Ebey's Landing National Historic Reserve

Visit Whidbey and Camano Islands!

Ebey's Landing National Historical ReserveWebsite
Ebey’s Landing is the nation’s first historical reserve, created in 1978 to protect a rural working landscape & community on Central Whidbey Island. The reserve contains 17,500 acres, 18 working farms, 400 historical structures, native prairies, two state parks, miles of shoreline, a network of trails and the second oldest town in Washington. The Reserve is managed by a 9-member Trust Board.

May 2, Ferry House Celebration
For one afternoon, the historic Ferry House on Ebey's Prairie will open for tours, exploration and a step back in time. On Sunday, May 2 from Noon-3pm, a Ferry House reception will celebrate one of Washington State's oldest buildings through food, music, stories, costume and personal tours. Free to the public. More info: 360-678-6084; emi_morgan@partner.nps.gov.

The Sun is Shining at Ebey's
Ebey's Reserve, on Central Whidbey Island receives only half the rain of nearby Seattle - sunny skies are often above while the rest of the region is covered in a layer of clouds. The reason lies to the West and the Olympic Mountains, whose peaks cause passing clouds to drop their water, creating a rain shadow. Ebey's visitors and residents can comfortably enjoy exploring and experiencing this unique landscape.

Stories within a Cultural Landscape
Some stories of the Reserve's history include Isaac Ebey, the first European-American settler to claim land on Central Whidbey Island before Washington became a state. Isaac wrote to his wife, Rebecca in 1851 saying, "My claim is acknowledged by all to be one of the best in Oregon (Territory). I think it is the best claim on the Pacific. If you could see my potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbages, parsnips, peas, it would almost make your mouth water."

A Unique Partnership
The reserve is a non-traditional unit of the National Park system. It is the first unit of its kind in the system, with most of the land under private ownership. A unit of local government, the Trust Board of Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, is charged with management as called for in the legislation creating the Reserve. The Trust Board is a partnership of local, state and federal governments working collaboratively to ensure the historic and natural resources of the reserve are protected for future generations to enjoy and experience.

AMERICA’S FIRST HISTORICAL RESERVE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS Ebey’s Forever Celebration.

On November 7 & 8, 2008, we celebrated the first 30 years of protecting and sustaining Ebey’s Reserve. Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve tells important stories about our nation’s rural roots and the history of the Pacific Northwest. Experience Ebey’s through self-guided trips, discovering, exploring and celebrating an American cultural landscape. "Whether you are a longtime resident or a first time visitor to the Reserve, the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve has something for you to enjoy and experience.” - Mark Preiss, Reserve Manager.

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is America’s first historical reserve. A unit of the National Park Service. The Reserve was established in 1978 by Congress to preserve and protect a rural community which provides an unbroken and vivid historical record of Pacific Northwest history, from 19th century exploration and settlement to the present time.

Ebey’s Landing includes 25 square miles of a cultural landscape in the heart of Whidbey Island. Within the Reserve boundaries is the historic town of Coupeville, working farms, scenic open space, hiking trails, and two state parks. The Trust Board of Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is charged with management of the Reserve. The Trust Board is a partnership of local, state and federal governments working collaboratively to ensure the historic and natural resources of the reserve are protected for future generations. Changes in the cultural landscape will continue but in a way that respects the past.

Within the fast-growing Puget Sound region, Ebey’s Reserve has quickly become the only remaining area where a broad spectrum of Northwest history is still clearly visible and intact within a large-scale and partially protected landscape. "As partners of the Trust Board, preparing for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Reserve has generated a lot of energy. This couldn't be a better time for all of us to come together as neighbors and colleagues to recommit ourselves to protect our unique landscape, an island treasure we all love.

"Ebey’s Forever means historic preservation, sustainable agriculture, the history of the reserve…there is something for everyone!" – Nancy Conard, Mayor of Coupeville & John Dean, Island County Commissioner. Come experience the Reserve for yourself!

This pioneer spirit and vision continues to be a part of the working rural community we have today.The Ebey's Forever Conference held on November 7 & 8, 2008, featured lectures, workshops and field trips presented, hosted and facilitated by the leading and compelling voices in sustainability, historic preservation, agriculture, education, interpretation, and other disciplines.check out the blog For more information about the 2008 Conference details visit Website

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Whidbey and Camano Islands are only 25 miles north of Seattle, and 2 hours south of Vancouver. See Directions and Maps to learn more about how to get here.