbank]], radio host<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ptleader.com/arts_and_entertainment/burbank-of-wait-wait-don-t-tell-me-calls-port/article_0cb27b7a-ca69-11e3-b679-0017a43b2370.html|title=Burbank of "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" calls Port Townsend home|website=Port Townsend Leader|access-date=May 24, 2017}}</ref>
* [[John Edward Douglas]], author
* [[Nick Harper (politician)|Nick Harper]], politician and state representative
* [[John Louis Hayden]], U.S. Army officer
* [[Frank Herbert]], author of ''[[Dune (novel)|Dune]]''<ref>[https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Herbert%2c+Frank Herbert, Frank]. ''The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography''.</ref>
* [[Anne Hirondelle]], ceramic artist
* [[Alan James]], film director and screenwriter
* [[Parker Lundgren]], guitarist
* [[Howard S. McGee]], U.S. Army general
* [[Art McLarney]], baseball player
* [[Thomas T. Minor]], politician and railroad builder
* [[Sue Morgan (rower)|Sue Morgan]], rower and Olympian
* [[Jack Nagel (alpine skier)|Jack Nagel]], alpine ski racer and Olympian
* [[Robin Pecknold]], musician<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peisner |first=David |date=2017-05-31 |title=How the Fleet Foxes Frontman Got Out to Get Back In |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/31/arts/music/fleet-foxes-robin-pecknold-crack-up-interview.html |access-date=2023-05-05 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* [[Francis Pettygrove]], pioneer and merchant
* [[Annie Proulx]], writer
* [[Marvin Glenn Shields]], U.S. Navy seaman and [[Medal of Honor]] recipient<ref>{{cite web|title=Marvin G. Shields|url=http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/47181/MARVIN-G-SHIELDS|website=Vvmf.org}}</ref>
* [[Thaddeus S. Smith]], U.S. Army soldier and [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
* [[Artis the Spoonman]], street performer
* [[John Stroeder]], basketball player
* [[John Weir Troy]], politician
* [[Jim Whittaker]], mountaineer and first American to summit Mount Everest<ref>{{cite news |last=Carman |first=Michael |date=September 29, 2016 |title=Outdoors: Port Townsend native Whittaker follows his own path |url=https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/sports/outdoors-port-townsend-native-whittaker-follows-his-own-path/ |work=Peninsula Daily News |access-date=December 1, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Kimba Wood]], U.S. federal judge

==Sister cities==
Port Townsend is [[Twin towns|twinned]] with [[Ichikawa, Hyōgo]], [[Japan]]. A group of local students participate in an exchange with this city during the summer.

According to the Washington State Lieutenant Governor's website,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/|title=Sister Relationships|website=Ltgov.wa.gov|access-date=May 24, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105144331/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/|archive-date=November 5, 2012}}</ref> Port Townsend also has a sister city relationship with [[Jalapa, Nueva Segovia|Jalapa]], [[Nicaragua]], though the city's website<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofpt.us/SisterCity/SisterCityWhereInTheWorld.asp|title=Where In The World|website=Cityofpt.us|access-date=May 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129131232/http://cityofpt.us/SisterCity/SisterCityWhereInTheWorld.asp|archive-date=January 29, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> does not reflect this.

==See also==
{{Portal|United States}}
*[[Pacific Wharf Company]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last=Naylor|first=Elaine|title=Frontier Boosters: Port Townsend and the Culture of Development in the American West|publisher=[[McGill-Queen's University Press]]|location=Montreal|year=2014|isbn=978-0-7735-4367-6}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Port Townsend}}
{{commons category}}
{{EB1911 poster|Port Townsend}}
* {{osmrelation|237889}}
* [http://www.cityofpt.us/ City of Port Townsend official website]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/indian-island.htm Naval Magazine Indian Island] 
* [http://content.lib.washington.edu/cmpweb/index.html University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections – The Pacific Northwest Olympic Peninsula Community Museum]

{{Jefferson County, Washington}}
{{Mosquito Fleet}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Washington}}
{{Washington (state) county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Port Townsend, Washington| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:County seats in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Populated places on Puget Sound]]
[[Category:Cities in Jefferson County, Washington]]