> Home > Government > News & Public Notices > 2010 News Stories > White River Valley Museum, Mary Olson Farm Receive Over $25,000 from Grants, Donations

White River Valley Museum, Mary Olson Farm Receive Over $25,000 from Grants, Donations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22, 2010

Contact:

Patricia Cosgrove, Director
White River Valley Museum and Mary Olson Farm
253-288-7437
pcosgrove@auburnwa.gov

AUBURN, Wash. – December 22, 2010 - The White River Valley Museum and Mary Olson Farm were recently awarded grants and donations totaling $25,730 from 4Culture, local Farmers Insurance agents Cindy Henson and Laura Theimer, Perry Ellis International, and Soroptimist International of Auburn. The funds will be applied toward museum exhibits and restoration efforts at Mary Olson Farm.

The 4Culture Heritage Facilities Program awarded a grant for $19,930 to create handicap-accessible pathways and parking at Mary Olson Farm.

"Compacted gravel pathways will be made to look like naturally worn paths leading from building to building," said museum and farm director Patricia Cosgrove.

The paths will be firm and even to provide people in wheelchairs and those unable to walk on irregular outdoor ground, smooth access to Mary Olson Farm and its attractions, Cosgrove said.

Farmers Insurance agents Cindy Henson and Laura Theimer donated $2,500 to sponsor the upcoming exhibit "Wrecked! Misadventures on the Northern Pacific Railway," open Jan. 12 through April 17. Their Auburn offices are located at 132 E. Main St.

The Jantzen brand of Perry Ellis International donated $1,500 to sponsor the 2011 exhibit "History, the Swimsuit Edition" on display May 4 through July 31.

Auburn Rotary awarded $1,300 to sponsor one of 12 informative signs to be installed at Mary Olson Farm, and Soroptimist International of Auburn gave $500 to sponsor one month of free Wednesdays at the White River Valley Museum.

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 Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railroad. According to the 2007 Washington State Visitors Guide, the White River Valley Museum is the best local history museum in the state.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. and is located at 918 H St. S.E. in Auburn. Regular admission is $2 adults, $1 seniors and children. Admission is free on Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month. Call 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org for event information.

About the 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. The farm is a King County Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Significant features include an 1897 barn, a 1902 farmhouse, a century-old orchard and three salmon runs in Olson Creek. Mary Olson Farm is slated to officially open to the public in early 2011 as a living history and environmental learning site.

# # #

White River Valley Museum
918 H St. S.E.
Auburn, WA 98002
253-288-7433
www.wrvmuseum.org