Pigs, Plants, and Pickett: A Peek into San Juan Islands History

The Visitor’s Bureau shares this announcement of how “History Lives Here” brings island stories to life in May…

Who would have thought a trespassing pig could start a war? Only in Washington’s San Juan Islands. Discover this and other colorful stories during History Lives Here – National Historic Preservation Month www.visitsanjuans.com/history-lives-here in the San Juan Islands.

During the month of May, history lovers will have a chance to cruise through island history from the deck of the 52-foot Orcas Express as it sails past iconic lighthouses and other navigational aids used by merchants and smugglers alike. On Lopez Island, visit Hummel Lake and enjoy a presentation and foraging party about traditional Coast Salish food plants such as native crabapples, gooseberries, Indian carrots and Indian celery.

If walls could talk—sometimes they do in The Whale Museum—you’d hear echoes of the events held in this former Oddfellow’s Hall. Stories both historical and supernatural have originated in this iconic old building high on the bluff. Join local historian, Robin Jacobson, to journey through a timeline of the building’s community uses in Friday Harbor from 1892 through today. Hear the story of the infamous 1895 murder trial of teacher Richard Straub and the 1910 Prohibitionist fervor of Billy Sunday, followed by tales of its modern-day evolution into a Salish Sea-focused stewardship museum.

Celebrate the Coast Salish Wooly Dog — Hear how Native people raised flocks of fluffy white dogs and sheared them like sheep. Learn how they spun the dog’s wool to create the unique Salish Sea textile tradition or colorful clothing and blankets. Join widely published ecologist and historian Russel Barsh and botanist and spinner Madrona Murphy for a slideshow presentation, demonstration, and refreshments celebrating the Coast Salish “wooly dog” and the first peoples of the islands.

One can visit several original buildings including the Officers’ Quarters at the American Camp unit of the San Juan Island National Historical Park. This recently restored building once housed the infamous Captain George Pickett, who commanded the garrison at American Camp before later gaining fame for the ill-fated Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg.

Check out the interactive Museum of History and Industry in Friday Harbor and Encampment at the National Historical Park. Take a self-guided tour of Friday Harbor which has more than 150 historic sites within its walkable one-mile radius. Twenty-six of these are described in the Historic Friday Harbor on Foot Tour.

Dropbox link to photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/trfjd4wyngucsg8/AADVLGcsDdIHt4_xDfhQWzd2a?dl=0 Please credit San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau for photos.

History Lives Here Events: More information and other events on May’s History Lives Here and a list of historic lodging properties offering specials, may be found on the Visitors Bureau May History Page www.visitsanjuans.com/history-lives-here. For further information call 888.468.3701, ext. 1.  

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