Quilts, Quarters and Quirks of History

National Historic Preservation Month Events in the San Juan Islands

 — from the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau —

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.

Quilt Exhibits – 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.

Open Quarters and Quirks of History – On May 30^th 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.

Friday Harbor Walking Tours – Three guided walks, May 3^rd, 24^th and 31^st will highlight local historic structures in downtown Friday Harbor and portray the past as long-time islanders lived and remember it.

“History Lives Here” Events Details:

Quilt Events:

May 24 – July 6th – Orcas Historical Museum – Orcas Island Quilt Show, and featured speaker at the Museum on May 11.

May 9 – May 18 – Quilts as Carriers of Community and Women’s History exhibit, Lopez Island Historical Museum – A display of signature quilts made by the Lopez community beginning in the late-1800s. Hours 12 p.m. to 4 p. m.

May 15 – May 17 – Lopez Island, various locations, Quilt History Retreat or a la carte events [link removed by Orcas Issues as possibly corrupt] include Quilt Restoration, Show and Tell, display of Edgar Collection of Early British, French and American 19^th century quilts, A Bed Turning and Tours. Quilt historian and past-president of The Quilters Hall of Fame, Karen Alexander, and has helped organized and will present many of these events: for more information and registration: karenquilt@gmail.com

May 18 – Orcas Island, Orcas Senior Center, Eastsound, 3:30 p.m. Orcas Island Ship Quilt Show, A Community Story.

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: 360.378.2810, call 8 – 4:30 p.m., or via email sstrehlou@fridayharbor.org.

May 14 – San Juan Island, San Juan County Parks, 6-9 p.m. Annual Historic Brann Cabin ol’ Fashioned Bake-Offand 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, starts at the Catholic Church on Price Street. Tour Friday Harbor’s historic religious sites – all have a rich story to tell. Meet at St. Francis Church on Price Street. Information: call 360.378.2810 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, 12-4 p.m., Historic Structures Tour a first glimpse at  historic structures’ interiors that have been closed to the public and are slated for renovation.

More information on May’s History Lives Here events, specials and packages may be found on our History Page https://www.visitsanjuans.com/events/history. For further information call 888-468-3701, ext. 1.