Submitted by the San Juan Historical Museum.

Every structure tells a story, and the Pioneer Cabin at the San Juan County Fairgrounds, has told our story since erected in 1924. Each log and layer of paint commemorates and chronicles the settlement and growth of a unique life in the San Juan Islands, one anchored in agriculture, ingenuity, and centered around community.

After nearly 100 years, the little Pioneer Cabin was in much need of restoration. In 2022 the San Juan Historical Museum launched RESTORE IN ’24, a commitment to revive this testament to our island life, with the aim to restore the structure for its centennial year. To assist in that effort, the Historical Museum teamed up with HistoriCorps, a nonprofit whose mission is to foster a preservation ethic by engaging volunteers in saving historic places across America. This summer, HistoriCorps has replaced the roof and stabilized the cabin log-by-log, using the means and methods of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The next phase of the restoration process is painting the structure.

As many islanders have learned over the past few years, paint/stain is a significant but necessary investment to ensure longevity. In the case of the little Pioneer Cabin, the bid for paint is $9,500. To help reach the RESTORE IN ’24 goal, the San Juan Historical Museum has been selected to share in the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s annual County Fair Giving Campaign. Through this program, the first $1,000 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Community Foundation.

To ensure your gift for the Pioneer Cabin Painting Project is eligible for SJICF matching funds, it MUST be made during the four days of the 2023 San Juan County Fair – Au.; 16 through Aug.19. Donors can contribute in person at the Community Foundation Fair Booth, online at www.sjicf.org/fair, or by mailing a check payable to SJICF, (dated between Aug 16-19) with SJ

Historical Museum Pioneer Cabin Paint in the memo line, to PO Box 1352, Friday Harbor WA 98250, by phone at 360-378-1001 or at the SJICF office at 640 Mullis St., #104.

Established in 1961, the San Juan Historical Museum shares and interprets the story of the people of San Juan Island and County. Assembling, collecting, preserving, and exhibiting our island life for the enjoyment and education of residents and visitors alike. To learn more, visit www.sjmuseum.org.