The White River Valley Museum and Mary Olson Farm are recipients of grants from 4Culture, Puget Sound Energy, the Beardsley Family Foundation and International Old Lacers, Inc.
The funds total $23,000 and will be applied toward operations, educational programs and exhibits.
Funds totaling $18,000 from 4Culture, the cultural services agency for King County, will be used to support operations for the museum. The Puget Sound Energy grant totals $2,000 and will support Auburn School District sixth-grade field trips to the Farm, where students learn about stream ecology.
The Beardsley Family Foundation awarded $1,500 for the creation of interpretive panels and labels at the Farm. IOLI provided $1,500 to sponsor the upcoming exhibit “Household Lace Adds Charm to Your Place: An Exhibit of Historic Bed, Bath, Table and Kitchen Lace.” The exhibit opens May 5 and runs through Aug. 1.
About Mary Olson Farm
The White River Valley Museum is working with the City of Auburn to restore Mary Olson Farm, the most intact 1880s family farm in King County. The Farm is a King County Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Significant features include an 1897 barn, a 1902 farmhouse, a century-old orchard and two salmon runs in Olson Creek. The farm is slated to open to the public in late 2010 as a living history and environmental learning site.
About the 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 Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railroad. According to the 2007 Washington State Visitors Guide, the museum is the best local history museum in the state.
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. and is located at 918 H St. S.E. in Auburn. Regular admission is $2 adults, $1 seniors and children. Admission is free on Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month. Call 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org for event information.
