Year in review: Point Roberts Historical Society

The Point Roberts Historical Society’s most significant achievement in 2024 was completing the Point Roberts History Trail, a multi-year project of installing interpretive historical signage around the Point. A final grant payment of $2,000 helped us install the final signs. We also published a full-color map of the locations of the nearly 30 signs on the History Trail.

In June, we hosted a well-attended book signing by author Candace Wellman, author of several books about the Coast Salish people, including their history in Point Roberts.

The Point Roberts History Center, the Point’s first museum, celebrated its fifth anniversary this year. It has become a focal point for visitors from around the world, many of whom were visiting the Point specifically to visit an exclave. There were visits from maritime researchers, a Seattle TV station and relatives of our original homesteaders.

The Historical Society’s president, Mark Swenson, was the keynote speaker at the Point Roberts Taxpayers Association annual general meeting, where he presented new research which contributes to the large body of work which disproves that Point Roberts was a mistake and refutes popular belief that the United States refused a formal offer by Britain to obtain the Point in the 1850s.

The society published its annual newsletter in October. One notable article described helping Icelanders trace their lineage to early Point Roberts settlers. It’s a good example of the Historical Society’s efforts to keep our rich and unique history alive. We hope to continue our stewardship of the Point’s historical record in 2025.