January 08, 2010	Contact:	Patricia Cosgrove, Director White River Valley Museum
For Immediate Release		253-288-7437 pcosgrove@auburnwa.gov

White River Valley Museum Announces New Board

AUBURN, Wash. – The White River Valley Museum is pleased to welcome its newly elected board officers and members

Mike Gerber, assistant chief for Valley Regional Fire Authority, is serving as board president. The position of vice president is held by Judi Roland, retired Washington state senator and home builder.

Lisa Scarff, manager at Boeing Company, is serving as board secretary. The position of treasurer is held by Doug Hedger, vice president and branch manager at Banner Bank. Ronnie Beyersdorf will continue on the board as past president.

Newly elected board members include Hugo Hernandez of the Muckleshoot Indian Fisheries, Ken Nelson of Nelson’s Jewelry, Jennifer Hamor of Banner Bank and Megan Evans from the Green River Community College Foundation.

Pat Cavanaugh, descendent of the pioneer Auburn family, is also a newly elected board member. Pat is retired from Cavanaugh Ace Hardware, a pioneer business in Auburn.

Continuing on the board are Richard Artura, Tom Campbell, Gator Chamberlain, Julie Herren, Gerry Honeysett, Clarissa Ruston, Jennifer Traufler and Emeritus member Mae Yamada.

Yamada, the daughter of Japanese immigrants, shares stories about farm life and internment during World War II in the "Auburn Our Story" video " Mae Yamada on Farming and Internment." The video can be viewed at www.wrvmuseum.org.

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. 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 the White River Valley Museum

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. 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. SE 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.