April 14, 2006	Contact:	Patricia Cosgrove, Museum Director
For Immediate Release		(253) 288-7437

GRANT RECEIVED FOR FARM RESTORATION

The White River Valley Museum is pleased to announce that a major grant has been received from the D.V. and Ida J. McEachern Charitable Foundation. This $40,000 grant is dedicated to restoring and in some areas replacing the wood plank floor at Auburn’s Mary Olson Farm barn. This 3,000 square-foot structure was built in 1897, and designed to store loose hay, house two work horses and provide milking facilities for three cows. It will be used as an indoor gathering spot once the Mary Olson Farm opens for public viewing and educational programs.

“The McEachern gift is significant as the new floor will allow the barn to be used as a classroom for visiting school groups. This gift significantly speeds up our timeline for bringing pre-scheduled groups to the Farm,” notes Farm and Museum Director Patricia Cosgrove.

Among the challenges in restoring this old barn is that of making it accessible to those using wheelchairs. BOLA architects of Seattle, the architects who have worked on this farm for over ten years, have designed some slight changes in grade providing a safe and step-free pathway through the barn.

The Mary Olson Farm is owned by the City of Auburn and leased for the purpose of restoration and programming by the White River Valley Museum. It is located on Green River Road and was purchased by the Olson’s in 1879. Once fully restored the Farm will provide living history programs, host classes and events, be available for parties and weddings, and provide a restful retreat just a few minutes from downtown Auburn. The Farm is undergoing significant restoration and rehabilitation, and is scheduled to be open for public use in 2008.

The total restoration of the buildings and environment is estimated to cost 1.6 million dollars. To date, $640,000 has been raised. Fund raising is ongoing. For information regarding making a donation to the Mary Olson Farm, contact Patricia Cosgrove at 253 288-7437.