Topic: History

From the Journal of Frank Mullis: San Juan Island, September 1905

Written on September 11, 2017 at 5:45 am, by

Have you ever wondered what it was like here over 100 years ago? This excerpt from 19 year old Frank Mullis’s Journal of 1905 reveals that in some ways things remain the same. There is still a lot of fruit to pick and process this time of year. What about his cure for the common  Continue Reading

“Tripping the light fantastic” for a Teacher

Written on September 6, 2017 at 5:45 am, by

It’s time for the September edition of the SJ Historical Society’s History Column… With school back in session, we’re thinking of teachers and students from times past, as well. Mark Rosler’s sweet note, pictured here, was found written inside a textbook now preserved in the San Juan Historical Society & Museum’s archives. Mark wrote this  Continue Reading

Island Senior: The Misses Ada and Ella Mullis, Friday Harbor Milliners

Written on August 15, 2017 at 5:51 am, by

San Juan Island has long been home to independent and resourceful women. There were the native women whose wisdom and generosity our early pioneers relied on. There have been stalwart farmwomen who side by side with their husbands or on their own managed to create livelihoods from crops and livestock. And then there were the  Continue Reading

Wearing Identity – Art and Adornment on the Northwest Coast

Written on August 13, 2017 at 5:45 am, by

From tattoos to tennis shoes, cedar back capes to designer hoodies, clothing and jewelry has always communicated deep history and contemporary affiliations. Wearing Identity – Art and Adornment on the Northwest Coast presented by Katie Bunn-Marcuse is sponsored by the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA). The talk at The Grange in Friday Harbor  Continue Reading

The Rendezvous, an island homecoming

Written on August 2, 2017 at 5:48 am, by

SJI Historical Society checks in with their August edition of the History Column… Could you be in this picture? Here we see a beach scene from the legendary annual salmon feast known as The Rendezvous. The snapshot is described as being taken in the 1950s, in the area now known as Shipyard Cove Marina. The  Continue Reading

Book Signing with Boyd

Written on July 8, 2017 at 5:51 am, by

Enjoy a special evening on the Westside with a lighthouse tour and a reading by local historian, Boyd C. Pratt, from his latest book LIME: Quarrying and Limemaking in the San Juan Islands! History buffs of all ages are welcome and encouraged to visit the historic structures at the state park and the Land Bank  Continue Reading

Canoe Journey – Standing Together

Written on July 7, 2017 at 5:56 am, by

Each summer inter-tribal canoes depart from their homeland to a common destination within Coast Salish territory. Canoes will pass through the San Juan Islands on their way to the final destination in the Campbell River with the We Wai Kai Nation & Wei Wai Kum Nation. Canoe families, relatives, friends and spectators are invited to  Continue Reading

Grand Old Flag, Grand Army of the Republic

Written on July 5, 2017 at 5:54 am, by

It’s time for the July edition of the history column from SJI Historical Society… “You’re a high flying flag and forever in peace may you wave.” July in America brings out the patriotic flags and banners — and the islands are no exception. The San Juan Historical Society and Museum archive has many images with  Continue Reading

Island Senior: a Granddaughter’s Memories of Frank Mullis

Written on July 3, 2017 at 5:57 am, by

By Peggy Sue McRae… The smells of summer, Nootka roses, Ocean Spray, and seaweed often trigger memories for me of childhood summers spent at the beach in my grandparents cabin. Perched on a rocky point with water on three sides the cabin was affectionately named, “The Barnacle”. Decorated with garlands of fishing floats strung by  Continue Reading

A Spring Street Ferry Line?

Written on June 7, 2017 at 5:55 am, by

It’s time for the June edition of the SJI Historical Society’s History Column… Not all of the photographs cataloged in the current archives project at the San Juan Historical Museum are of distant eras with prim ladies in long skirts and little boys in knickers. There is much history to be preserved from more recent  Continue Reading

Memorial Day Ceremony

Written on May 29, 2017 at 5:59 am, by

On Memorial Day, Monday May 29th at 10:00 am, view the Traditional Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony. The American Legion Post 163 commemorates the service men and women who have served the nation in various branches of the military with this authentic small town parade and ceremony. Sponsored by American Legion Post 163.

Know Your Island Walk

Written on May 22, 2017 at 8:36 am, by

A walk back in time:  Local historian Boyd Pratt and Robin Jacobson of the San Juan Historical Society & Museum will lead a walk along the Airport Trail, up Cattle Point Road and Madden Lane, and then onto the St. Francis and Valley Cemeteries for a trip back in history. (Robin will meet us at  Continue Reading

Researching Our History Workshop

Written on May 17, 2017 at 5:39 am, by

There are many great reasons for knowing how to track down historical records and other information. You might want to know: the history of the house you live in your own family history how to demonstrate that your property is eligible for landmarking the history of the organization you work for use with reports, grant  Continue Reading

Island Senior: Who were the Mullises?

Written on May 15, 2017 at 5:57 am, by

Story by Peggy Sue McRae… There is a plaque on the outside of the Mullis Center that reads, This land is a gift to the seniors of San Juan Island to honor the memory of our grandparents George and Emma Mullis and our parents Frank and Belle Mullis – from Ina Mullis Gustin, James and  Continue Reading

Boyd Pratt book Launch at the Grange

Written on May 12, 2017 at 5:53 am, by

Have you ever wondered how lime is made from limestone? Or gazed in wonder at the lime kilns scattered across our islands? Why, for that matter, is our State Park called Lime Kiln? Local architectural historian Boyd C. Pratt’s new book Lime: Quarrying and Limemaking in the San Juan Islands tells all. Boyd will review  Continue Reading

Expedition to Ancient Micronesian sites

Written on May 6, 2017 at 5:47 am, by

Lynn Danaher, President of Pacific Islands Research Institute and Director of the Friday Harbor Film Festival writes to share this news with you… Pacific Islands Research Institute expedition to ancient Micronesian sites Our expedition will visit 2 remote islands in Micronesia, Kosrae (sites: Menke and Leluh) and Pohnpei (Nan Madol).  We will investigate the relationship  Continue Reading