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