Activities Planned at Historic Farms During Annual Tour
Demonstrations of traditional canning, food preparation, and agriculture technology are among the activities planned at four historic King County farms during the eighth annual Harvest Celebration Farm Tour Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006. Sponsored by the King County Extension, the Farm Tour features 25 farms across the county, including historic farmsteads in Carnation, Duvall, Auburn, and Vashon Island. Chefs from Slow Food Seattle will be on hand at several sites. "The historic farms give perspective to people on the tour," says event coordinator Andrea Meyer. "They add a different view of rural life that you don't see on modern farms."
The four historic farms on the 2006 Harvest Celebration Farm Tour are:
Hjertoos Farm (31523 NE 40th St, Carnation)
Built around 1910, the barn at the Hjertoos Farm was considerably larger than most Snoqualmie Valley barns of its era. Constructed on a concrete foundation, it had a full hay loft, and used a new system of dimensioned lumber in combination with traditional hewn timber framing. In 2005, 4Culture awarded the owners a $6,700 4Culture Landmark Rehabilitation Program grant to assist with restoration. Scheduled Farm Tour activities include apple cider pressing, a display on the King County Landmark Commission's "Barn Again" program, and local cheeses for sampling.
Dougherty Farm (26526 NE Cherry Valley Road, Duvall)
For 85 years, the Dougherty family has lived and worked at this dairy farm in the Snoqualmie Valley. Eight Dougherty children grew up on the farm and actively contributed to the growth of their community. The Duvall Historical Society is working to bring this property back to life. Scheduled Farm Tour activities include demonstrations of quilt making, butter churning, rope making, traditional canning, and laundry washing.
Neely Mansion (12303 Auburn-Black Diamond Road SE, Auburn)
Located just off State Route 18, the Neely Mansion was completed in 1894 by the son of a prominent local pioneer. Beginning in 1906, the owners rented the property to a long succession of Japanese and Filipino tenant farmers. Now fully restored, the not-for-profit Neely Mansion Association hosts tours and Victorian teas. Scheduled Farm Tour activities include continuous guided tours of the mansion and displays of master gardener projects.
Mukai Farm & Garden (18017 107th Ave. SW, Vashon Island)
Mukai Farm & Garden tells the story of Japanese berry farming in the Puget Sound region. For 23 years, the B.D. Mukai family ran a large-scale strawberry operation at the farm, developing a storage process that allowed sale of the berries to distant markets. The site, which features an elaborate Japanese garden, is maintained by the not-for-profit Island Landmarks. Scheduled Farm Tour activities include hourly tours of the farmhouse, barreling plant, and the gardens.
The Harvest Celebration Farm Tour is co-sponsored by Preservation 4Culture, the King County Landmarks Commission, and the King County Office of Business Relations and Economic Development. For a full schedule of events and a map to the sites, visit the King County Extension website or contact Andrea Meyer, 206 205-3206, andrea.meyer@metrokc.gov.
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