Thanks to all who helped…

The new postcard....

We have history on the brain here on the island, since Friday Harbor was founded 100 years ago…here’s more from Sandy at the Town’s Historical Preservation office:

May 2009 was National Historic Preservation Month, and this year it was better than ever!

Throughout the month, there were 19 local history events that took place island-wide, most free to the public. Some of them, like the historic church open houses, and the guided tour of Roche Harbor, are rarely offered. Feedback from event participants for all of the events has been enthusiastic, and many who missed them have asked for a second chance next year.

Each of the organizations who helped make Preservation Month a success deserve thanks: the San Juan Historical Society, St. Francis Catholic Church, the San Juan Island National Historical Park, San Juan County District Court, Lime Kiln State Park, Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church, The 100 Friends of Old island Barns, the San Juan Community Theatre, the Christian Science Society, the American Legion Hackett Larson Post 163, Lakedale Resort, and Roche Harbor.

National Historic Preservation Month will be celebrated again in May next year, and I hope even more organizations will come up with creative ways to celebrate local history. The Cultural Tourism committee of the San Juan Islands Visitor’s Bureau will help promote it far and wide, and the TFH will take the lead in coordinating on-island.  With so much going on, it’s no wonder that the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated Friday Harbor a Distinctive Destination.

Until then, the centennial celebrations are far from over. Upcoming centennial events sponsored by Town of Friday Harbor, the Friday Harbor Fire Department, the San Juan Island National Historical Park, the Masonic Lodge, and Jensen’s Shipyard will take place in the coming months.

For a small island, we have a rich history and a wealth of historic resources worth seeing, preserving and experiencing again and again.

For more information about upcoming local history events go to www.historicfridayharbor.org.

Sandy Strehlou
Historic Preservation Coordinator
Town of Friday Harbor

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