Mukai House and Garden “Most Endangered”

The Washington Trust, a nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding the historic and cultural resources of Washington, has placed the Mukai house and garden on their "most endangered property" list for 2013. Announcement of the most endangered listing will be made this evening at the Washington Trust’s annual historic preservation conference being held in Vancouver, Washington. The Trust publishes the Most Endangered Properties List annually to raise awareness of at-­risk properties in our state, with the hope that the community will respond and move the property toward revitalization.
 
The Friends of Mukai, a new non-­profit recently formed out of concern for the future of the Mukai Farm and Garden, nominated the historic resource to the 2013 List. The goal in nominating the property was to bring attention to inaction by the Island Landmarks organization that bought the site using government grants. In response to the nomination, the Trust considered the uncertainty over the long-­term stewardship for the resource and decided to feature Mukai in this year’s list.
 
The Mukai site is a declared historic landmark because it includes a unique Japanese garden and was the home of the Mukai family, first generation immigrant strawberry farmers who were significant contributors to the Northwest’s agricultural heritage. Since Island Landmarks purchased the property in 2000, virtually no restoration has taken place. The roof of the house leaks. Many of the precious plants in the once beautiful garden have died and rock garden water features have crumbled. Although Island Landmarks was once based on Vashon, the principals moved out of state years ago and, when Islanders began expressing concerns about the property’s neglect and decline, the organization changed its bylaws so all control is now in the hands of a four person board, all of whom live out of state.
 
Friends of Mukai recognize the Most Endangered Property listing as validation of their concerns over the neglect of the property, as well as the lack of public access to the site. For the past year, a fence has prevented all access to the property and a sign in front says that it will be open only two months of the year. In spite of the fence and challenges with the Island Landmarks leadership, Friends of Mukai continues to work to save Mukai from these many years of inaction.
 
Stand Up for Mukai
—This Place Matters
Recognizing the significance of the "Most Endangered Property" listing, the people of Vashon will have a public opportunity to "stand up" for the historic Mukai house and garden on June 1, 2013 at a This Place Matters event. Friends of Mukai, together with the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, and King County 4Culture are co-­sponsoring the Saturday afternoon event, from 1:00 to 4:00 on the street adjacent to the Mukai property. The event will include a mass photo event at 1:30 in front of the Mukai house, followed by speakers, music and a street fair.
 
"The Mukai house and garden is an important part of our shared Vashon history and must be protected," says Glenda Pearson, president of Friends of Mukai. "This event is an opportunity for those who support preservation and restoration of the Mukai property to come together and affirm their commitment to the revitalization of this important Vashon resource. Come to this fun event, bring your friends and neighbors, and together let’s Stand Up for Mukai!" For more information on the This Place Matters event, visit the Friends of Mukai website at www.friendsofmukai.org