MHI Progress Report

Kevin Loftus and Don Nixon in the developing Logging Exhibit (with Lime Exhibit in background) at the new Museum of History and Industry – Tim Dustrude photo

A scale model of a lime kiln – Tim Dustrude photo

Things are coming along nicely up at the Historical Society’s Museum of History and Industry (MHI). When completed, the MHI will showcase four industries that have had a large impact in shaping the history of the San Juan Islands – Fishing, Logging, Farming and Lime.

They plan to have a preview opening of the first two of these exhibits in time for the July 4th holiday weekend, and will be featuring the Lime and Logging industries.

Some of the things to look forward to seeing in these exhibits are:

• An interactive scale model of a lime kiln, built with actual bricks from the real lime kilns that used to operate at Roche Harbor Lime & Cement Company.
• An authentic cart full of limestone like the ones used to transport limestone from the quarries to the lime kilns
• The actual front entryway of Dr. Victor Capron’s house which used to stand right behind where the Hotel de Haro is now. This will be a showcase of photos and artifacts from the lime industry’s heyday.
• Parts of a real sawmill
• Chainsaws of all different kinds from different time periods and various “tools of the trade”
• A lumber exhibit showing how logs are cut into various different products
• Lots of photos and videos to help tell the story of these important island industries
• And much more…

A portion of a quarry cart, filled with real limestone – Tim Dustrude photo

The museum would like to acknowledge the support from these organizations for the Lime, Logging and Fishing exhibits:

Generous financial support from Roche Harbor Resort as well as making available extensive artifacts from the past lime operations, will make the Lime Wing a showcase of this once vibrant industry.

Generous financial support from the Honeywell Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region, will make possible a significant portion of the Logging Wing’s development. Additional donations of materials and artifacts from Egg Lake Sawmill & Shake.

Friday Harbor High School student Nash Nolan’s Community Service Learning Project of the metal salmon to be used in the future development of the Fishing Wing. It is the result of his collaboration with local artist Tom Brumm of Blue Rock Studio.

The museum invites interested members of the community to stop in for a look. They are also looking for stories, photographs and relevant artifacts for inclusion in each exhibit.

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