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