Rosario Resort and Orcas Historical Museum to celebrate Moran Mansion centennial

A fundraiser benefiting the Orcas Island Historical Society and Museum will be held on Sunday, June 21, 2009, the Centennial of the completion of the Moran Mansion at Rosario. The “Moran Centennial House Tour” will feature four Robert Moran built homes, including Robert Moran’s White Beach home, built after Moran sold Rosario in 1938. Deer Harbor Charters will provide an optional boat shuttle to transport tour guests from Rosario’s dock to the Moran White Beach home. Culminating the day will be a Centennial Celebration featuring refreshments at 4 p.m. in the Moran Mansion at Rosario.

Other homes on the self-guided tour will be a recently restored Moran Bungalow, one of several Rosario area homes built by Moran for family and staff, the Roundhouse at Rosario, built by Moran as a playhouse for his children, and the historic Moran Mansion, housing the nautical Moran Museum which features new exhibits for this Centennial year. The Orcas Island Historical Museum will also be open for guests to view a special Moran exhibit.

“We are thrilled to team up with the Orcas Island Historical Society to honor the Centennial of the Moran Mansion at Rosario,” Rosario General Manager Christopher Peacock said. “Moran's legacy is visible in the land he acquired and the structures he built with the principles of the Craftsman Home – simplicity, durability, fitness for the life that is to be lived in the house, and harmony with its natural surroundings".

As June 21 is Father’s Day, Peacock hopes the community will come out and recognize one of Orcas Island’s great founding fathers. He says it will also be a great opportunity for the community to meet Rosario’s new owners Jerry and Jan Barto, while at the same time raising much needed funds for the Orcas Island Historical Museum.

On display at Rosario will be the original guest registry from move-in day signed by many members of the Moran Family on June 21, 1909.

“The family is loaning the registry from Moran’s White Beach house. Thanks to the Moran Family, we have a rare not-to-be-missed opportunity to view Robert Moran’s unique last home,” museum member Margot Shaw said.

Tickets are on sale at Darvill’s, the Orcas Island Historical Museum, and Rosario Resort’s front desk. Cost for the tickets $20 adult, $10 student, and children under 12 are free with an adult. Tickets will also allow guests entrance to the 4 p.m. Centennial Celebration at Rosario, as well as meal discounts the day of the event at the Cascade Bay Grill.

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