It’s History Lives Here Month

Edward Scribner built this log cabin c.1891 on Mitchell Bay. In 1988 it was donated to the Historical Society, moved to the Museum grounds and restored to near original condition.

For their monthly column, the San Juan Historical Society asks, “Who tells your story?”

These closing four words sung in the Broadway musical “Hamilton” are powerfully simple. They refer not only to Alexander Hamilton, but to every one of us. Just as the stories of our country’s founding patriots are important, so are millions of local history stories of all eras, lived and told by those who were there. Unique or common, they all make up the American experience. It’s why we like to say “This place matters.”

May is the month when island organizations, in observance of History Lives Here Month, pack the calendar with free events like these (just a sampling):

May 5 and 12: San Juan Historical Museum Open House tours

At the San Juan Island Library:
May 7: “But what about the pig?”
May 9: The Salish Sea and North America in 1418
May 23: Genealogy and Local History: Research Soulmates

May 26 and 27: San Juan Island National Historical Park guided hikes

For specific times and details of all History Lives Here events in May, check out the online calendars of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, The San Juan Island Library, Historic Friday Harbor, and the San Juan Historical Society & Museum. 

The San Juan Historical Museum will open May 17 for the season. Regular hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visits at other times are welcome by appointment. Hear a story, tell a story!

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