This letter is in regards to the OPAL office in Eastsound.

We have not been to Essex, Mass., nor do we see the relevance of the color of a folk art museum there to a replica of an historic farm house here on Orcas Island.

The “farm house” as you call it has particular significance to our family and to the island itself. Gary’s father, Art Reddick, his uncle, Roy Reddick, and his aunt ,Madeline Reddick Haffey were all born there when Gary’s great-grandmother ran a birthing center/boarding house on the premises.

There are many photos both in the family and at the Historical Museum of the original house – none of which show a pumpkin hue.

None of us can understand how after all the pains you took to duplicate the original structure you then chose a color so out of keeping with the original. It looks totally out of place on the island.

Hoping you’ll find a need to modify (change) the color soon.

Patricia Reddick

Orcas Island