Ambush.
I pulled a sneak attack, something I like to do now and then, to see what I can find unannounced.
At the Marysville Historical Society “museum in waiting,” I was as welcome as a tub of ranch dressing with an order of fries.
Volunteer LuAnne Fehrle said “Come on in and look around.”
What fun.
The building at 1508B Third St. in Marysville is merely a pit stop before the big magoola — a new museum planned for 6805 Armar Road in Marysville. The society owns the land but need money to build the home for some fascinating artifacts.
The museum was offered, and eagerly accepted, items from the Norwesco Telephone Pioneer Museum: switchboards and phones from decades past.
There are photographs, old furniture, toys, dishes, photographic equipment, phonographs, costumes and school relics.
“Tools of the trade are very important to us,” said Fehrle. “Marysville exists because of logging.”
I loved the wooden letter sorter from the first post office.
The temporary museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Volunteers turn the key and share their bountiful knowledge.
I listened to “Voices of the Past” with interviews from pioneers. It played softly on one side of the building. Fehrle said she played the tape for someone who is not historically motivated.
“She said ‘Wow,’” Fehrle said. “There is so much to hear.”
It’s amazing how much the volunteer has learned and retained about her community. She moved with her mother to Marysville from California in 2006.
“Marysville is small, intimate,” she said. “Gosh, everyone is so nice here.”
Her mother died nine months after they moved to town.
“The time we had was so good,” Fehrle said. “If I have tears in my eyes, it’s because of the joy.”
The history buff said a museum member introduced her to the program.
“I was taken to a meeting,” she said. “I got pleasantly hoodwinked into becoming the treasurer.”
More than 80 percent of Marysville residents have lived in the city for less than 20 years, she said.
“Anything we can do to get the newcomers excited about where they are, we’ll do,” Fehrle said. “If people get involved, they realize there is something special here.”
Marysville history is fascinating, especially when energetic volunteers care enough to bring it to life.
No need to call ahead to view the artifacts.
Just drop in.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
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