RJB Family Barn

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❄️ Flashback to a snowy 1990s morning in Sequim! 📸

This view from N Priest Road shows the RJB Barn wearing a heavy winter blanket.

Where the snow slid off, you can spot the famous "Rainbow Roof"; a patchwork of mismatched metal panels created by 3rd-generation family member Jeff Belfield.

Just to the right of the barn sits the "Family Creations" shop, a building built by Jeff so Bonnie Janssen Gragg Belfield and the entire Janssen family could showcase and sell their handmade treasures in the 1990's; from ceramics and woodwork to paintings and knitting! 🎨

While the landscape has changed over the years, our barn and family history still stand proud thanks to generations of love.

🎉 Happy 96th Birthday, Dolores!!! 🎂✨

Dolores (Ray) Janssen, the 2nd generation of the RJB Barn, is pictured here back in the 1980s at Ray's Discovery Bay beach shop. 🌊🏖️

While only a few are captured in this specific photo, this shop use to fill to the very brim with her massive family, grandkids, and lifelong friends!

Pictured here alongside Dolores are:
✨ Dawn Gragg Schafer (4th generation)
✨ Lani Janssen Sanford (4th generation)
✨ Linda Janssen Rowland (3rd generation)

Please join us in wishing Dolores the happiest 96th birthday! Leave your favorite memories and birthday wishes for her in the comments below! 👇❤

Dee June Dan'nLani Sanford Dawn Schafer

Take a look back to 1961 in the old farmhouse backyard. That’s first-generation builder Allene Ray holding her grandson third-generation Allen Janssen!

Just over twenty years before this moment, in 1938, Allene and Dell Ray purchased the Fortman farm. They picked up their tools and began building the RJB Barn, finishing their labor of love in 1940.

You can also spot a piece of lost local history in the background; the Lessel Barn, which sadly fell during the 1990s.

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RJB Family Barn
Construction completed 1940
Restoration started 2020
Sequim WA

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📸 REVEALING A PIECE OF HISTORY: 1951 📸

This is the oldest known image of the RJB Family Barn! Taken back in 1951, this aerial shot captures a moment in time that tells so many stories.

If you look closely, you can see:

A Barn in its Prime: The horse and cattle wooden fencing off the back and the horse carriage sitting out front shows just how active this farm was.

The Land: You can clearly see the irrigation ditches dug into the field and the open space across the street.

Recycled History: In the upper left, there is a pile of lumber with a cool backstory; it was repurposed from the old Sequim theater and was later used to build the Ray's beach house out at Discovery Bay!

Childhood Memories: Check out that old fire engine truck! The Janssen kids still remember the thrill of riding around the farm on it.

It’s incredible to see how much has changed, and yet how much of the original spirit remains. We are working hard to restore this piece of history so it can stand for another 80+ years.

Does anyone else have old photos of the barn or the area? We’d love to see them in the comments!

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