What has shaped our community into what it is today?
How different are we from those who called Friday Harbor home 100 years ago?
How does our past influence our future?
A series of events related to the town’s centennial addresses those questions and more.
“Our Town: A Century in the Making” is a series of educational, social and theater events. The series is funded by the Washington State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, San Juan Island Library, Skagit Valley College, San Juan Community Theatre, San Juan Historical Museum, San Juan Island Community Foundation, and the Town of Friday Harbor Centennial.
— The series begins with a Sunday Evening Social Jan. 18, 7-8:30 p.m., in the San Juan Island Grange. Admission is free.
Participate in an evening of community entertainment. Bring a game, a musical instrument, poem, song, story, or just a friendly ear to listen to others.
Sit by the fireplace and enjoy hot chocolate or cider in a room that has housed special occasions for generations.
— On Jan. 24, 6 p.m., participate in “A Fireside Chat and Community Discussion with Island Elders,” in the San Juan Island Library.
Come hear what life was like for those who made San Juan Island their home up to 100 years ago. Members of pioneer families will share stories about island history, revealing what it means to be a part of this community.
— On Feb. 1, a discussion titled “Compassion, Love and Our Town” begins at 6 p.m. in the San Juan Island Library.
Evergreen State College Professor William Ray Arney and John Davis, director of San Juan Community Theatre’s production of “Our Town,” will discuss the themes touched upon in Thornton Wilder’s classic play.
Known for its simplistic style, “Our Town” explores complicated issues such as the meaning of life, death and love. How has our community — and our town — shaped our sense of compassion and love?
— On Feb. 11, meet Laurie R. King, author of “Folly,” 6 p.m., San Juan Island Grange Hall.
Visit the library and check out King’s suspense novel, “Folly,” which is set in the San Juans, then join the author for a discussion of how people create “community” and what it means to live in an island community.
— The San Juan Community Theatre’s production of Thornton Wilder’s classic play, “Our Town,” is Feb. 26 to March 13. Friday Harbor replaces Grover’s Corners as the setting for the play.
Before or after the play, you’ll want to check out the lobby exhibit, “Friday Harbor: 1900-1930.”
Using aerial, archive and contemporary photographs and other content, the exhibit shows the changes that have occurred over time here, beginning with incorporation in 1909 through the 1930s.
