Wednesday, May 22, 6:30-9:00 p.m., San Juan County Park
Private contributions being sought to complete interior & finish work on historic Brann Cabin.
Come enjoy pie, games, campfire, and music at the Annual Brann Cabin Bake Off. Attendance is FREE to the public and donations are welcomed.
The restoration of the Brann Cabin to its homesteading period is currently underway. Restoration expert David Rogers is currently working on the stabilization of the 111 year-old cabin. The SJC Parks goal is to create a safe and usable space of historical significance for interpretation of the homesteading period on San Juan Island.
“A building longs to be used, otherwise it will die.” Rogers said, before he began the work.
Not surprisingly, as work proceeds Mr. Rogers is uncovering more problem areas than he’d hoped for. He found that restoration of the floor required significant foundation/support work along with the flooring.
The additional work, added to a very tight budget – in part the result of expected grant funding that fell victim to state budget cuts – means the Parks Department needs private donations to complete the interior work and finish work.
Donors can make tax deductible contributions at any level, or can choose to sponsor a specific piece of the building. Items that can be sponsored range from lime chinking at $1,000 to new Doors at $3,500. Some work is being done with early 20th century tools and materials to insure the cabin remains true to its history. Approximately $37,000 is needed to finish all elements the project.
The Brann cabin is among just a handful of structures remaining from the homesteading period in the San Juan Islands and is believed to be the only homestead on San Juan Island in its original location on public land. It was placed on the Washington Heritage Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Funds raised from the Bake Off will contribute to the doors, window, interior finishing, landscaping, and interpretation for the Brann Cabin.
For pie bake off instructions, call 378-8420 or email San Juan County Parks.
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