By Lindsay Peyton

The Ballard Historical Society is turning 30—and celebrating over dinner, drinks, music and art.

Head to Hattie’s Hat, 5231 Ballard Ave NW, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16 for the occasion. A portion of the proceeds from the dinner will benefit the nonprofit dedicated to preserving the neighborhood’s history.

President Mary Schile said the location selected for the event is an ideal fit. “Hattie’s is the longest continuously running restaurant in all of Ballard,” she said. “They’re historically minded, and we love them.”

The Low Bar Ramblers will provide Americana music and paintings by Ballard artist Matt Bazemore will be on display.

The plein air painter will bring a selection of pieces depicting Ballard. “I’ve been trying to capture something that’s been vanishing from the old Ave,” he said.

Bazemore uses his art to preserve the ever-changing scenery of Seattle. Looking at a series of pieces depicting Ballard, for example, a viewer will notice how streetscapes have been modified as businesses open and close and new developments come to town.

Ultimately, Bazemore said he hopes to encourage the preservation of Ballard’s history.  “It’s more valuable preserved than anything we could possibly develop,” he said.

The Ballard Historical Society has a similar mission. “We’re just trying to celebrate what was here and why it’s still special,” Schile said.

She explained that the nonprofit originally formed in effort to preserve Ballard’s historic bell tower, a remnant from the time that the neighborhood was its own city, until annexed by Seattle in 1907.

The Ballard Historical Society currently maintains an extensive photo archives with more than 700 images documenting the area’s history.

The group hosts two free lectures a year on a range of topics from the names of the street before the annex to the story behind the Locks. Members are also building a historic map online where images of buildings from Ballard’s past can be found.

“You can roll your cursor over maps of Ballard and see how structures have changed,” Schile said.

Every three years, the nonprofit hosts its “Old House Tour” to showcase the various styles of residential architecture in the neighborhood. The next one is slated for June 2019.

The Ballard Historical Society will continue to celebrate its anniversary with special events throughout the year.

The next occasion is the “Tweed Ride,” slated for 11 a.m. on Oct. 6. Bicyclists will meet at the Bell Tower, 5400 Ballard Ave, for a ride in vintage fashion and tea party.

For more information about the Ballard Historical Society, visit ballardhistory.org.

For more information about Matt Bazemore, visit mattbazemore.com.