Are you new to the island? Maybe you’ve wanted to learn more about the place where you live but haven’t had the chance? 

If this is you, the folks at the Island County Historical Museum have the answer.

Beginning Saturday, Oct. 8, and continuing for five weeks, museum staff will offer a series of classes for those who want to learn about the wonderful place they call home.

The museum especially welcomes class participants who think they would like to become volunteers and docents. For these folks, the $25 class fee is refundable after volunteering 50 hours with the museum in 2006.

As a small, nonprofit organization, the museum relies heavily on its volunteer staff.

Tasks that volunteers perform include working with the museum’s various committees, assisting with cataloging and preserving archives and collections materials, working on special events, and performing clerical work.

Museum staff try to match volunteer’s interests and experience to the jobs.

Classes will be held each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The fee is $25 for Island County Historical Society members and $35 for non-members.

Topics which will be covered in each session are:

• Oct. 8 — Native American History with professor Lou LaBombard.

• Oct. 15 — Fur Traders and the Hudson’s Bay Trading Company with professor Deborah Wallin.

• Oct. 22 — Maritime History and Sunnyside Cemetery Tour with local historian and author Roger Sherman.

• Oct.29 — Fort Casey and coastal artillery with military historian Steven Koblyk.

• Nov. 5 — Ebey’s Reserve History, including a Coupeville walking tour.

For more information and or to register for classes, call the museum at 678-3310.