English Camp Visitor Center — Attraction in San Juan Island

Nice historic place. I and my girlfriend attended a “living history demonstration” on June 30th 2018. There were wonderful people who did the demonstration.

However, a man who was acting as a cooper (makes barrels) for this demonstration got a little too contemporary: He was talking about the practice of women (laundresses) having to marry a soldier in order to be able to work at the camp. In his opinion, that was smart; made sense and was a good answer to the “#metoo problem”— yeah right?. A cooper from more than a century ago should not know about #meeto. That’s a little too much out of the character that he was playing. As a contemporary human being he’s entitled to his views but we (unsuspecting tourists) would be better off not hearing about them. This is the only reason I am giving this experience 4 stars and not 5 stars.

My girlfriend zoned out and did not remember hearing the #meeto part.

The actors were all likely volunteering and I understand not to expect them to be necessarily entertaining. But at least we shouldn’t have to put up with the “cooper’s” bullshittism in the name of...

The San Juan National Historic Park is amazing....Why? Because#1. It is on an island. #2. The Washington State Ferry ride to and from the island is a treat. #3. There are two historic parts to this Park....The American Park and the English Park. #4. The American Park visitor center is brand new and opened recently. It is full of exhibits. The American Park has meadows, beaches, cliffs, and beautiful views of the ocean. If your lucky you may see deer, fox, and lots of birds including Osprey and eagles. #5. The English Park is in a heavily wooded conifer forest that opens up to the sea. Beautiful flower garden, nice trails, friendly volunteers, original buildings still on-site, large 300 year old maple tree on'site......#6. The island drive thru the island is beautiful. #7. Look for whales!!!! Along the coastline drive. #8. Spend time in town...

The English Camp Parade Ground is located on Garrison Bay, in the northwest corner of San Juan Island. Since time immemorial, Lummi, W̱SÁNEĆ, Songhees, Clallam, and other Coast Salish people traveled by canoe to the village site some call Pe'pi'ow'elh, Smiuth, and the Lummi Creation Island. When the Royal Marines landed at English Camp, the longhouse was torn down, and used for the military barracks, and fences. Also, the burial site on Gus Island was burned down. Archeologists removed many items to the Burke Museum and recorded that the village site showed years of a living culture as the grounds were filled with clam middens that averaged ten feet high, from thirty-five to forty feet through, by 120 yards long. The shell middens were used to pave the parade grounds at English Camp and pathways to the...