Accomplishments
Awards and Recognition
- Washington State Register of Historic Places (1993)
- National Register of Historic Places (1994)
- John D. Spellman award for Exemplary Achievement for Garden Restoration (2020)
- Washington State Heritage Barn Registry (2022) for the Mukai Cold Process Fruit Barreling Plant
House & Garden
- House restoration including electrical upgrade; front porch significantly stabilized; replaced furnace (2018)
- Restoration of Kuni’s Garden (2019)
- Implemented a pedestrian and vehicle circulation plan (2018)
- Cherry Tree Planting (2018)
- Installation of ADA compliant wheelchair lift and bathroom (2019, 2021)
- Partnership with Vashon Master Gardeners to install a demonstration garden adjacent to the field with Japanese related plantings
Fruit Barreling Plant
- $850,000 building stabilization to prevent its collapse (2020)
- Hired architect Rachael Kitagawa with Hoshide Wanzer to lead the final design and construction oversight for the final restoration effort (2022)
- Engineering team—civil, structural, mechanical—hired for design consultation (2024)
- Design set—drawings and specifications—completed (January 2025)
- Project fundraising towards $3M goal: National Park Service, National Endowment for the Humanities, 4Culture awards including $870,000 Doors Open funding, Third Places grant, Barn grant, several foundations, anticipated state Heritage Capital Grant. Almost fully funded
- Tenant discussions with Vashon Island Growers Association, Fernhorn Bakery, Fuku Ferments, Refill Vashon to occupy the Barreling Plant as the emerging Vashon Island Food Hub
- Construction schedule: begin in late summer of 2025 with completion in January 2026—just in time for the building’s centennial anniversary.
Programs
- Annual Haiku Festival (ongoing)
- Annual Japan Festival (ongoing)
- Day of Remembrance ceremonies (ongoing)
- Master Class cooking and craft series (ongoing)
- Research and Education Symposia (ongoing)
- Asian American Film Watch Parties (ongoing)
- Sponsorship of speakers on historic and cultural topics (ongoing)
- Japanese cultural workshops (ongoing)
- Development of rental program for community organizations and event
Education and Research
- Open houses for youth, cultural organizations and general public (ongoing)
- Educational house and grounds tours for middle school students(ongoing)
- Ongoing research on Mukai and Vashon history
- Adherence to our adopted collections policy (ongoing)
- Installed in the Mukai house of interpretive exhibit on Vashon Japanese American and Mukai family history
- Installation of updated interpretive signage throughout the Mukai campus
Operations
- Support for Executive Director and consultants
- Adhere to adopt historic preservation guidelines for interpretation and rehabilitation
- Adoption and implementation of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in all operations
Communications
- Usage of our logo, tag line, branding, webpage, and social media platforms
- Annual community supporter fund drives
- Implementation of monthly newsletter (ongoing)
Developed videos on Mukai history and on Kuni’s garden