San Juan Historical Museum

[San Juan Historical Museum]

[IMAGE]

The year is 1894 - twenty nine years after the civil war. You arrive on San Juan Island just after dawn. The only sounds you hear are the clip-clop of the horse-drawn milk wagon making its rounds. Friday Harbor has just become a town, and organized ferry service will not exist for another thirty years. The 1887 territorial census shows 550 residents in all of San Juan County. Farming and agriculture are necessary for sustenance on this isolated island. The James King farmhouse was recently completed, and 72 years later will become the San Juan Historical Museum ...

We invite you to experience island life as it was at the turn of the century through our unique exhibits and living history.

Exhibits

The most northwestern museum in the continental U.S., the San Juan Historical Museum is located on the James King homestead which is over 100 years old. The museum complex consists of the original farmhouse, the first county jail, a turn-of-the-century log cabin, barn, milk house, and carriage house. Click here for a short slide show of these permanent exhibits. Check Events and Calendar for other, current exhibits.

Resource Center

The Resource Center is open to the public and includes hisoric photographs, an extensive oral history collection, a wealth of historic documents, and temporary exhibits. The Center is of special note to individuals interested in local history, scholars researching books, and people studying their genealogy.

Gift Shop

Books on local history, cards, toys and items from local artisans are all on sale in the museum store. Admission is not charged for visiting just the store.

Museum Activities

The Museum has many activities throughout the year. Some of these include: a spring lecture series, the Young Pioneers program for children, the Pig War Picnic / Bite of San Juan, and living history presentations.

Membership

Benefits:

Free admission to Museum and all Special Exhibits
10% discount at Museum Gift Shop
San Juan Historical Museum decal
Quarterly newsletters

Fees:

Individual	$15
Family	$25
Senior (60 and over)	$10
Benefactor	$100
Business	$25

Request an application to become a member by clicking on Membership

Admission

Adults $2.00
Children 6 - 18 $1.00
Under 5 Free
Members Free

Hours

May-Sept.: Thur.-Sat 10:00-4:00, Sun 1:00-4:00
Oct., March, April: Saturday 1:00-4:00
Nov.-Feb.: By Appointment Only

Location

Just minutes from the ferry in Friday Harbor. From the ferry terminal, take Spring Street southwest through town then turn right on Price Street. The Museum is one block ahead on the left. Parking is free.

405 Price Street Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Phone: 360-378-3949

Last Updated: May 16, 2002