“Photo: The South Whidbey Historical Society Museum is almost finished with renovation, but it is ready now for small group tours.Jim Larsen/staff photo The South Whidbey Historical Society Museum won’t open until fall, but small groups can arrange a sneak preview. According to Jerry Dunham, a member of the museum’s board of directors, the museum renovation has received great support from the community, but with all-volunteer help, it has taken longer than expected to complete the exhibits. You know what summer months mean on the island, he said. As a result, the board has decided to postpone a grand opening until an unspecified date in the fall. However, small groups may tour the museum by invitation in order to see the museum in progress. The board anticipates that many of the donors to the museum, city and county officials, and history buffs will be interested in a preview. To arrange a tour, call Winnie McLeod, 730-3367, or Virginia Jones Price, 579-4696. Also welcome are representatives from service clubs, churches and school classes. Museum in Progress tours will begin in August. Dunham said those who have seen the museum are excited about designer Lee Wexler’s conceptual designs for the interior and exhibit presentations. He was faced with a long, narrow building and a large amount of material to exhibit, Dunham said. Tour-takers will see the extraordinary creativity with which he has made our museum a genuine gem. The museum building was built around the turn of the century as a bunkhouse for loggers employed by Langley founder Jacob Anthes. In the last three years the building has been completely renovated and a small addition added for storage. The museum is located on Second Street across from Langley Park. “