Day 158: Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, Washington
📌APIA Every Day (158) - The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, located on the south shore of Eagle Harbor in Bainbridge Island, Washington, commemorates the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. On March 30, 1942, 227 Japanese American residents were gathered at the Eagledale Ferry Dock and sent to incarceration camps, first to Manzanar in California and later to Minidoka in Idaho. This evacuation, prompted by concerns over their proximity to naval bases during wartime, was sudden, with residents given only a few days' notice to leave their properties and belongings behind. After World War II, more than half of the Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island returned, facing significant challenges in rebuilding their lives.
The memorial is part of the Minidoka National Historic Site in Idaho and emphasizes the importance of remembering this period in American history. The central feature is a wall made of old-growth red cedar, granite, and basalt, listing the names of all 276 Japanese and Japanese Americans exiled from Bainbridge Island. The memorial project was led by the Bainbridge Japanese American Community, with significant fundraising efforts starting after its inclusion in the Minidoka National Historic Site in 2008. By 2009, $2.7 million had been raised. The first phase of the memorial, including the construction of the cedar "story wall" designed by architect Johnpaul Jones, was completed in 2011. The landscaping around the memorial features native plants, reflecting the natural environment of the area. The site was listed as a National Historic Site in 2008 with the dedication of the Departure Deck in 2021. Currently, the memorial is in its final planned phase of development with a campaign running through this year or until funding goals are met. APIAHiP will also be offering a tour on Bainbridge Island during our National Forum this upcoming September!
LEARN MORE:
Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association
National Park Service: Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association
National Park Service: Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial (BIJAEM) Photo Gallery
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