The Mason County Historical Museum (5th St. and Railroad Ave., 360/426-1020, noon–5 p.m. Tues.–Fri., noon–4 p.m. Sat., donations accepted), in the old library building, emphasizes the importance of logging in Shelton’s [1] history with displays on railroad logging, historical photos, and artifacts.
“Tollie,” the locomotive in downtown Shelton between 2nd and 3rd on Railroad Ave., is a 96-ton Shay logging engine that saw most of the country in its heyday. Behind it sits a red caboose housing the visitors center. Downtown Shelton has a number of antique shops scattered along Railroad Avenue.
The Bronze Works (50 W. Fredson Rd., 360/427-3857 or 888/821-0372, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat.) is a critical part of the Kimberly T. Gallery and Sculpture Garden. Located four miles south of town on Highway 101, this is the only bronze foundry in Washington. Visitors can tour the facility and view finished pieces in the gallery; bronze is poured most Thursdays. Classes and workshops are available.
Tour the Department of Wildlife’s Shelton Trout Hatchery (Eells Hill Rd., approximately eight miles north of Shelton [1], 360/426-3669, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily). Continue up the road, turning right at the sign marking Denny Ahl Seed Orchard, and cross over the 440-foot-high Steel Arch Bridge that spans the Skokomish Gorge.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/olympic-peninsula-and-the-coast/hood-canal/shelton