Celebrate San Juan County history throughout May

By Hayley Day • May 3, 2018 5:21 pm

History is alive in the San Juan Islands throughout the month of May thanks to a county-wide program called “History Lives Here.”

“The community has embraced May as local history month,” said Sandy Strehlou, the town of Friday Harbor historic preservation coordinator. “Every year the events are sort of different.”

This year’s programs include walks with the San Juan Island National Historical Park staff and a month-long local history installation at the San Juan Island Library. The local programs are in conjunction with preservation month, which is a national campaign spearheaded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Learning about the islands’ history, said Strehlou, helps to “preserve the sense of place.”

“I believe people crave to know the story of where they live,” she said. “It makes where we live more valuable.”

History Lives Here Events

Friday, May 4

Town of Friday Harbor Proclamation: noon, town council chambers.

Saturday, May 5

San Juan Historical Museum open house and bring-your-own picnic: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., San Juan Historical Museum.

Saturday, May 5-Saturday, May 26

San Juan Island Farmers Market: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays, Brickworks, food, art and farm booths.

Monday, May 7

History talk by Boyd C. Pratt: But What about the Pig?: 7 p.m., San Juan Island Library.

Wednesday, May 9

Russell Barsh: The Salish Sea and North America in 1418: 7:30 p.m., San Juan Island Library.

Friday, May 11

Coast Salish song and dance: 5:30 p.m., San Juan Island Library.

Saturday, May 12

San Juan Historical Museum open house and bring-your-own picnic: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., San Juan Historical Museum.

University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories Open House: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday Harbor Laboratories.

Saturday, May 12-Sunday, Sept. 30

From the Collection: Photos of Eastsound: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; noon-3 p.m., Sunday, Orcas Island Historical Museum.

Saturday, May 19

Orcas Historical Museum shindig dinner and auction: 3 p.m., $45 members. $50 non-members, Orcas Island Historical Museum.

Wednesday, May 23

Workshop: Genealogy and local history research soulmates: 7 p.m., San Juan Island Library.

Friday, May 25

Marjorie Walker installation ribbon-cutting: 4 p.m., Sunshine Alley breezeway, Friday Harbor, a new exhibit detailing the life and art of islander Marjorie Walker.

Saturday, May 26

Historical hike at Young Hill and English Camp: 1 p.m., meet in the English Camp parking lot, sponsored by the San Juan Island National Historical Park.

Sunday, May 27

Historical hike at Belle Vue sheep farm: 1 p.m., meet in the American Camp visitor center parking lot, sponsored by the San Juan Island National Historical Park.

Monday, May 28

Memorial Day parade and ceremony: 10 a.m., lower Spring Street, Friday Harbor.

Thursday, May 31

Workshop: Using your laptop, smartphone and Evernote to simplify local history research: 2 p.m., San Juan Island Library meeting room. Registration required.