More than 50 people toured the Mary Olson Farm for the White River Valley Museum’s third Appletini event on Sept. 9, sipping refreshments and noshing on goodies as they learned about its history and about the latest efforts to restore it.

Restoration efforts on the historic farm at 28728 Green River Road continued this summer with an eye on the public opening of the 106-year-old landmark on Green River Road in late 2009 as a living history and environmental learning site.

Patricia Cosgrove, director of the White River Valley Museum and of Mary Olson Farm, said the tasks included working with King County using wetlands mitigation funds to reform and rehabilitate the north bank of Olson Creek that runs through the farm next to Green River Road. The bank is currently undercut, and without this work would drop into the stream.

Cosgrove said restoration work on the 1902 farmhouse included refurbishment of the doors, replacement of the foundation skirting and washing, and priming and painting of the outside of the building for the first time in decades. All of the farmhouse windows recently were restored.

Other summer projects included development of plans for restoring the farmhouse interior, landscaping around the farmhouse, and designing the parking lot and restrooms.

Cosgrove said Auburn Rotary awarded WRVM a $7,000 grant this summer to fund a pilot school field trip program to Mary Olson Farm, which started this September and runs through November. More than 2,000 first and sixth grade students from the Auburn School District will participate. First-grade students will explore where our food comes from, and the sixth graders will study stream ecology while salmon are spawning in Olson Creek.

Cosgrove said the museum needs tour guides to help with the school field trips. Guides receive training to learn about one tour station and presentation per age level. An application process that includes a background check is required to volunteer. Call (253) 288-7433 for more information.

Mary Olson Farm is the most intact 1880s family farm in King County, a King County Landmark and has a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Significant features include an 1897 barn, a 1902 farmhouse and two salmon runs in Olson Creek.

The White River Valley Museum is a partnership with the City of Auburn and combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors.

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 free on Wednesdays.

For more information call the number above or visit www.wrvmuseum.org for exhibit and event information.