A Wonderful Gift for the Historical Museum

New solar panels on the MHI Building at San Juan Historical Museum – Contributed photo

Preserving, interpreting and exhibiting the history of San Juan Island are key components of the San Juan Historical Society and Museum’s mission.

With the maintenance of 1.6 acres of property, eight buildings averaging 90 years of age, insurance and utilities, there are many expenses involved with the overall day to day running of your Historical Museum. Utility costs make up a large portion of our expenses each year with having three power meters and two water meters. We conserve as much as possible, but the fixed costs still remain. Fortunately, help has arrived!

An extremely generous, long-time museum member who wishes to remain anonymous, found a solution to reduce the cost of our electrical usage. A donation to fund all costs to install solar panels on the roof of our Museum of History and Industry (MHI)/barn structure on the Historical Museum grounds. Rainshadow Solar has just completed the project and next time you drive on upper Spring Street, take a look beyond the outfield fence of the baseball field and you will see them.

The MHI/barn has the largest roof surface of all the buildings on the Historical Museum campus. The south facing side receives maximum sun exposure thereby making it the ideal location. The panels will generate enough solar energy to power the MHI and most of our other electrical needs. The cost savings for electricity use will have a significant impact on our bottom line for years to come.

We are very thankful for this most generous donor. Not only for the immediate savings of energy costs, but for her foresight to devise a solution to help the Historical Museum. Thank you for your most generous gift! You have and will make a significant difference well into the future.

In this season of giving, please consider the San Juan Historical Society and Museum in your end of year giving. Your community asset since 1961 needs your continued financial investment. We look to the generosity of the community to support our efforts of preserving the historical treasures and stories of our island. To donate, please visit us online at sjmuseum.org. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers and thousands of annual visitors, we offer our sincere gratitude and appreciation for your support for the past 56 years. Happy Holidays. 

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.