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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 Facebook page.
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Burlington Public Library WA, 820 E Washington Ave,Burlington,WA,United States
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