JUNE 09, 2021by MARYROSE DENTON
Heading out to the Washington Coast beaches always captures a magical feeling for me. And what adds even more mystical fun to time with the surf and sand? Mermaids!!
Yes, mermaids and they are in Westport, WA.
On March 29, 2021, the International Mermaid Museum opened its doors to the public. The museum, located on the grounds of the Westport Winery and Garden Resort, is a beautiful spot to stop along Hwy 105 when heading west from Aberdeen to Westport. You really can’t miss it, just look for the lighthouse, along with a roadside mermaid sculpture by local artist Yosef Adams, standing sentinel out front.
Lounging mermaid sculpture(Image: Richard Schmitz)
The afternoon we visited the museum, Kim Roberts, board chair and founder, met with us about her vision. She is also co-owner of the Westport Winery, adjacent Ocean Daughter’s distillery and Sea Glass restaurant.
“I always wanted to be a mermaid or a lighthouse keeper, now I can have both”, she giggles gesturing to the lighthouse tower situated behind the restaurant and wine-tasting rooms.
As we talked and looked upon the front gardens where a Petanque game (a french game much like lawn bowling) is set up along with a statue of a mermaid, a small sedan pulled up and parked. Roberts turned to both the occupants as they began to leave their car and complimented them on their attire. They were decked out in iridescent skirts with a scale-like pattern.
“I like your skirts”, said Roberts as she winked and twirled in her own matching skirt of sparkling mermaid scales. It is not uncommon for folks to dress the part when visiting the museum, unleashing their own inner mermaid. In fact, Roberts supports and encourages everyone of all ages, races, and genders to self-expression. The theme of inclusion runs throughout the museum and sculpture garden. Roberts makes sure everyone feels welcome.
(Image: Richard Schmitz)
The Westport Winery Garden Resort is open, free of charge, to merfolk of all ages.
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