Calendar of Events
2017
Please submit events and dates for your town or area

La Conner – The Skagit County Historical Museum is pleased to host the authors of ‘Fir Island and Conway’, a new publication in the Images of America series.  They will be at the Museum from noon to 2 PM on Saturday April 1^st and Saturday April 8^th signing their book!

 ‘The North Fork and the South Fork of the Skagit River were navigated by those searching for gold and land in the 1870s. Flooding became a deterrent for many, but those who stayed discovered an abundance of fertile soil and natural resources. Scandinavian immigrants, predominantly Norwegian, came to settle in the area, some with their families, and worked in logging and in farming. As the population grew, small towns and businesses were soon established. Skagit City and Fir were located on Fir Island; Conway and Milltown were located east of the island. In 1914, a bridge connected the island to the mainland, replacing the ferry at Mann’s Landing. After many floods, the removal of logjams, and the arrival of the Great Northern Railroad, Mount Vernon began to prosper upriver, and the little towns began to disappear. Today, Fir Island and Conway are destinations for tourists who come to see snow geese and trumpeter swans during migration. Farmers continue to work the soil, and many descendants of pioneers still remain.’

We are delighted to have Dave Obee and Mary Kathryn Kozy as our keynote speakers for this Spring seminar. Get your application in early as this seminar will fill up quickly. Canada is celebrating their 150th anniversary as a Confederation. Our 3-part heritage weekend features 1) an opening reception on Friday evening, 2) dynamic speakers seminar on all day Saturday and 3) a guided Historic Walking tour of Burlington, Washington on Sunday morning. Click this LINK for a Heritage Weekend brochure.

Then of course, the tulip fields await you.

The American Legion Memorial Post #91 present 'The Historic Military Museum

•     La Conner Regional Library is pleased to host a free event,  Hollywood and the Homefront, Tinsel Town's Contribution to World War II, on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at 3 pm at the La Conner Civic Garden Club, 622 S. Second St, La Conner. Experience the still-powerful images, radio and film that emerged from this dramatic time in American history with audio historian and former broadcaster John Jenson, a member of Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau. Jensen will share rarely known stories and anecdotes from Hollywood's war effort and show examples of wartime propaganda through various media that was used to educate, inform and sway American public opinion. This presentation is made possible by a grant to the library from Humanities Washington. Coinciding with this event is a featured exhibit at the Skagit County Historical Museum on loan from the Washington State Secretary of State's Office.  "Washington Remembers World War II" is a collection of compelling photographs, stories and facts from around the globe. Included is a special presentation, "The Skagit Homefront," about Skagitonians who served and those who stayed and kept care of the Home Front.  The exhibit runs through June 25, 2017 at the Museum, 501 S 4th St, in La Conner.

Preserving Your Photos

•  The Concrete Heritage Museum is hosting a free presentation by Samantha Richert of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex on how to care for your photographic prints, slides, and negatives. This will be held at the Concrete Heritage Museum, 7380 Thompson Ave, Concrete (behind the Concrete Theatre) on Tuesday, March 16^th from 6 to 8 pm. Space is limited, so call Samantha at 360-854-7343 to sign up

• Almost everyone has at least one box of old photos squirreled away, often times key parts of the ongoing histories of our families. Old photographs, by their very nature are chemically unstable, and over time deteriorate. Come and benefit from Samantha’s extensive experience as curato for the National Park Service. She encourages you to bring a sampling of your own photo collections if you’d like advice on specific issues.

  The Museum is always interested in scanning historically significant photos of the Upper Skagit Valley to add to the collection on its website (www.concreteheritagemuseum.org). A scanner will be available the evening of the presentation or you may contact Bill Pfeifer at billpfeifer@yahoo.com for more information.

   

   

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  • “Voces del Valle”
    Voices of the Valley
    June 11th thru December 31 2016
     
    Skagit County Historical Museum wins state honor for exhibit, congrats Karen Summers   July 2017 SVH

    Stories of the Latino community in Skagit County from 1940 to the recent history – in their own voices.  What brought them to the Valley - their celebrations, gathering places, traditions, community leaders.  The Braceros Program, the La Guadalupe Club, Cine Rio, and the Mexico Cafe are just some of the stories you will hear.  Come and share your stories. 

   

  • "Spirits of Christmas past come to Sedro-Woolley Museum" Skagit Valley Herald

  • Alger Community Fundraiser, Saturday, September 3 at 10 am to 4 pm, Alger Community Hall, 18735 Parkview Ln., Alger, WA. Donations to Alger Fire Hall.

  • Skagit Valley Genealogical Society has scheduled 4 weekly classes beginning October 1, 2016.  Details are available on our society website  http://skagitvalleygenealogy.org  We would like very much to have you join us if you are new to the hobby of genealogy or you just want to refresh your memory.  We are here to help.

  • The 112th Skagit County Pioneer Picnic this year will be Thursday, August 4 at Pioneer Park in La Conner, WA. The honorees for 'Pioneer Family of the Year' will be the Johnson clan and descendants, specifically siblings: Herman, Alfred, Edvin and Ida Johnson who came into Skagit County around 1891, they made their mark in the Cedardale area and throughout the county since. This years inductee to receive this years 'Pioneer Spirit Award' is Don Wick, recently retired from EDASC.  More information to come. Take the time while on Facebook to find and LIKE 'Skagit County Pioneer Association'. Like us on FACEBOOK

  • Join us Sunday, July 17^th from 1 to 4 PM at the Skagit City School, 17508 Moore Rd, Mount Vernon for the Skagit City School Picnic!  This event is a fundraiser for the rehabilitation of this wonderful historic structure.  Come enjoy a tasty meal catered by Kelley’s BBQ, see the work that has already been accomplished on the school – and learn about the rest of the project and plans for use of the facility.  T-shirts, caps, mugs and totes will be available for purchase so you can be a “Friend of Skagit City School”!  Reserve your tickets now by phoning the Museum at 360-466-3365.  Tickets are $20 for individuals, $60 for a family of four (two adults/two children). 
    
    Suspenseful Opening of a 100 Year Old Time Capsule to Highlight Burlington Library's Anniversary Celebration
    Century-Old Burlington time capsule opening celebrates local history. Skagit Valley Herald
    BURLINGTON – The Burlington Public Library, Burlington Historical Preservation Advisory Board and the fledgling Burlington Historical Society are co-hosting Burlington’s Historic Carnegie Library Centennial Celebration on Saturday, June 25, from noon to 3:00 pm. Festivities kick off with a tour inside the Carnegie Library building by local historian and city councilwoman, Edie Edmundson, from noon to 12:45pm. The Carnegie Library is located in historic downtown Burlington at 901 E. Fairhaven Ave. Immediately following the tour, the festivities move to the Burlington Public Library, one block south of Fairhaven, at 820 Washington Ave. During the celebration the public will witness first hand, “history-in-the-making,” with the suspenseful opening of the 100-year-old Carnegie Library time capsule. The time capsule was installed in June 1916 behind the cornerstone of the Carnegie Library at the start of its construction. The contents of the time capsule and related historical artifacts will be displayed for public viewing at the library during the celebration. The story of the fund raising efforts of a small group of dedicated Burlington women of the Alpha Club who made Burlington's first public library a reality will be told by Karen Prasse, a local historian, archivist and reference librarian at the Burlington Public Library.
    A search is currently underway to locate and invite to this historic event any descendants of these original Alpha Club members. “We hope to be able to extend an invitation to the descendants of these civic minded women so the accomplishments of their ancestors can be recognized by the community at this event,” said Edie Edmundson. “We are asking the media to help us locate these descendants so they can attend.”
    “The local community is sure to be curious about the opening of the 100 year old Carnegie time capsule”, said Margie Wilson, member of the City of Burlington Historic Preservation Advisory Board. “Such an event ranks up there with the viewing of Haley's comet in one's lifetime. Such opportunities only pass through our personal universe once-in-a-lifetime. It is also a rare event for Burlington, especially since so many of these beautiful, historic Carnegie Libraries have fallen under the wrecking ball in other communities.”
    Sarah War, executive director for the Burlington Public Library commented, “The Burlington Library and the City of Burlington are honored to have such a historical landmark that depicts the value of public libraries and ushered in a public library system for our small community. We invite everyone to come out to experience this memorable celebration of the Burlington Public Library's 100th anniversary.”
    All ages welcome. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Burlington Library. Questions: (360) 755-0760, karenp@burlingtonwa.gov,  http://hubhistory.burlingtonwa.gov/.
    On Facebook: burlingtonhistoricalsociety to find out more about Burlington's start-up historical society contact: Margie Wilson, rootsprojectd@frontier.com.

  • Seeking the Descendants of Burlington's Alpha Club for Historic Time Capsule Opening
    BURLINGTON – About 1910 in the small city of Burlington, a group of women established a civic association called, the Alpha Club. Their immediate goal was to promote an interest in reading in this fast growing community. This group of women organized many fund raising programs such as plays and guest lectures for their cause. In 1916 these dedicated women succeeded in gaining the attention of philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie. Mr. Carnegie gave a grant to the City of Burlington for the building of its first public library on the 900 block of East Fairhaven Avenue. This small Carnegie Library building still stands today.
    On Saturday, June 25, at 1:00 pm, one block south at 820 E. Washington Ave., the Burlington Public Library, the time capsule placed in the Carnegie Library's cornerstone in June 1916, will be opened for the first time in 100 years..
    The Burlington Historical Society wishes to recognize at this event the present day descendants of these dedicated Alpha Club members. If you are a descendant or know of a living descendant of an Alpha Club member please contact Margie Wilson, Co-Chair, Burlington Historical Society, (360) 757-6224, rootproject@frontier.com. The Alpha Club was disbanded decades ago but the group was formerly affiliated with the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) a national organization.
    Prior to the time capsule opening at the present Burlington Library, there will be an open-house tour at the Burlington Carnegie Library building from noon to 12:45pm. There will be an opportunity for former patrons of the Carnegie Library to share their memories during the event. If you have a business card, bring it to the event sto add your card in the 2116 time capsule that will be placed back in the building's cornerstone. The Burlington Carnegie Library Centennial events are free and open to the public. For more information visit on Facebook: burlingtonhistoricalsociety and https://burlingtonwa.omeka.net.

  • Sedro-Woolley Museum in Sedro-Woolley, Washington has a new website address and they are excited for you to access it. Just click on this link: sedro-woolleymuseum.com and you will find yourself there.

  • 79th Annual Berry Dairy Days Festival present by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce upcoming Friday, June 17 to Sunday, June 19.  Nothing like Strawberry Shortcake during this fest.

  • 2016 Sedro-Woolley's Loggerodeo 4th of July Celebration in Sedro-Woolley coming this year from June 25 through July 4.  See   Skagit River Journal's webpage on the history of Loggerodeo.  "The oldest Fourth of July celebration in Washington, the Loggerodeo takes place in Sedro-Woolley every year. Dubbed the "grand daddy of the Northwest Independence Day Celebration," this unique extravaganza celebrates the history of both the beginning of a new nation and the rugged heritage of Sedro Woolley."

  • The new Woolley Market, at the site of the old Bus Jungquist Furniture store at State and Metcalf, made its mark soon after rising on July 26, 2014. It was just named Best New Business of 2014 by the Skagit Valley Herald. Weekly highlight: Music and Beer, 5 p.m. Thursdays; Hottest act in town.

  •  Skagit Topic Presentation Ramon Mesa Ledesma June 12th 2 to 4 PM - Ramón Ledesma is a northwest writer living in rural Sedro Woolley. He was born into a family of sixteen brothers and sisters. He’s a Vietnam Veteran, and a graduate of Eastern Washington University, where he earned a BA and M.Ed. He worked as a mental health therapist before turning his energies to writing. Ramon has written several books including “Tomás and the Magic Race Cars”, and “Migrant Sun”, and has another, “Echoes of the Wind”, being published this year. Join us as for a reception celebrating the opening of the exhibit at 4 PM on Sunday, June 12th.