culture
Centrum Transforms Port Townsend: From Army Base to $4M Arts Hub
From military fort to juvenile detention to a $4 million-a-year nonprofit, the story of Centrum is a story of transformation.
How we reported this
In 1973, music professor Joe Wheeler founded Centrum on the grounds of Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington. What began as a small idea has grown into a $4 million-a-year nonprofit arts and education center that now produces more than 250 public programs annually.
From Military Base to Cultural Hub
The land where Centrum sits has known many lives. Originally home to the S'Klallam and Chemakum people, the area was inhabited by black bears and timber wolves before the U.S. government developed it. In the late 19th century, the U.S. Army built a military base there. Later, the site served as a juvenile detention facility and then as a state park before Centrum was established in 1973.
Today, with 14 full-time staff, Centrum operates as a year-round hub for the arts, hosting concerts, workshops, and artist residencies that draw participants from across the country and around the world. Its programming ranges from classical chamber music to acoustic blues, reflecting a commitment to diverse artistic traditions.
A 50-Year Legacy
In 2023, Centrum marked its 50th anniversary, five decades as an international destination for artists and audiences alike. The milestone was celebrated with a series of events that honored the organization's roots while looking toward its future.
Centrum’s longevity is a testament to its ability to adapt while staying true to its mission. It remains one of the few year-round arts centers housed within a state park, a combination that offers both natural beauty and cultural programming.
As Centrum enters its next 50 years, the organization continues to expand its reach, hosting residencies that bring together established and emerging artists. The site's layered history, from Indigenous land to military base to detention center to state park to arts hub, is a reminder that places can be remade, and that creativity can flourish even on the most unlikely ground.