Orcas Island and The Marshall Strawberry

Here’s a press release from our neighbors on Orcas Island…

A bowl of Marshall Strawberries – Contributed photo

The Marshall Strawberry and the Olga Strawberry Barreling Plant legacy on Orcas Island were short-lived and shared succinctly intertwined legacies. Not everyone knows that what is now commonly referred to as the Artworks Building was originally the Olga Strawberry Barreling Plant and holds a special place in the hearts of Olga and Orcas Island.

The Olga Strawberry Council (OSC) is the non-profit charged with maintaining the historical integrity of this building that is on the Washington Heritage Register of Historic Places.

To honor and share their legacies, OSC is proud to present a 6-week informational series of events with the express purpose of enlightening the community and beyond of the Marshall and the barreling plant’s significant place in the annals of history that promise to fulfill not only your curiosity but your creativity as well. Check them out:

• Saturday, May 7 – “Natural Materials Assemblage” workshop. For those interesting in creating art while playing with food (including strawberries) and natural materials. 2 – 5 p.m. $40 per person. Call 360-376-3371. Olga Community Club.

• Monday, May 9 – “The Restoration, propagation and Preservation of the Treasured Marshall Strawberry.” For those wishing to learn all about the almost extinct Marshall Strawberry as well as growing and preserving it for your own garden. 2 – 4 p.m. Free. Olga Community Club.

• Saturday, May 28 – “Marshall Memories,” an informal, fun get-together with local elders and historians talking about the Marshall era. 2 – 4 p.m. Free Olga Community Club.

• Friday, June 10 – “Restoring the Barreling Plant,” for those interested in learning the challenges and triumphs of restoring this historic building after the fire of 2013. 6 p.m. Artworks building.

• Sunday, June 19 – The Orcas Artworks “Strawberry Festival” – art demonstrations, music, lemonade, bunches of strawberry-related items and, of course, ice cream! 1 to 3 p.m. at the Artworks building. Free to all.

To learn more about each – go to www.olgastrawberrycouncil.org/workshops or call 360-376-3371.

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