WHITE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM, MARY OLSON FARM RECEIVE GRANTS
Auburn’s Historical Museum Nets $75,000 in Funding for Restoration, Operations
AUBURN, Wash. – The White River Valley Museum and Mary Olson Farm are the proud recipients of three grants from 4Culture, King County’s cultural services agency. The funds total $75,000 and will be applied toward improvements and operations, the museum’s award-winning programs and exhibits, and completing restoration efforts at Mary Olson Farm.
The first grant for $25,000 was awarded by 4Culture’s Heritage Capital Facilities program. Funds will help restore the landscape, gardens and century-old orchard at Mary Olson Farm.
The second grant for $10,000 will be used to complete restoration of the historic outbuildings at the 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 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.
The third grant awarded by 4Culture totals $40,000 and will be installed in $20,000 increments over two years. Funds will help sustain the museum’s overall operations and programs. The White River Valley Museum shares first place for this award with the Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle’s Chinatown/International District. The award was increased beyond that normally given to a medium-size museum as a testament to the high level of programming and professionalism at the White River Valley Museum.
“The White River Valley Museum is one of the best local history museums in the county,” said Jim Kelly, director of 4Culture. “We recognize the excellence of the work they do in telling the story of the White River Valley. That’s what sustained support is all about.”
In addition to the grants, the museum’s Free Wednesday Drive funds free admission to the White River Valley Museum every Wednesday. Free Wednesday Drive sponsors include Auburn Soroptimists, Kiwanis Club of Auburn, Kim Anardi, DDS, Rio Verde Golden “K” Kiwanis Club, Judge Pat Burns of the Auburn Municipal Court, Auburn VFW Post, Denny Holt & Associates Inc., Auburn Sons of Italy Lodge #1955, Jason E. Cole of J.D. Edwards Commercial Real Estate, William Sutton, DDS, Take and Alice Hama, Sara and Kenny Beyersdorf, and Ronnie and Rosetta Beyersdorf Family.
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 – 4 p.m. Admission is free on Wednesdays. Call 253-288-7433 for event information.
News
