Historical Museum Offers Many Items of Interest to Visitors
THE BABY of year 1880 usually enjoyed the luxury of
a hand made cradle, one that mother could rock with
her foot as she sewed, knitted or mended. This one
was donated to the museum by Mrs. Rita Miller of
Clatskanie who gave information that it is now over 80
years old.
W. Freeman was president of the Well, there wasn’t any Vernonia at costumes.
company and A. R. Melis, secretary. that time.
Old lamps ,an early day phono
Household items which were prized graph with cylindrical records, —the
A book of stock certificates revealed
THE BRIDE’S room at the Columbia County Historical
the old album. The bride wears the wedding dress worn
that shares were $5.00 each. A letter posessions of many housewives of list is unlimited. One just has to
Society museum is a typical old fashioned parlor with
by Mrs. M. B. Steers Sr. in 1910, the veil worn by Mrs.
head proclaimed the company as years ago are cherry pitter, sausage
brouse and see for himself.
its 100 year old rocking chairs and other furniture.
Izelle Conlon in 1929 and orange blossoms worn by Vic
“Cooperative Manufacturers of Fan press, apple peeler, cream skimmer,
Note the hardanger embroidery cover on which rests
So — to those who haven’t yet
toria Parrott Perry, date unknown.
coffee grinders, butter bowl, paddle
cy Creamery Butter” .
made
that intended visit, take a day,
and
molds,
and,
what
could
have
Museums are always attractions items in it authentic and old. The The lace wedding veil is of later
An old scrapbook donated to the
of prime interest as anyone who has old parlor organ, the stands with vintage, and was worn by Izelle Dib museum by Mrs. Albert Parker held been a household item, a small still. spend lots of time, brouse, look, spec
For the farmer, there are the ox ulate and dream. Then, add those
traveled with children well knows, the prized albums of yesteryear, the bles Conlon in 1929. The orange blos a collection of colored picture cards
for they always seem to be able to old wood rocking chairs with hand som wreath which holds the veil was such as were premiums with cer yokes, the grain cradles, and various items stuck away on shelves, in at
tics or cellars which will make the
spot a museum sign and never tire made cushions and throws, the hand worn by Victoria Parrott Perry.
tain foods, and others that were at tools.
display that much more interesting
of stopping to see the treasures they made rugs, everything speaks of an
tendance
awards
at
school
and
Indian
artifacts
indicate
that
the
There is also a library where many
hold.
era that is past. The list on the old books, newspapers and records church. Children of today are sur Red Men roamed the forests of the to those who visit as years go by.
Vernonia is very fortunate to have door shows that items came from a cculd keep one busy for hours. For rounded with such an abundance of county long before the white men
the Columbia County Historical Mu number of county families and repre instance, the books of the Nehalem colored pictures that they can’t even came.
seum located here in the former mill sent a lot of history.
Valley Creamery company of Mist imagine how they were treasured by
That electricity was not a utility
High point of interest in the room are there. A perusal of the minutes children even 50 years ago.
office building, but it is probably safe
in pioneer homes is evident from
to hazard a guess that a lot of local is the pretty blond manikin dressed book show that it was organized in
Also on the shelves in that room the various types of “sad” irons,
residents have not yet explored it in the bridal gown worn February, 1908 and functioned until 1918. A are the first minutes of the board heated on top of wood stoves, and the
to see the many things of interest 1910 by Mrs. M. B. Steers Sr., mother list of 39 stockholders included the of Columbia County Commissioners, top of stove waffle iron.
NEHALEM VALLEY
of Marion Steers. It is of net and names of many well known Mist fa written August 26, 1854. The various
it holds.
A button hook reminds one of the
The building was given to the City Ibice ovet embroidered petticoats. milies. The minutes showed that D. communities of the county were list days of high button shoes which now J
MOTOR FREIGHT
ed, but Vernonia wasn’t there. Why? are seen only with Gay Nineties
of Vernonia by the International Pa
per company after all their mill op
erations were concluded here and
their office closed. They specified
that it was given to be used for some
Everybody benefits
community project.
For a number of years, the Colum
bia County Historical Society had
been looking for someplace within
the county in which to establish a
museum. The building was offered
to them on a 99 year lease basis and
they accepted.
The city did considerable work on
the building to prepare it for the
use of the society. Living quarters
were built for the use of curators
and caretakers, and same other re
pairs were made. The society did
other work to get ready for placing
in it the treasures that were being
collected. Cases for safe display of
valuable items were secured and
finally the day came in 1963 when it
Because we live with history as it happens,
was ready to be opened to the pub
we are better able to meet its challenges when
lic. Open house was held at the time
they face us.
of the 1963 Friendship Jamboree.
And, thanks to our consumer-owned rural elec
tric systems, all Americans . . . not just those in or
In the year that has passed since
near the big cities. . . can sit in on the great events
then, many more items have been
of our times. They can watch the drama of a na
added and those who attended the
THE HOUSEWIFE of today, who has as a part of her standard household
tional convention as it moves to nominate a candi
open bouse find it interesting to see
equipment an automatic washer and dryer, or who takes her laundry to
date. They see and hear the world’s statesmen as
the changes made. Mr. and Mrs. E.
the up to date laundromat, would feel abused indeed if she had to wash
they debate an issue in the United Nations.
G. Hislop. the curators, keep the
the fam ily’s clothes in a machine like this. The vintage of this one, which
Rural electrics provide the power for radios
and television sets across the countryside. They
building open to the public Tuesday,
cam e from the Vern Dusenberry family, is not known, but it is one of
provide the energy that rolls the presses of many
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and
the earliest. The wringer was donated by Mrs. Ralph Langdon of Scap
a small newspaper.
poose.
on holidays from 1 to 5 p.m. Holi
Built with the help of Rural Electrification
days show good attendance. July 4
Administration loans, rural electric systems also
was a big day.
furnish the power for lonely radar stations that
There is no admission charge, but
scan the skies and Hash news to our defense cen
a box is conveniently placed to re
ters. Ranger towers that guard our state and na
tional forests . , . telephone relay stations that help
ceive contributions to defray cost
speed messages across the country . . . missile
of lights, heat and upkeep.
sites and vital defense installations in remote
To enjoy a museum, one needs to
areas . . . depend on rural electrics for power. The
go unhurriedly when there is un
rural electrics meet these and other responsibili
limited time to brouse and speculate
ties with the continuing help of REA loans.
about items seen. For older people,
The result is a nation whose citizens sit se
cure and informed before a window on the world
the articles on display stir memor
. . . ready to speak and act with a united voice.
ies. For younger people, they create
And everybody benefits.
amazement at the type of household
items and appliances people of their
grandparents day made use of. It
should stir in them a deeper apprec
iation for all the things that are
theirs in this day and age.
As one approaches the building,
colorful flowers bloom in hanging
baskets along the front porch and the
baskets, once items for much less
attractice use, are spittoons which
once were used in the Columbia
county court house Others are on
display inside.
One of the most interesting parts
of the museum is the bride's room
which has been the project especial
ly of Mrs. R. S. Lindsay. It is a typi
THIS cld bell, donated to the museum by the county court, had original
LIVE BETTER
cal eld fashioned parlor with all
i Phone Hfl 9-3462
when Rural Electrics
help open the window
on the world
WEST OREGON
ELECTRIC CO-OP, *
Demonia £a<jle
4
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20. 1964
ly been the bell of the Methodist church in St. Helens when it
the hill bark of what is now the J. C. Penney store. Instead of
the building. It was on a frame on the ground. It was operated
on the pulley-wheel at left of the bell. The story is that this
tolled when the only hanging in Columbia county took place.
stood on
being on
by ropes
bell was
FARM BETTER
Vernonia. Oregon
A SELF-LIQUIDATING. SELF MANAGED. TAX-PAYING
COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE