Friday Five: Harbor Museums

Get a little closer to our area's heritage this weekend by visiting one of these five museums that work hard to preserve the local area’s rich history in the various industries our community has been built around. Historical displays in logging, shipping, rail and early life on the Harbor are all available at these five fine establishments. You didn’t even know we had five museums on the Harbor? Then you’ll be blown away to know that there are actually a few more! Go get your history on this weekend, Grays Harbor!

Photo courtesy of Aberdeen History Museum

1)      Aberdeen History Museum

111 East Third Street
Aberdeen, Washington 98520
 (360) 533-1976 

Who hasn’t been here at least once over the years for a school trip or special event? Yeah, that one time when you were 12 was a long time ago, but the place pretty much looks the same. I love the town-in-a-building layout of the exhibits that help depict Aberdeen’s rich history based in logging and industry. The old photographs on display alone are captivating. This also happens to make a great, unique location for special events like special interest seminars, auctions, receptions and reunions for Aberdeen or harbor based organizations. Hours are 10am - 5pm on Tues-Sat and 12p-4p on Sun. Admission is free, however, suggested donations are: Families  $5.00,  Individuals  $2.00,  Students and Seniors  $1.00  

photo courtesy of City of Hoquiam

2)      Polson Museum

1611 Riverside Avenue

Hoquiam WA

360-533-5862

A National Historic Site, this museum is housed in a 6,500 mansion circa 1924 that I wouldn’t mind calling home. But I suppose housing Grays Harbor’s history is a higher calling for this beautiful building. The exhibits span 17 rooms of the house and another “Railroad Camp” building on the property that is in progress. This museum boasts that it contains the most extensive collection of Grays Harbor history, so if you’re looking to learn a thing or two about your hometown a visit here is in order. Did I mention something earlier about old photographs? Well, this place has over 12,000! Hours are 11a-4p Wed-Sat, and 12p-4p Sun. Admission is: Families $10, Adults $4, Students $2 and Under 12 $1

3)      Quinault Cultural Center

Tahola beachscape.

807 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1

Tahola WA

360-276-8215 x245

Learn about the history of the Quinault Indian Nation through photographs, artifacts and historical documents at this small museum in Tahola. As one of the most successful hunter gatherer peoples, the Quinault Indians lived off the land for thousands of years along the coast of Washington. The tribal library is also housed here with various books published by Quinault Indian Nation members, and also a bevy of electronic information that’s available to browse on the five computer stations. Hours are 8am – 4:30p Mon-Fri, but it’s highly recommended to call ahead of time.

photo courtesy of Chehalis Valley Museum

4)      Chehalis Valley Museum

703 West Pioneer Avenue

Montesano WA

360-249-5800

This museum has charged itself with the mission of preserving the history of the Chehalis Valley from Oakville to Aberdeen. Which means a whole ‘lotta country life artifacts. Housed in a former church, this museum features a collection of logging equipment, old fashioned housewares, local family geneology information and more. I love east county, so this museum hits the spot for me. Hours are 12p-4p Sat & Sun. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted.

5)      Westport Maritime Museum

The whale skeleton on display at the
Westport Maritime Museum

2201 Westhaven Drive

Westport WA

360-268-0078

This is, by far, my favorite place of history in Grays Harbor. An old Coast Guard compound, this museum is housed in 5 buildings right on the docks in Westport. Exhibits center around all things coastal such as beach coming, sea life, whaling, shipwrecks, local maritime history and more. The magnificent Destruction Island lighthouse lens is on display and nothing beats the gigantic whale skeleton. It’s impressive every time I visit. Don't forget to drive down the road and visit the lighthouse while you're in the area! Hours are 10a-4p daily. Admission is Adult $5, Children $2, Under 5 Free.

Saturday Shopper: Voss Acres Produce Market in Copalis Crossing

Voss Acres Produce Market

Owned by Sharon Voss, Established May 2011

1683 Ocean Beach Road
Copalis Crossing, WA

www.vossacres.com

360-591-1287

Open Daily Mon-Sat:10-6, Sun: 11-6

           

All About the Business:        Voss Acres Produce Market receives quality fresh produce and floral items through Charlie's Produce in Seattle, they have relationships with conventional and organic growers all over the world to create a consistency in the market year round. My husband Steve has tended to his vegetable garden using organic practices on this property since 2002 and with the market we now share his items in the market as they are available. We also carry gifts, art, pottery, gift cards and additional floral arrangements made by area artists.

What Makes Your Business Unique?         Voss Acres Produce Market is just the center element that draws people to pull off of Ocean Beach Road. On one side of the property there is the history story that we share of our house dating back to the late 1800's as it was then the train depot and later post office for the area. On the other side of the property we share our farm life in the growing of a vegetable garden and raising farm animals; currently we have pigs, chickens, turkeys, and ducks. We collect eggs all week and sell them on Saturday morning.     

Advice for First Time Customers?  Tell me! I then will share the stories about this historical property and the interesting tidbits regarding the artifacts that are on display.  If you are interested in the garden, I will guide you through! Once the garden is layed out for the season there are easy to walk paths so you can enjoy seeing the whole garden up close however, country shoes are suggested for walking around after a rain! We invite you to "watch us grow" as we tend to the gardens and complete our projects so that it will become Voss Acres Produce Market and Historic Landmark Park! Come see us! We're open Daily!



Dating back to the 1800's, this house has a
rich history for the local area.



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Friday Five: A Bit of Harbor History

Anyone remember the book published by The Daily World back in 2001, On The Harbor: From Black Friday to Nirvana? It was a collection of 23 major news pieces throughout the history of Grays Harbor starting with the Black Friday fire of 1903 and ending with the Nirvana phenomenon. I always found the book interesting, because, hey, it's nice to know your hometown has some colorful, scandalous history and claims to fame. Anyhow, I saw the book on my parents' book shelf the other day and I couldn't resist grabbing it for a Grays Harbor history refresher.


I've plucked five of the most interesting stories from the book and highlighted them for you on this not-so-historical Friday. Consider this your Harbor history lesson.

5) Aberdeen's on fire! Literally. The town actually burned down 3 separate times between 1887 and 1903, with 1903's blaze being the notorious Black Friday Fire. As a result of that final fire, the city council finally adopted a building policy that only allowed for brick buildings. Thank goodness the brothels and saloons didn't have to risk fire after that fateful year! I find it slightly disturbing that the fire was only stopped because a man had buried a stash of dynamite in front of the local hospital and dug up the dynamite to blow up his house to slow the blaze. Who buries dynamite in front of a hospital?

4) I'm going to need a steamship.... in 17 days. No problem for the Grays Harbor Motorship Corporation! In 1918 GHMC was commissioned to build a 4,000 ton steam ship for WWI, and they completed the job in just 17 days using 24-hour labor. Did the ship ever make it to war? Not a chance; the war ended on 11/11/18 before the ship could ever make it to it's destination. Besides, they built it so fast, the wood started to dry out and the seams split, rendering it useless much quicker than other ships of it's kind.


3) Someone killed the Law. Laura Law, that is. Ah yes, Aberdeen's most sensational murder. In January 1940, 25 year old Laura Law, the wife of labor leader Dick Law, is found murdered in her living room, with her 3-year old son sleeping in the other room. The killer was never found, and controversy surrounds the who and why of the case. Some believe it had everything to do with her husband's wave-making in the labor community and his possible communist ties (communism in Grays Harbor!). Perhaps one of his enemies? Who would go that far?! I vote that someone keep looking into this case...there has to be an answer!


2) Crazy people existed, even in 1913. They just lived in the woods back then. Yep, John Turnow, the Wild Man of the Wynoochee is a notable, murderous harborite alright. When he was just 10, little Johnny T almost died from the black measels. While he pulled out of the sickness, he was never the same. He became quiet (and creepy), honing his marskman skills and spending extended time in the woods. As an adult he shot a dog, then his two nephews in 1911. He also (allegedly) shot a game warden and a deputy. He was finally killed in 1913 when a search party was able to locate him during their manhunt. They tied his corpse to a tree and took pictures. I'm glad our law enforcement doesn't do that anymore!


1) Oh, brothel. Yes, Aberdeen was once considered one of the nation's most "wide-open" cities. Brothels had an entire district to themselves! And the best part? Women ran them! Madams made good money- one notable madam even drove a purple convertible through town and another allegedly shot her pimp (you go girl! she was acquitted). One of Aberdeen's final madams made a good $150,000 for herself- and that was before 1930. The funniest part about it all? The social morays of shopping for women in these times: housewives shopped in the morning, businesswomen shopped in the afternoon and working girls shopped late afternoon. I'm still confused - aren't working girls kind of like businesswomen? Glad I'm not in that era- I'd get myself all mixed up!

So there; I hope you're a little bit more tuned in to the rich historical past of our little community. If not, go make some history of your own!

The Polson Museum

The Grays Harbor area's history might be fairly short, but this little area has gone through a lot in the last 150 years! I payed a visit to the Polson Museum on Sunday for their Holiday Open House. They warmed me up with their hospitality and hot apple cider then filled my head with a lot of interesting stories about logging history, Native American crafts and 100 year old photos, among other things.



Since I am a semi-professional HGTV viewer, I couldn't wait to see the layout of this mansion, built for the Polson Family in 1926. My home-gawking needs were more than fulfilled by this place. It is beautiful and maintains it's historical integrity, including a couple of closets full of antique clothing and a child's bedroom full of toys (although maybe if you have an irrational fear of dolls like I do, this isn't a room you'll want to check out - at least if it's dark).


If you are interested in the early history of Hoquiam and Aberdeen, they have a great deal of old photographs. I actually got to step into their offices (the old maid's quarters) to see the area where they archive old photos, some from as far back as the mid 1800's. I was told that they have digitized somewhere around 13,000 photos! I imagine that I could spend weeks in there just looking at all the old photos, but I held back and only spent about 2 hours there looking at old slides and learning more and more about what life was like back in the days of the logging boom.




The Polson Museum also has a lovely little gift shop where they sell a variety of local books, gifts and posters. They even have their own wine which they sell at Swanson's grocery!


The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 4pm. There is a minimal entrance fee. Find out more about their exhibits and history on their website www.polsonmuseum.org.