Friends of Fort Worden

Fort Worden State Park and Conference Center, located in the scenic Victorian seaport of Port Townsend, offers a unique blend of art, history, recreation and natural resources.

Situated along the southeastern shoreline of Juan de Fuca Straight, at the entrance to Admiralty Inlet, Fort Worden gives its visitors an exceptional experience of spectacular views, expansive beaches and an unbelievable array of facilities.

As stewards of Fort Worden State Park, the non-profit Friends of Fort Worden provide both financial and volunteer support for park improvements and programs not funded by the state parks system. The Friends work closely with park management to identify key projects that support the park. The Friends of Fort Worden is one of seventeen Friends Groups supporting Washington State parks and properties.

Projects in 2009 include:

USO Building window treatments
Motor Pool Building, #365 restoration
Old Guardhouse electrical fixture retrofit
Lunch for the visiting veterans of the 369th EASR
Bench in front of Wheeler Theater
Bike racks for various locations throughout the park
"Doggy-pot" bags for dog-walkers
TV set for the Commons

Newly installed bench at Wheeler Theater

Our Ongoing Projects include:

Operating Park Visitor Center & Gift Shop
Brick Paver Fund Raiser Project
Trail maintenance
Beach access stair repair
Interpretative signage
Building restoration
Oral History Program

The Gift Shop at Fort Worden State Park and the Fort Worden Brick Paver Fund Raiser provide on-going sources of project funds. Annual fund-raising events include the Fort2Fort Bike Ride and the Wild Art and Nature Exposition. Visit our Newsletter Archive to read more about our projects and activities.

Our work is also supported by tax-deductible membership dues and donations.

For on-line shoppers, the service iGive offers an additional opportunity to support the Friends of Fort Worden. A percentage of every purchase made from their extensive list of participating merchants will be contributed to the Friends of Fort Worden. Visit iGive.com for details on how your shopping dollars can help us help the Fort.

Become a Member or Make a Donation

If you value all that Fort Worden has
to offer, please consider becoming a
Member or making a donation today!

Become a Member

It's easy to become a member of the Friends of Fort Worden. Simply download and complete the membership application, and mail with your check to the Friends of Fort Worden.

Get Involved!

Want to volunteer in Fort Worden Area parks? You've come to the right place! Whether you'd like to help with a one-time clean up project, become a docent or project assistant, or join one of our many partnership groups, we can help you get involved.

For information on becoming a volunteer, download a Volunteer Programs brochure or contact the Volunteer Coordinator via email or by calling (360) 344-4442.

Parks that thrive instead of simply survive, are those that have active communities caring and fighting for them.

Chinese Gardens

Your membership supports projects which add to the special quality of Fort Worden State Park. This 2008 painting, by Gayle Bard, was presented in partnership with the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission and now hangs in the foyer above the fireplace in the Commons.

Events/Calendar

Fort Worden
Volunteers Needed!!

Right now we may have to close some facilities due to the lack of volunteers to maintain them.

Without volunteers for January and February, the Guard House Gift Shop & Information Center will close after December 22, 2009. The Guard House tries to remain open Thursday-Sunday through the winter months, days of greatest public use of the park. Income from sales support many programs.
The same situation exists at the Coast Artillery Museum.
Volunteer hosts are provided full hook-up camp sites in exchange for 28 hours of service for each individual.

The following Friends sponsored events will also need volunteers:

• June 6, 2010 - Fort2Fort Bike Ride needs help to facilitate traffic along routes and feed hungry cyclists on return to Fort Worden.

• August 13-15, 2010 - Friends of Fort Worden Jefferson County Fair booth will need help from 9AM to 7 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Please call David Sepler, Guard House Manager (344-4459 or 344-4458), or Jean Dunbar, Volunteer Coordinator (344-4442) to let them know when you can offer a helping hand.

McCurdy Pavillion

Board of Directors

President: Rick Sepler
Vice President: Patience Rogge
Secretary: Wendy Los
Treasurer: David Sepler
Membership: Christopher Overman
Newsletter Editor: Patence Rogge
Ex-Officio Director: Kate Burke,
FW Park Director
Members-At-Large: Gwenn Lovett,
Cheryl Goerger