Submitted by Rene’ Carroll for The Camas-Washougal Historical Society
The Two Rivers Heritage Museum has reopened their doors to welcome visitors after their annual four-month closure for maintenance and display enhancements.
“Once again, we had a busy winter during the museum closure,” said Camas-Washougal Historical Society President, Jim Cobb. “The major change is the reorganization of the Research Room to make it more user friendly for people doing family history and other historic research.” Another exciting enhancement is the newly expanded military display featuring artifacts from local citizens who served our country representing a variety of wars.
The Two Rivers Heritage Museum is located at 1 Durgan Street in Washougal and open March through October. Regular hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission costs are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all CWHS members. Group tours are available any day of the week (by appointment only). Call 360-835-8742 for scheduling.
This year, 2018, marks the 40th year of the CWHS, which began in 1978 in the basement of the Camas Library. In keeping with their mission to research, collect, preserve and make available the rich history of Camas and Washougal, the Society is currently working to raise funds for a major capital project. “The Gathering Place at Washuxwal” will be a Native American-inspired outdoor pavilion space to host educational and cultural programs that tell the stories of our area.
“Our museum is ‘where history lives’ in Camas and Washougal,” said Cobb. “The Gathering Place will be ‘where stories unfold.’ It will be a beautiful and impressive space to present even more history to our visitors.” The estimated cost of the project, to include authentic Native American artwork, is estimated at $250,000. After just three months of fund raising, $40,000 has been raised through CWHS membership and the community. “We are also applying for appropriate grant funding,” Cobb said. The projects first grant was recently received by the Camas-Washougal Community Chest.
CWHS representatives will be at the April First Friday in downtown Camas in the lobby of Journey Church. They will have interesting local artifacts and information about the Gathering Place project.
“Our community has so much to be proud of in this museum and the Gathering Place,” Cobb said. “We hope local folks who have not had a chance to see the museum will stop in and look around at all we have to offer. And while they are here they can learn more out this exciting new project.” Donations can be made at the museum or online at www.2rhm.com.
CWHS is always looking for members to join and help support the preservation of local history. More information about the CWHS and the Two Rivers Heritage Museum can be found on their website as well.
