Friday Harbor’s five museums will be open late Thursday to celebrate the Friday Harbor Museum District, a collaborative partnership of the museums.

The following museums will be open late, with free admission and refreshments:

— Friday Harbor Veterans Museum, 110 First St.

— San Juan Historical Museum, 405 Price St.

— San Juan Islands Museum of Art, 28 First St.

— The Whale Museum, 62 First St.

— San Juan Aviation Museum, at Friday Harbor Airport.

Friday Harbor’s five museums formed the Friday Harbor Museum District, a collaboration to better promote the town’s museums and improve the museum experience for islanders and visitors.

“The directors of the islands’ museums recognize that there is benefit in collaboration, and seek to work together to improve and maximize the overall museum experience for visitors,” a statement of purpose states.

Museum District participants have developed a colorful brochure, to be distributed in hotels, inns and visitor centers on the island and the mainland, promoting the features of each museum, which are within walking distance of the ferry landing. Joint promotional events, like a Museum Night with walking tours of Friday Harbor’s historic district, are being planned for the future.

Friday Harbor Museum District board members are Jenny Atkinson, The Whale Museum; Peter DeLorenzi, Friday Harbor Veterans Museum; Dr. John Geyman, San Juan Aviation Museum; Marita Holdaway, Islands Museum of Art; and Kevin Loftus, San Juan Historical Museum.

Five museums within walking distance
Friday Harbor has museums related to art, aviation, island history, military history, and the marine environment.

Front Street is home to the Islands Museum of Art, The Whale Museum, and the Friday Harbor Veterans Museum. Uptown, on Price Street, is the San Juan Historical Museum, which has park-like grounds ideal for picnic and rest. The nearby airport trail, maintained by the San Juan Island Trails Committee, leads from Spring Street to the Friday Harbor Airport, home of the San Juan Aviation Museum.

The Friday Harbor Museum District brochure has a location map and logos of each museum along with hours and description of features. The brochure is sponsored by Classic Cab, Doctor’s Office Cafe, Friday Harbor House, Garden Path Café, and Kenmore Air.