Topic: History

Superpod 6: Music and Fun at Lime Kiln Park

Written on July 10, 2018 at 5:20 am, by

From Erin Corra of FOLKS, Friends of Lime Kiln Society… Join together with supporters of Lime Kiln Point State Park on Thursday, July 19 for a musical evening at our beautiful whale watch park. Bring a picnic and enjoy a sunset tour of the historic lighthouse with friends old and new. Who knows, maybe our  Continue Reading

Saturday Activities With Our National Parks

Written on July 7, 2018 at 5:15 am, by

GEOLOGICAL HIKE: 9:00 am – 11:00 am. These easy to moderately difficult walks up Young Hill near English Camp, and Mt. Finlayson near American Camp, focus on the geology of the San Juan Islands over the last 230 million years of earth’s history. From tectonic movement, to accretion, to uplift, volcanism, glaciation, erosion, and more, these  Continue Reading

A Cook’s Cabin Full of Clues

Written on July 4, 2018 at 5:47 am, by

Here’s the monthly History Column for July from San Juan Historical Society and Museum… There is so much to see in this historical photograph taken at a Salmon Bank fish camp on the south end of San Juan Island. It is rare to see an island photograph of an interior scene from over 100 years  Continue Reading

Orpha’s Lilacs Before the Bulldozer

Written on June 11, 2018 at 5:54 am, by

Those who have been reading the SJ Update for a while may recall a story from 4 years ago this month, “Before the Bulldozer“, describing how Friday Harbor resident Chinmayo saved a cherry tree that was growing on some land that was about to be bulldozed and developed for new construction. Well, she is at  Continue Reading

Island Icon Celebrates 60th Year

Written on June 6, 2018 at 5:50 am, by

The SJI Historical Society checks in with their monthly History Column for June… This month’s column recognizes not an iconic islander but rather an iconic business. A favorite of many during its 60 years, Vic’s Drive-In opened on June 28, 1958. Call it a Drive Inn or Drive-In, it’s always been Vic’s and the hamburgers  Continue Reading

Mist-Chi-Mas: A Novel Of Captivity

Written on May 4, 2018 at 5:46 am, by

Janet Oakley has long ties to San Juan Island and on this return trip, she will be presenting her latest novel, Mist-Chi-Mas: A Novel of Captivity, at the San Juan Island Library, Wednesday, May 16, 7:00 pm. Griffin Bay Bookstore and the Library encourage you to come out for her book talk about the novel  Continue Reading

History Lives Here in May

Written on May 3, 2018 at 5:48 am, by

Peek into San Juan Islands History: First Nations, Farmers, and Fruit “History Lives Here” brings island stories to life in May The history of the San Juan Islands shaped Washington – literally. If history had taken a slightly different turn during the “Pig War” standoff from 1859 – 1872, we’d be writing this missive from  Continue Reading

Historic Preservation Review Board

Written on May 3, 2018 at 5:47 am, by

Sandy Strehlou is looking for some help on the HPRB. Here she is with more… The Town of Friday Harbor has a vacant position on the (HPRB), and at this time I am throwing out a wide net in the hopes of finding a good person to fill the position. Anyone living on San Juan  Continue Reading

It’s History Lives Here Month

Written on May 2, 2018 at 5:49 am, by

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  Continue Reading

But What about the Pig

Written on April 30, 2018 at 5:45 am, by

The next Know Your Islanders Talks event will feature Boyd C. Pratt examining that signal event of the Pig War from a porcine point of view… What breed was the boar and what was he doing running loose? Why did Lyman Cutlar have a potato patch, there in a Hudson’s Bay Company “prime sheep run”?   Continue Reading

Open Houses for “History Lives Here” Month

Written on April 25, 2018 at 5:45 am, by

As part of “History Lives Here” month, during the month of May and in preparation for the summer visitor season, the San Juan Historical Society and Museum will have two Open Houses to welcome the community and interested visitors to this popular attraction in Friday Harbor.   The Museum’s eight buildings and grounds will be  Continue Reading

Red Cross to the Rescue: 100 Year Anniversary for San Juan County Chapter

Written on April 4, 2018 at 5:48 am, by

 It’s time for the April installment of the San Juan Historical Society’s monthly History Column… Although most know the importance of American Red Cross efforts in disaster relief today, fewer know that our local chapter was officially formed 100 years ago on January 11, 1918. That’s quite a history of volunteer service. Since it is  Continue Reading

Historical Preservation Funds Available

Written on April 4, 2018 at 5:40 am, by

Request For Proposals To Receive San Juan County Council’s Historical Preservation Funds The San Juan County Council has discretionary funds, generated by recording fees intended to promote historical preservation or historical programs, which may include preservation of historic documents. The Council is currently seeking proposals for projects to use $5,733 in funds to be awarded  Continue Reading

Down on the Farm

Written on March 7, 2018 at 5:53 am, by

SJI Historical Society checks in with this month’s History Column… “Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” – Lewis Grizzard, American essayist The cold of winter is behind us and thoughts turn toward the joys of this first month of spring, with new life in farm pastures and valley fields.  Continue Reading

Position Opening on Historic Preservation Review Board

Written on March 1, 2018 at 5:49 am, by

Is every old building worth saving? Not always. However, by preserving some, we protect the visual fabric of our community’s character. By carefully rehabilitating buildings in a way that honors the original ubiquitous building style of their day, we preserve some of the architectural story that gives our community its authentic sense of place. With  Continue Reading

Spring at the Historical Museum

Written on February 27, 2018 at 5:48 am, by

Hello everyone! Just a quick note to update you on the upcoming events at the Museum; lots happening, lots of volunteers needed (as always): – Board of Trustees expanding in size: to accommodate the current demands on the Museum with projects, the Board will be expanding in size. We need 2-3 interested applicants for openings,  Continue Reading