It’s such an ingrained part of our rural landscape that sometimes they blend in with the trees and fields.

The Orcas Island Historical Museum is hoping to shed a little light on some of the island’s longest-standing structures: barns.

“Orcas barns are in danger of disappearing from the  visual, cultural and historical landscape, unless we reinvent ways to utilize them today,” said museum volunteer Margot Shaw.

Inspired by Boyd Pratt and Sandy Strelou’s “San Juan County Historic Barn Inventory,” the museum is presenting a “Tour of Historic Barns” on Orcas Island, featuring seven unique buildings. It’s also a fundraiser for the organization.

The tour is Saturday, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 14 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a barn dance on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in the West Sound Community Hall. Entrance to the dance is $5 for those on the barn tour; for others, it’s $10. Tickets to the tour are $20 or $15 for historical society members, and free for under 12. They are at www.orcasmuseum.org, the historical museum, chamber of commerce, and Art of the Salish Sea. Tickets include a map and directions. A prize will be awarded each week to the winner of a drawing from the purchased ticket numbers.

Lehman Barn, Deep Meadow Farm

This barn was designed by original owner Carl Lehman, a marine engineer based out of Bellingham. It was built in 1946 by Carl and Ray Pineo. Between the years of 1946-1951, the Lehman family ran a Grade A dairy on their 160-acre farm. On Saturday, Russel Barsh will talk about bats and owls.

Barn at Skyloft Ranch

Up until the early 1960s, this barn was part of a small dairy providing products to Deer Harbor residents. Built in the early 1900s, it has a gambrel roof design with sheds on either side. Current resident Walter Henderson is a woodcarver and will be demonstrating in the barn.

Chalmers Barn

Situated on the western slope of Crow Valley with views to the south and east, this gable-roofed structure was built in the early 1900s. On Saturday at 2 p.m., Boyd Pratt will present “All About Barns.” On Sunday, Barsh shares information on bats.

Hambly Apple House

This Crow Valley Road icon has not been open to the public until now. It is a testament to the pinnacle of farm engineering used by homesteaders at the end of the 19th Century. There will be cider pressing demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.

Guilford Barn

This large, gabled, four-bay structure started life as a dairy barn. It’s had an impressive history of expansion and reinvented uses. During the tour, a video will be shown that highlights converting the barn to habitable space.

Coffer Barn – Camp Orkila

This huge gable-roofed post-and-beam structure was built in 1946. Camp Orkila makes efficient use of the space today for horses, hay and large equipment storage. On Saturday, Madrona Murphy will talk about a special project called “Rediscovered Fruits.” On Sunday at 2 p.m., Tom Welch will present “Orcas Orchards of the Past.”

Jorgensen Barn

Many have admired this classic dairy cattle barn on Buckhorn Road that was built in the 1880s. It includes a central hay mow with a wooden track hay carrier, seven milking stanchions and horse drawn equipment. On Sunday, Madrona Murphy shares information on “Rediscovered Fruits.”

Orcas Island Historical Museum

Visit the whole museum with your ticket. A special exhibit in the great hall will feature small farm implements, essays and photos. Many silent auction items will be available in the museum corridor. Bidding closes 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Also available at the museum are 2013 calendars featuring island barns painted by Ray McBride in the 1980s. They are $12.