In addition to our Permanent Exhibit,
the museum mounts special exhibits approximately twice a year, which focus on a particular aspect of Vashon history, often partnering with other Island and
regional organizations. 

Special Exhibits

“We the People, the Gib Dammann Political Memorabilia Collection,” July 2024-February 2025.

Vashon’s
Drama Dock

Celebrating 50 years of Creating Theater Together

Through
July 23, 2026

Once upon a time, in 1976, a small but passionate group of Island friends burned with a desire to make live theater on Vashon. On a shoestring, and taking out a small bank loan in their own good names, they created an organization called “Drama Dock.”

Wondrously, their dream survived. This year, 2026, Drama Dock Theatre Company celebrates 50 years of continuous commitment to Vashon’s cultural life.

This exhibit showcases the highlights of those 50 years with posters, programs, newspaper clippings, video, and other artifacts from 126 shows, including 28 musicals.

Come together to celebrate the shared purpose that has sustained Drama Dock for 50 years.

Past Special Exhibits

Since opening in 2003, the Vashon Heritage Museum has mounted nearly forty special exhibits. Below is a small sampling to give
an idea of the range of stories we have chosen to tell. 

  • Poster for the 'Natural Wonder' 2023 event at Vashon Heritage Museum, promoting an island shaped by water, with illustrations of a dragonfly, orca whale, songbird, octopus, shell, and fish, featuring guided tours.

    Natural Wonder

    AN ISLAND SHAPED BY WATER, 2023

    A collaboration with Vashon Nature Center, co-curated by Vashon Nature Center and Vashon Heritage Museum, designed by Jenna Riggs. “Community Garden Award,” Vashon-Maury Island Garden Club.

  • Poster for 2019 exhibit at Vashon Heritage Museum event titled "In and Out: Being LGBTQ on Vashon Island," featuring a rainbow flag with a green island silhouette of Vashon Island in the center.

    In and Out

    BEING LGBTQ ON VASHON, 2019

    A collaboration with the Vashon Gay Pride Alliance, curated by Ellen Kritzman and Stephen Silha, designed by Jessica DeWire, “Award of Excellence,” American Association for State and Local History (AASLH); “Exhibit Award,” Association of King County Historical Organizations.

  • A promotional poster for the Vashon Heritage Museum featuring an old black-and-white photograph of Japanese American children and adults. The 2017 exhibit titled 'Joy and Heartache: Vashon's Japanese American Legacy

    Joy and Heartache

    VASHON’S JAPANESE AMERICAN LEGACY, 2017

    Curated by Rita Brogan, Bruce Haulman, Alice Larson, Joe Okimoto, and Meredith Yasui, designed by Royce Wall.

  • Poster for 2013 exhibit. 'Vashon Island's Native People: Navigating Seas of Change' featuring a graphic of a red and white octopus with a human face in the center and the subtitle 'Devilfish' along with authors Qwalsius - Shaun Peterson and Puyallup.

    Vashon's Native People

    NAVIGATING SEAS OF CHANGE, 2014

    A collaboration with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, curated
    by Laurie Tucker and Rayna Holtz. Designed by Scott Jones and Yvonne Lever. “Award of Merit,” American Association for State and Local History (AASLH); “Award of Excellence,” Washington Museums Association; “Peace & Friendship Award” to Laurie Tucker, Rayna Holtz, and Brandon Reynon, Washington State Historical Society. 

  • Poster for an exhibit titled "Vashon 1885: The Early Settlers" at the Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Museum, held from April 5 to October 20, 2013. The background features a scenic landscape with trees and a mountain.

    Vashon 1885

    THE EARLY SETTLERS

    Designed by Royce Wall and Jessica DeWire. In honor of one of the first families to homestead on Vashon, this exhibit featured an extensive family tree illustrating the branches of the Sherman family. Also included were eight other families who settled on the Island by 1885, and whose descendants still reside on Vashon.

  • Poster with a black background with military dog tags and text that reads "Home of Record Vashon and the Vietnam War". A 2011 Vietnam War Exhibit.

    Home of Record

    VASHON AND THE VIETNAM WAR, 2011

    Curated by Christopher Gaynor, Exhibit Chair Bruce Haulman, designed by Jessica DeWire. “Exhibit Award,” Association of King County Historical Organizations; “Recognition,” Association of Washington Generals.