by the Olga

Strawberry Council

The beautifully restored Olga Strawberry Barreling Plant, commonly known as the Artworks Building, has been honored by being designated “Barn of the Month” by Historic Barns of the San Juan Islands.

Though admittedly not quite a “barn,” it is recognized as a “structure significant to the history of agriculture in the islands,” according to Historic Barns.

The entire history and leading up to the present may be found at: http://historicbarnssanjuanislands.com/2015/08/01/barn-of-the-month-olga-strawberry-barreling-plant/.

Not many are familiar with The 100 Friends of Old Island Barns, the entity recognizing the barreling plant as an important structure worthy of note on Orcas Island.  It is an advocacy organization made up of barn owners, historic preservationists and other heritage barn supporters working together to develop strategies for preserving the county’s historic barns and farm buildings.

The 100 Friends was formed in late 2007 to develop strategies for preserving the county’s historic barns and farm buildings.

In addition to conducting the San Juan County Historic Barn Inventory, The 100 Friends has presented programs on the history of historic barns in the San Juans Islands as well as providing information about the Heritage Barn Register, rehabilitation techniques and funding sources to barn owners.

The Strawberry Barreling Plant is owned and operated by the Olga Strawberry Council, a 501(c)(3) non-profit made up of an entirely volunteer Board. Extensive photos and information about the Council, the building, the fire of 2013, its restoration and the businesses housed within its walls may be found on the OSC website at www.olgastrawberrycouncil.org.