RESTORING HISTORIC FARM NEARS COMPLETION; FUNDS STILL NEEDED
Auburn, Wash. – The White River Valley Museum is working with the City of Auburn to restore Mary Olson Farm and open it to the public in 2009 as a living history and environmental education site. The farm is designated a King County Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the most intact 1880s family farm in King County.
The City of Auburn acquired the 60-acre property in 1994 through King County Conservation Futures, a fund dedicated to preserving open space. The City then leased Mary Olson Farm to the White River Valley Museum for restoration and operation. A community campaign has since raised more than $1.2 million to refurbish the farm. An additional $400,000 is needed to complete the restoration and open this historic landmark.
Mary Olson Farm is located on the east bank of the Green River. Standing in the private canyon at the farm’s center is a large barn built in 1897 and a farmhouse built in 1902. Forested hills and two meadows surround the farm’s remaining buildings that were constructed in the 1920s: a smokehouse, garage, weaving shed, ice house and an outhouse. Other significant natural and historic features include a century-old orchard, two salmon runs in Olson Creek and a wagon road.
The restoration effort seeks to balance preservation of the farmstead’s historic features with safety requirements and standards for public facilities related to access and environmental quality. The Mary Olson Farm will foster understanding of its specific heritage, distinct environment and the economic reality of a family farm. Particular emphasis is placed on natural history and ecology of the farm site, showing how the environment has shaped and been shaped by the cultures and people who have lived there.
Interested donors and members of the media are invited to learn more about the farm at www.wrvmuseum.org or call Patricia Cosgrove, director of the White River Valley Museum and Mary Olson Farm at 253-288-7437.
MARY OLSON FARM, A BRIEF HISTORY
Alfred Olson emigrated from the Swedish village of Asmule Or in the 1870s and purchased land in 1879 that was formerly a lumber mill. In 1882 Mary Anderson emigrated from the same village and the two married in 1883. The couple had two children, Anna (1885-1971) and Alfred (1887-1980).
The family initially grew hops on the farm, later transitioning to fruits, vegetables and dairying. In addition to farming, the Olson’s had a grist mill that was powered by the creek.
Mary was widowed the same year her son was born. After her husband’s death Mary’s brother, John, lived with her on the farm until she remarried in 1895 to Eric Magnus Johnson. In 1902 the family survived being held captive on the farm by the outlaw Harry Tracy.
Ownership of the farm remained in Mary’s name for decades and then passed to her children, who lived on the farm until the 1970s. Mary’s second cousins, the Jameson family, came to live on the farm also in the 1970s. During that time, it was rented to John who began efforts to modernize the house. Up until the 1970s, the house had no electricity, lighting was provided by carbide gas, a woodstove was used for heating and cooking, water was piped to the house from a hillside spring and the outhouse was located in the orchard.
The City of Auburn purchased the house from the Jamesons with funds from King County Conservation Futures.
EDUCATION AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT MARY OLSON FARM
When Mary Olson Farm opens to the public, it will serve as an outdoor classroom for many area school districts, private schools and home-schooled students, providing hands-on learning opportunities linked to core curriculum in social studies, environmental sciences, physical education, the arts and related subjects.
The White River Valley Museum and Mary Olson Farm are developing partnerships with Green River Community College and University of Washington for undergraduate and graduate students studying Pacific Northwest history, architecture, historic preservation and related fields to use the farm as a field study site.
Mary Olson Farm will also be a welcoming place for community events and activities, including concerts in the barn, harvest fairs, guided seasonal walks for birding and native plant identification, workshops on traditional skills like weaving, and other special events.
MARY OLSON FARM RESTORATION SUPPORTERS
In addition to private donations, the community campaign to restore the Mary Olson Farm recognizes these organizations for their financial support:
4Culture
Auburn Soroptimists
Beardsley Family Foundation
City of Auburn
Capital Fund for Washington’s Heritage
King Conservation District
King County Council
King County WRIA 9 Waterworks
McEachern Charitable Trust
National Trust for Historic Preservation
About the White River Valley Museum
The White River Valley Museum is open 12 Noon to 4 PM, Wednesdays through Sundays, and by appointment for group tours and research. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children and seniors. Wednesdays are free for everyone. For more information call (253) 288-743
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