The End of an Era, the Beginning of Education

Update: We are preparing to open May 2012!  Its been two years in the working and we’ve still got a few final touches, like the newt habitat and kokanee salmon at the summit. You will find a wealth of information about KVOS history, measure your arm span against that of the bald eagle and discover our Nature Shop filled with educational materials and What’s Newt? souvenirs.

After starting on Yew Street Road in Bellingham, Rogan Jones Sr. had a vision to broadcast television from the highest point in the San Juan Islands (1954-55). KVOS broadcasted analog television (channel 12) to Washington State but more importantly across the Canadian border At that time there were very few television stations in the largest west coast Canadian City of Vancouver). All that changed with digital, satellite and cable, which brings us to the vacant KVOS building at the summit of Mt. Constitution.

In January of 2009 all television channel broadcasts switched to digital and KVOS elected to remove all equipment and return the building to the state park. This building includes the water system that has been recently brought up to code thanks to the investment of KVOS and public restrooms which will be upgraded in the near future at costs projected to be covered by the park.

Initially state park plans were to consult with architects to redesign and remodel the building to create an interpretive center.

Unfortunately in the fall of 2009 because of state budget cuts the project was put on hold and the park lost a crucial staff member position, the Interpretive Specialist.

This was a great prospect for Friends, a meaningful opportunity for our non-profit group to step up and assist the park. This project met with our mission statement unequivocally: To raise money for the park, coordinate volunteer efforts and provide for educational outreach.

First on our list was to have the building insulated. Due to the mass of KVOS operating equipment within the building, insulation had not been a necessity even in temperatures that dropped below zero. After the building is insulated, Friends will contract with local talent to begin preparing the interior of the building for an interpretive center.

Our Vision: to meet the needs of our visitors and respectfully represent the history at the summit. They want more information about the historical nature of Mt. Constitution. We are bombarded through the season with questions about the KVOS building, the topography of the area and the social history of this historical and natural gem.

We see a necessity to provide visitors with interpretive displays about the natural and human history at the Summit of Mt. Constitution.

We envision a building where rooms feel as though you’ve stepped back in time but may remain outdoors. Floors are painted with the appearance of rustic dirt trails; Douglas fir trees provide shelter and depth to the room. Rogan Jones Sr. is beckoning you to come in and learn more about his vision on the Summit of Mt. Constitution and his impact on the radio and television industry, Puget Sound and Washington state itself.

Friends will seamlessly transform the KVOS shop to the KVOS era: one that educates and inspires visitors from near and far.

Visitors will be given the knowledge to appreciate the geological and ecological features of Mt. Constitution. They will also learn the importance of preserving and protecting the natural, historic and cultural features, sites and structures at Moran State Park.

Our visitors will walk away with a historical and cultural account of Moran State Park and KVOS and they will come back.

To learn more about volunteering in this exciting endeavor contact us. Your generous donations would be gratefully accepted. You may donate via PayPal or mail your donation to Friends P.O. Box 1961 Eastsound, Wa 98245