Skykomish Museum Renovations Underway
The sound of power saws and the fragrance of fresh paint are filling the upper floor of Skykomish's Old Fire Hall as volunteers and craftspeople prepare the Skykomish Historical Society's new museum display and archival space. The organization was awarded a $15,000 Heritage Cultural Facilities grant in 2005 to upgrade the second floor of the landmark fire station and purchase file and storage cabinets, display panels and cases, tables and chairs, and lighting. The project will also improve access for the disabled.
About three-quarters of the 1,200-square-foot facility will display artifacts from the town's early history as an important commercial stop on the Great Northern Railway, which laid tracks through the Skykomish Valley in 1893. The balance of the space will be used as archival storage of documents, photographs, and artifacts not on display. Pat Carlson, who chairs the society's board, says the grant jump-started the society's long-term plans for expansion. "Without the money, it would've been a long, slow process," she says. "Now we hope to have a grand opening of our museum in July."
The opening of the museum is one step in an ambitious three-year growth plan adopted by the society in 2004. The plan is tied into the Skykomish community's overall goals of adding new tourism opportunities that will create local jobs and support community businesses. The society has also gained national recognition in recent years. A 2002 grant from the King County Landmarks Commission funded History of Skykomish, a video which won an award from the Portland Art Museum. A 2000 King County grant funded another award-winning video, Oily Sky, produced in conjunction with Skykomish High School. That production won the President's Environmental Award, presented in person by President Bush.
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