Seabeck Historical Timeline
Seabeck Conference Center has a unique history. This is the timeline from the lumber mill days to the present. In 2015 Seabeck celebrates 100 years of service to the people of the Northwest and beyond.
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1776 - The United States declares independence.
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1792 - George Vancouver maps Hood Canal. The deserted shores and silence of wildlife brought ridiculous suspicions by the seamen
of hearing rattlesnakes and other hideous monsters. -
1841 - The Wilkes Expedition maps Seabeck Bay, calling it Scabock Harbor. When pioneers built the sawmill they chose the British
spelling and it has remained Seabeck ever since. -
1856 - Seabeck's first saw mill was built.
The original cookhouse (Meeting House), Hemlock, Madrona, Tamarack, Cypress (staff) and Rhododendron (staff) were built. -
1861 - Lincoln becomes president and the Civil War begins.
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1864 - Cedars is built.
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1869 - The main part of the Inn was built and called the United States Hotel.
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1886 - Fire burns both Seabeck mills.
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1889 - Washington becomes the 42nd state.
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1914 - Laurence Colman buys the land which becomes Seabeck Christian Conference Grounds.
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1915 - The YMCA Youth Conference is the first retreat to be held at Seabeck.
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1917 - United States enters World War I.
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1920 - Seabeck's present dining hall opens to guests.
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1928 - Firs is built.
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1936 - Seabeck Christian Conference Center is formed as a nonprofit organization.
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1941 - Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and the United States enters World War II.
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1942 - The Association of YMCA Retirees held their first conference.
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1945 - World War II ends.
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1949 - The original cookhouse was moved up the hill from the water's edge and becomes the Meeting House.
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1956 - Eliot Institute holds its first retreat at Seabeck.
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1958 - The Fellowship of Reconciliation holds their first retreat.
Maples is built. -
1960 - Seabeck Christian Family Camp begins their tradition at Seabeck.
The Lounge is built. -
1961 - Center for Spiritual Livings holds their first Seabeck retreat.
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1963 - Pines is built and ready for guest use.
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1965 - The Association for Research & Enlightenment holds their first retreat.
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1967 - University Congregational United Church of Christ holds their first Seabeck retreat.
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1968 - Spruce is completed and ready for guest use.
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1969 - First manned landing on the moon.
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1979 - Colman Craft Center is built and ready for use.
Seabeck opens year round. -
1986 - Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind comes to Seabeck for the first time.
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1988 - Reeser House, originally in Silverdale, was moved to Seabeck by barge and set on its foundation. It was built in 1914.
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1989 - The Chapel was donated by a local family. It was taken apart, then rebuilt on the property.
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1991 - Camp Seabeck hold their first retreat.
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1993 - Spruce is renovated and Seabeck has its first private bath building.
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1994 - Seabeck began its first capital campaign to renovate and save the Inn. Phase 2 began in 1999, raising $1.5 million by 2003.
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1998 - Rotary International Youth Exchange holds their first retreat.
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1999 - Celtic Arts Foundation brings their Winter School to Seabeck.
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2001 - 9/11 attack on the United States, killing over 3,000 people.
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2006 - The Pavilion is built.
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2011 - Manzanita and Alder houses are demolished.
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2012 - Huckleberry and Salal opened to guests. These buildings were funded by $1.1 million in donations.
The Boardwalk and Amphitheater were completed and ready for guest use. -
2013 - The Bouncy Bridge is completed.
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2014 - Juniper is torn down and a new Juniper meeting space opens to guests.
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2015 - Seabeck celebrates 100 years of service.
The wheelchair accessible Treehouse is completed.
The Amphitheater gets a facelift with new cement and grass tiered seating.
Spruce gets a makeover with new carpet, blinds, light fixtures, bedding, and paint. -
2016 - Seabeck Mercantile opened, selling all Seabeck logoed merchandise.
A new campus-wide wi-fi system was installed. -
2017 - Kick-off of the new Pines Campaign with hopes of raising $3M and opening the new Pines in 2019.
Rhododendron House (staff housing) was taken down, due to old age