The White River Valley Museum and Mary Olson Farm recently received grants totaling $61,800 that will be applied toward the museum’s award-winning programs and exhibits, and completing restoration efforts at Mary Olson Farm.
The grants include:
• $38,000 from the 4Culture Heritage Cultural Facilities Program to complete restoration of the 1897 hay barn at Olson Farm. 4Culture is King County’s cultural services agency and funds are derived from the King County Lodging Tax for Culture.
• $7,000 from the Auburn Soroptimists to fund the interior exhibit in the weaving house at Olson Farm. Weaving provided a way for the Olson women to earn cash for this subsistence family farm.
• $4,000 from the Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, $1,000 from the Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association and $800 from the Allied Arts Foundation to help fund the current Northwest Coast Salish weaving exhibit, “SQ3Tsya’yay: Weaver’s Spirit Power.”
• $5,000 from Qwest Foundation to fund materials for children’s educational programs at Olson Farm. First-grade students visiting the farm explore where our food comes from while sixth graders focus on stream ecology.
• $4,000 from the 4Culture Heritage Collections Care Program helps the museum inventory its archives and make them available to researchers.
• $2,000 from the City of Auburn Arts Commission to help fund the upcoming “Small Works, Big Presents” juried art show and sale.
Additionally, the museum was able to purchase a rare Salish blanket, circa 1850, with money donated from the estate of late Auburn resident Jane Gatavara.
“Jane donated our very best quilt to the museum and she would come in from time to time to visit it,” said Patricia Cosgrove, director of the museum and Olson Farm. “She was a delightful woman and because of her interest in textile arts, we felt this use of her money would make her very proud.”
The heavy, large blanket is only one of a handful in existence and was mostly used during ceremonial occasions. It is woven from mountain goat wool mixed with dog wool and goose down.
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ABOUT MARY OLSON FARM
The museum is working with the City of Auburn to restore Olson Farm, the most intact 1880s family farm in King County. It opens in late 2009 as a living history and environmental learning site. The farm is a King County Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. Significant features include an 1897 barn, a 1902 farmhouse and two salmon runs in Olson Creek.
ABOUT WHITE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM
The museum is a partnership with the City of Auburn and combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors. Museum collections focus on local Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railroad.
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and is located at 918 H St. S.E. in Auburn. Regular hours are noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for seniors and children, and free on Wednesdays. Call 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org for event information.
