Island County museum offers nautical reenactment

The Island County Historical Museum is presenting a unique living history reenactment this Saturday.

The Island County Historical Museum in Coupeville is presenting a unique living history reenactment this Saturday, Aug. 17.

From 1-6 p.m., Port Townsend historian and reenactor Michael “Tug” Buse will be giving a live presentation from his historic dingy at the Coupeville Wharf.

Buses will be presenting living history in a custom-made and thoroughly researched naval uniform from 1850 as a sailor from the U.S.S. Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts spent a few days in Penn Cove in 1850. The crew was probably in what is now Coupeville as they visited Chief Snetlam (Snakelum).

The sailor being interpreted was a cabin boy on the Guatimozen in 1803, and Buse will also talk about the history and events from that time.

The talks are open to the public and are free, though donations to cover costs are appreciated.

At 1 p.m. on Sunday, visitors can see Buses on the historic Suva in Penn Cove. He will give a talk about who the first Americans in the Salish Sea were, with a surprising conclusion. The talk will take place during Suva’s history sail. Tickets are available at schoonersuva.org.

The Island County Historical Museum is located at 24 Front St. NW in Coupeville.