National Register Nomination Update for San Juan Island National Historical Park

Project Overview - Your Input Needed

The National Park Service is engaging with participating Coast Salish Tribes, First Nations, and the public on an effort to update San Juan Island National Historical Park's listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This effort aims to recognize historically significant places within the park that reflect the rich and diverse heritage preserved and interpreted for future generations. As part of this effort, the park is kicking off a 60-day public comment period.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register of Historic Places is the official Federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.

Why is this Update Needed?

The park's existing National Register listing from 1966, accessible at the following link, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75613137, focusses exclusively on sites and landmarks in connection with the "Pig War" or Oregon Territory boundary dispute between 1853 and 1872. The expansion of NPS-managed lands by 386-acres on Mitchell Hill and Westcott Bay (in 2010, 2013) included previously unrecorded historic properties.

In 2022, the park opened the new American Camp Visitor Center with interpretive content underscoring the connections of traditionally associated Coast Salish Tribes and descendant communities to parklands. The updated nomination will enrich the park's future interpretive direction to include archeological, agricultural, homesteading, and maritime resources, and other landscapes that reflect the broader historical significance preserved and interpreted.

Call for Public Involvement

We recognize that important family histories, stories from descendant communities, and places of cultural significance to Coast Salish Tribes and First Nations have been excluded from the park's National Register documentation. The public and interested parties are invited to submit comments and contribute information that will help broaden the public's understanding of park properties having significance to the history of their community, Tribe, First Nation, or the nation.

How can I participate?

Join the conversation! Beginning November 14, 2024, click on the "Comment Now" button to submit comments and feedback on individual, family, Tribal, and community connections to the park for the purpose of enhancing and broadening awareness of the park's historical significance.

Your experience of San Juan Island National Historical Park is important. Whether you come to the park every day, every week, or have yet to visit, we want to hear from you!

Public Comments:

What WILL be accepted: online comments and mailed comments only
- -To comment online, please click on the "Comment Now" button
- -To comment via mail, please address comments to:

National Park Service, San Juan Island National Historical Park
National Register Nomination Update
P.O. Box 429
Friday Harbor, WA 98250 USA

What WILL NOT be accepted: bulk comments, email comments, or files on electronic devices such as flash drives

Park Overview

San Juan Island National Historical Park was established as a National Historical Landmark in 1961, and as a National Historical Park in 1966, to preserve the sites of American and English Camps, and to commemorate the historical events that occurred there. Today, the park preserves and interprets nationally significant historic properties, archeological sites, a variety of natural resources, rare and endangered species, and recreational opportunities that attract 300,000 visitors every year. More info at https://www.nps.gov/sajh/index.htm.

Topic Questions Instructions:

Click on the Comment Now button to submit your comments or submit via postal mail.

Topic Questions:

1. What resources, sites, landscapes, or properties do you value in this area and what you think the park needs to preserve and protect?

2. What personal, family, community, or Tribal connections or histories would you like to share that may enhance and expand what the park interprets?

3. What themes, characteristics, historical periods, sites, buildings, or structures would you like the park to emphasize more in its interpretive programs and exhibits? (These contribute to our shared understanding of history, architecture, archeology, engineering or culture.)

Document Content:

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