Burlington, WA Historical Society

09/17/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Burlington Historical Society
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Burlington, WA Historical Society

Burlington Historical Society Presents: “The Rise and Fall of the Great Skagit Valley Pea Industry”
Free Community Event Highlights How Skagit Valley Fed the World and Built a Region

BURLINGTON, WA — From the early 20th century through 2010, the agricultural landscape of Skagit Valley was defined by a humble green crop with a global reach. At its peak, the region produced an estimated one-fifth of the world’s peas, supplying 17 processing plants across the tri-county area—including five in Skagit County alone.
On Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the Burlington Historical Society invites the public to the Burlington Public Library (820 E. Washington Ave, Burlington, WA) for a special presentation: “The Rise and Fall of the Great Skagit Valley Pea Industry: How the Skagit Valley Fed the World – and Built a Community.”
This free event brings local history to life through guest speakers, historical displays, and personal stories from those who built the industry:
• Don McMoran, WSU Extension County Director, will trace the history of pea acreage in the valley and share vintage photography documenting generations of harvesting equipment.
• Stew Thomas, former General Manager of Terminal Ice & Cold Storage, will reflect on arriving in the valley as a 28-year-old to establish cold storage operations. Thomas helped construct three major facilities to support the booming frozen vegetable and fruit processing sector.
• Featured Community Voices: Additional local speakers and former workers from area processing plants will share firsthand accounts of the industry that shaped the economy and community identity of Skagit Valley.

Event Details:
• Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
• Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Location: Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave, Burlington, WA 98233
• Admission: Free and open to the public

For more information, contact the Burlington Historical Society at [email protected] or visit the Burlington, WA Historical Society page.

09/08/2026

This SATURDAY!

Please join us for this special dedication to honor a local hero who will receive his official U.S. Veteran's Gravestone. Along with the dedication, there will be Civil War re-enactors and Civil War experts on hand to guide you through.

Saturday 9-12-26
10am - 11am
Green Hills Memorial Cemetary
11157 Gardner Road | Burlington, WA. 98233

08/26/2026

Looking for an activity? Have you visited Burlington's Heritage Trail? Take a walk down memory lane! Margie Wilson did a fantastic job spearheading this project!

BURLINGTON — The Burlington Historical Society will host a dedication Saturday for the Burlington Heritage Trail, a self-guided, Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible tour of historic sites in the city.

08/21/2026

Please join us for this special dedication to honor a local hero who will receive his official U.S. Veteran's Gravestone. Along with the dedication, there will be Civil War re-enactors and Civil War experts on hand to guide you through.

Saturday 9-12-26
10am - 11am
Green Hill Memorial Cemetary
11157 Gardner Road | Burlington, WA. 98233

06/09/2026

05/06/2025

The Burlington Community is invited to this historic landmark dedication ceremony. The City of Burlington received a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation (wgpfoundation.org) to erect a historic landmark sign at the Burlington Carnegie Library. The sign recognizes the Carnegie Library as being listed on the National Historic Register. Several local officials with share their remarks before the unveiling. Then the doors of the Carnegie Library will be opened for a quick look inside the historic building. Please note that unfortunately due to the stairs inside the building is not ADA accessible at this time. We hope that this will be upgraded in the future so there is universal access for all. Come join us in celebrating the Burlington Carnegie Library AND it's 109th birthday! (June 1916-June 2025). See you there right after the Berry Dairy Days Parade on Sat., June 21.

05/01/2025

Maypole Dance in Burlington circa 1910, was once a May Day tradition. Location where this photo was taken might be Maiben Park.

10/25/2024

Come join us for this event, Saturday November 2 at 1PM. Hope to see you all there!

06/13/2024

Throwback Thursday
"The Boys of Summer" at Maiben Park in 1916
Original Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1997260203681799&set=a.866244140116750

02/10/2024

Come join us for this event Saturday, March 2.
Hope to see you all there!