Every year Preservation Month provides a moment to remember, to understand, and acknowledge why this town, this island and cluster of islands is unique.

This year National Historic Preservation Month concluded with over 15 well-attended local history events sponsored by the Town of Friday Harbor and other organizations.

Many wonderful people and local organizations took part in the story-telling and deserve recognition: Sam Jacobson and Boyd Pratt led tours of Roche Harbor Village and the McMillin family Mausoleum.

Mapmaker Emily Reed launched an updated “Discover Historic Friday Harbor Then and Now” and practically the whole town showed up to thank her.

Kevin Loftus and the San Juan Historical Museum hosted history talks on local fishing stories and lighthouses, and led visitors on a tour of the museum buildings.

The Friday Harbor Marine Laboratory participated for the first time with a talk on the history of the Labs (thank you, Claudia Mills). Liz Illg and San Juan Island Library sponsored a workshop with Marie McCaffrey from Historylink.org for local historians and writers. (Thank you, Adrianne and Floyd Bourne).

There were walking tours of Friday Harbor, and yet another great talk by National Park historian Mike Vouri, this time on the Royal Marine Blockhouse at English Camp. The great staff of the County Parks Department put on an old fashioned bake-off and bonfire to support restoration of the Brann Cabin at San Juan County Park, and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 163 held its annual Memorial Day Parade.

And there were awards; lots of awards for preservation good deeds on lower Spring Street (yay HPRB members and all deserving recipients).

The Journal of the San Juans and fridayharbornow.com did a fabulous job helping to get the word out and everyone had a great time. Thanks to all, see you next year.

Sandy Strehlou, Town of Friday Harbor, HPC