The Guemes Island Historical Society hosted, “A Conversation with Alumni of the Former Guemes Island Schoolhouse,” at the Community Hall, Saturday, April 20, 2024. It was a night of history, treasured memories and provocative storytelling, told by five former students.
Interesting facts about Guemes Island School District #21:
1873 First log school was built, 3/4 mile east of the ferry landing.
First teacher was Laura O’Bryant, daughter of island settler, H.D. O’Bryant.
1885 Second log school built at the crossroads on land donated by William Eden
1910 A two classroom lumber framed schoolhouse was built at the crossroads.
Guemes Moms taught kindergarten at the Community Hall
1948 Guemes and Anacortes School Districts consolidate. Grades 4-12 attend school in Anacortes
1962 School closed, ‘due to dwindling student numbers, difficulty in finding good teachers and sanitary concerns.’
December 2,1962 Life jackets were installed above each seat on the school bus
1973 school was demolished
1974 School land was deeded to Skagit County and became School House Park.
According to GIHS Minutes, September 13, 2004, ‘At peak, there were maybe 20 kids at one time in the two room school. Older teachers were sent to teach on the island.’
1976 First School Reunion, 2000 Second Reunion
Our Fall Memories Nights is planned. Tom Wooten, chairman of the Samish Indian Nation has agreed to make a presentation. The San Juan Islands are part of the ancestral territories and waterways of the Samish and Guemes Island holds an important place in the history. He will speak to the importance of the last long house on Guemes, wooly dogs, the south shore village, and more. We hope to explore the historical context for the Samish Indian Nation and the impact of early settlers.
GIHS goal is to preserve the history of Guemes, through collecting oral histories, collecting and protecting artifacts and offering Memories Nights. We have an active team, including an archivist and genealogist, who are all dedicated to preserving the rich history of Guemes. A long term goal is to build a permanent venue for sharing our collection with the public. Fundraising is a necessity. We have a list of ideas, please let us know if you would like to contribute.
As a fund raiser, we are collecting recipes to create a new Guemes community cookbook. It has been 52 years since the last community cookbook was printed by the Women’s Fellowship of Guemes Island Community Church. Be sure your family name is included in the new cookbook. Recipes are due by May 31, 2024. Please send to: dawn.ashbach@yahoo.com
For more information on the Guemes Island Historical Society, go to our website: guemeshistoryproject.org
-Dawn Ashbach