The City of Auburn purchased Mary Olson Farm through the King County Conservation Futures Fund in 1994 and the restoration work started a few years later, following a period of planning. The farm's restoration budget totaled $1.64 million, of which $1.61 million was raised through City support, donations and grants. All donors will be officially recognized at the grand-opening event.

Today, the Mary Olson Farm is a King County Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Significant features include an 1897 barn, a fully restored 1902 farmhouse, a century-old orchard, three salmon runs in Olson Creek and a remarkable collection of outbuildings, including a smoke house, outhouse and weaving house. The farm will operate as a living history and environmental learning site, and will also be available for community and special events.

Despite the ongoing restoration work, Mary Olson Farm has hosted field trips for first and sixth graders in the Auburn School District since 2007. The first grade students explore life on the farm and where our food comes from, while the sixth graders learn about stream ecology and salmon life cycles. Tours for students from private schools and other districts were initiated in 2010.

Residents of Auburn and the surrounding communities also got a sneak peek of Mary Olson Farm during the Hops & Crops Harvest Festival last September. The event celebrated hops, a former lucrative cash crop for the farm, and helped raise funds for the final restoration work. Guests were able to sample beers from several local breweries while enjoying live music and a marketplace. Because of its popularity, Hops & Crops will take place this year on Sept. 24.

Mary Olson Farm is located at 28728 Green River Road in Auburn. This summer, drop-in hours are available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during these weekends: June 25 and 26; July 9 and 10, 23 and 24; Aug. 13 and 14, 27 and 28; and Sept. 10 and 11. Admission for the summer drop-in hours is $5 adults, $3 children/seniors and $15 for a household or family.