During “History Lives Here,” National Historic Preservation Month in May, quilt exhibits, guided tours, lectures, open historic officers’ quarters and other special events will convey the islands’ captivating and often quirky history.
The Lopez and Orcas Historical Societies will present new exhibits and programs that feature historic and contemporary quilts. The central theme will be quilts as carriers of community and women’s history, with an emphasis on signature quilts. See listings below.
On May 30, a Fireside Talk “Legacy of American Camp” at the San Juan Island Library will commemorate the long history of the camp’s structures during and after what is most likely the oddest titled conflict in history — the “Pig War” — a territorial dispute between the U.S. and Great Britain in which the only causality was a pig.
On May 31, the San Juan Island National Historical Park’s officers’ quarters, laundresses and other historical structures will be open to the public for touring at American Camp.
Three guided walks on May 3, 24 and 31 will highlight local historic structures in downtown Friday Harbor and portray the past as long-time islanders lived and remember it.
More information on May’s History Lives Here events, specials and packages can be found at http://www.visitsanjuans.com/events/history.
From May 9 to May 18, “Quilts as Carriers of Community and Women’s History” exhibit will be at the Lopez Island Historical Museum. It is a display of signature quilts made by the Lopez community beginning in the late-1800s. Hours are noon to 4 p.m.
From May 15 to May 17 on Lopez, enjoy a Quilt History Retreat or a la carte events including quilt restoration, show and tell, display of Edgar Collection of Early British, French and American 19th century quilts and tours. Quilt historian and past-president of The Quilters Hall of Fame, Karen Alexander has helped organized and will present many of these events. For more information and registration: karenquilt@gmail.com
On May 18 at the Orcas Senior Center there will be “Orcas Island Ship Quilt Show, A Community Story” at 3:30 p.m.
From May 24 to July 6, the “Orcas Island Quilt Show” will be in display the Orcas Historical Museum. It will feature handmade quilts made by Orcas Island women.
Other Events
May 3 – Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, 10 a.m. Historic Downtown Friday Harbor Free guided tour tells the story of Friday Harbor’s heritage through the buildings and people you will meet as you walk the downtown. Begins at Memorial Park, information: 378.2810, call 8 to 4:30 p.m., or via email sstrehlou@fridayharbor.org.
May 14 – San Juan Island, San Juan County Parks, 6 to 9 p.m. Annual Historic Brann Cabin ol’ Fashioned Bake-Off and bonfire.
May 21 – Friday Harbor, San Juan Grange Hall, 7 p.m. The Grange Hall History: free history talk. From church to grange a fascinating evolution.
May 24 – Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, 1-4 p.m. Historic Churches of Friday Harbor: free guided tour. Tour Friday Harbor’s historic religious sites – all have a rich story to tell. Meet at St. Francis Church on Price Street.
Information: call 378-2810 or via email to sstrehlou@fridayharbor.org.
May 28 – Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Library 7 p.m. The History of Sunshine Alley: free history talk with stories and pictures. Local historian Boyd Pratt’s talk will focus on the evolution of the Alley, which is in the works to become a Friday Harbor destination.
Before redevelopment begins, discover its secrets, how it changed over time, and the people who lived and worked there.
May 30 – Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Library, 7 p.m. Legacy of American Camp Fireside Chat, a talk with pioneer families about their role in preserving “Pig War” structures and life in early times on the island.
May 31 – Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, 10 a.m. Sunshine Alley: free guided history walking tour. Meet at Brickworks on Sunshine Alley, under the bell.
Local historian Boyd Pratt’s talk will focus on the evolution of the Alley, in the works to become a Friday Harbor destination – discover its secrets, how it changed over time and the people who lived and worked there.
May 31 – San Juan Island National Historical Park, American Camp parade grounds, open historic structures tour, 12 to 4 p.m., Historic Structures Tour a first glimpse at historic structures’ interiors that have been closed to the public and are slated for renovation.
