Experience the war that wasn’t one: Pig War Encampment, July 20 and 21

July 16, 2024

Perhaps the friendliest war in history was the Pig War, a 13-year conflict that established the border between San Juan County and Canada. Not a shot was fired, and the American and British troops got along quite well, often celebrating holidays together. The National Historical Park Service will honor this unique war with its annual encampment at English Camp.

Over the two days, Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, living history interpreters dressed in period clothing will portray British Royal Marines, American soldiers and Hudson Bay Company employees from the mid-19th century. Visitors can enjoy a range of demonstrations including loom work, metalworking and fur trading. The event will showcase what life was like for military personnel and their families. There will also be games, music and dancing.

The encampment has been held almost every year since 1998. According to Mike Vouri, retired park ranger and island historian, the event originated after a ceremony in which a pole was erected to raise the British flag.

When the British troops arrived and settled in what is now known as English Camp, they erected a wooden pole on which they hoisted the Union Jack. When it was decided that the islands would become part of the United States, the soldiers peacefully packed up and left. The American soldiers rushed to English Camp to hoist the Old Glory on the same wooden pole, only to find that someone had mysteriously cut it down.

The National Historical Park acquired the land in the 1950s and erected a wooden flagpole outside the English Garden. That pole rotted and the park could not raise funds to replace it. Vouri asked England if it could help. The English agreed to provide $5,000 if the National Historical Park Service contributed $4,000, on one condition.

“The only thing the British wanted was a party. They wanted to underline the friendship between the two countries,” Vouri said. “It was appropriate because the two countries had celebrated holidays and other special occasions together.”

A new fiberglass flagpole was installed, the Union Jack was raised and a celebration was held with live historians. The party lasted several days and when it was over, the organizers and participants decided they had had so much fun they wanted to do it again.

Chris DeStaffany, Oren Combs, Ron Garner and Brad Smith became core members of a nonprofit organization called Battery D to support living history events for San Juan Island National Historical Park. Rick Gaylor, Scott George and several others were also involved. Without them, Vouri said, the event would not have happened.

“I’ve never done anything like that before,” laughed Vouri. He also brought Garner, a seasonal ranger with experience in living history events. Vouri took on the role of George Pickett, the American general stationed with his troops at American Camp. For years he performed a one-man play about the general that became so popular that he performed it in venues across the state. This year he will return as Pickett.

Members of Battery D purchased a canopy for the volunteers and organized a field kitchen for the actors. They were also incredibly skilled at period crafts. The group built a mobile forge that mimicked the U.S. Army forge for shoeing horses. They even made the wagon wheels.

“Rick did all the turning on the spokes and Ron worked with volunteers to make the metal bands that were wrapped around the wheel,” Vouri said.

After each camp visit, the group would come together and discuss what went well, what didn’t, and what they would like to see in the future. During one of these meetings, seasonal ranger Simon Sobalewski suggested a candlelight ball. “Rick built a magnificent set of candle lanterns in the same pattern the British and Americans would have used,” Vouri said. “We hung them in the barracks and had the dance.” The ball will be held again this year.

Young people on the island were also involved in the camp. Many grew up with the event, including Micheal Hendrickson, who now works for the fire district.

Vouri said the Pig War Encampment’s largest turnout was in 2009, when about 11,000 people attended on Saturday and 9,000 on Sunday. Two famous ships, the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain, were anchored in the harbor. The bay was too shallow to land them, so guests had to get there by longboat. Rangers paid close attention to how many people walked across the bridge to the longboat. However, when no ranger was nearby, the bridge nearly collapsed under the weight of the crowd. The crisis was averted and everyone was able to get off the bridge without falling into the water, Vouri said. Despite the strain on volunteers and resources due to the number of participants, the weekend was a huge success.

“The event highlights the peaceful resolution of the war,” Vouri said. “All reenactments speak of peace and focus on skills and daily life. After all, there was no fighting at all (during the Pig War).”

Pig War Encampment, July 20 and 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at English Camp in Friday Harbor. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/sajh.