In the early years, the nucleus of the San Juan Historical Society's Museum was a few keepsakes placed in homemade cases in the County Court House in 1953. O.G. Wall, Friday Harbor Journal Editor, Milo Smoots and wife Sadie, Etta Egeland, and Frank Mullis with his Indian artifacts, kept alive the interest in local history.

In 1959, the Pig War Centennial brought the importance of keeping historical records to the attention of many others. However, it was not until 1961, led by school teacher Julia Jensen, that four people met to officially organize the San Juan Historical Society. Julia was the first President.

Etta Egeland was one of the first Directors and has been continuously in an active since then. Charles Schmidt, then Prosecuting Attorney, agreed to undertake the legal supervision necessary to incorporate the Society as a non-profit organization.

In 1963, there were only 16 members when the Primrose Club, with Florence Blashfield as President, became sponsors of the Society.

In 1966, George Peacock, a retired school superintendent from Detroit, presented the Society with the property of the 75-year old James King homestead on Price Street in Friday Harbor as a permanent site for the Historical Museum.

The supervision and general appearance of the Museum and grounds results from the loving care given by the Society's members on a voluntary basis since 1966. The Lawson Room in the Museum was ready by 1968 for visitors to view and enjoy. The charm and authenticity of this bedroom established the tone that has been tastefully followed throughout the old farmhouse.
During this time the late Warren Russell, San Juan County's then Prosecuting Attorney, served as President over a period of seven years, while Herb Weifenbach, formerly with the U.S. Treasury, most efficiently served as Treasurer for nine years.

In 1974, the Society's Historian, Remsen Apgar, assembled the history and photographs of ships that had served the San Juan Islands in the early days, and arranged a County Fair display in the pioneer's log cabin. Ruth Hill, in 1975, converted this same log cabin into an original one-room school house of early days, and presented the exhibit at the San Juan County Fair under the auspices of the San Juan Historical Society, as a National Bicentennial tribute.

The jail was brought to the museum grounds in the 1980's, and the Scribner Log Cabin in the 1990's. The Resource Center was acquired by the museum in 1991, and has provided space for an office, collections storage and changing exhibits.

The museum was run entirely by volunteer forces until the first paid Director was hired in 1987. The museum still relies heavily on the volunteer support it has received over the years, and much of museum's expenses have been financed by generous contributions and memorial donations, as well as by the annual dues of the approximately 200 members currently enrolled.

Mission Statement

The purpose of the San Juan Historical Society and its museum is to share and interpret the story of the peoples of San Juan Island. The Historical Society will assemble, collect, preserve, exhibit and make available for future generations historical data, information and artifacts which illustrate the heritage of San Juan Island. Collections, programs and publications will provide for the enjoyment and education of residents and visitors.

Museum Staff and Board of Directors

Staff
Museum Coordinator: Dolly Salazar
Collections Curator: Jen Fleming
Docent Coordinator: Sue Madden

Executive Board Members
President: Mary Jane Anderson
V.P.: Dodie Gann
Treasurer: David Hylton
Secretary: Edith Dickinson
Corresponding Secretary: Kitty Roberts
Member at Large: Mark Fleming

Trustees
Edith Dickinson
Dave Dysart
Barbara Fry
Ramona Jones
Mona Meeker
Pat O'Day
Mike Vouri
Richard Walker

Legal Counsel: Carla J. Higginson