WHITE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM AWARDED $4,500 GRANT / OTHER GRANT MONIES INCREASED
The White River Valley Museum is pleased to announce the receipt of a grant to support restoration of the Mary Olson Farm, and two grants to support Museum operation.
The highly prestigious National Trust for Historic Preservation made its second grant award in two years to the Mary Olson Farm. This $4,500 grant will be dedicated to historic landscape design. Preservation landscape architects will research historic photographs and oral histories, and develop historically accurate plans for the farmhouse yard, pathways, vegetable gardens and orchard.
“When the National Trust provides repeated support to a project, it is a clear statement regarding the high quality of the work we do, and of our accountability in managing funds,” notes Patricia Cosgrove, Museum and Farm Director.
The museum has also received two grants from King County’s Cultural Development Authority, 4Culture, through their Sustained Support program. Although a $3,000 preliminary grant from the Arts Program was planned, because of an increase in King County Lodging Tax funds the grant grew to $3,600. The Heritage side of 4Culture awarded the Museum $10,000 which was boosted to $12,000 also due to the growth in King County Lodging Taxes. Sustained Support is particularly important to the museum as these funds can be used to operate the facility, costs that are particularly difficult to develop in other ways.
About the Mary Olson Farm
The Mary Olson Farm is owned by the City of Auburn and leased for the purpose of restoration and programming by the White River Valley Museum. It is located on Green River Road and was purchased by the Olson’s in 1879. Once fully restored, the Farm will provide living history programs, host classes and events, be available for parties and weddings, and provide a restful retreat just a few minutes from downtown Auburn. The Farm is undergoing significant restoration and rehabilitation, and is scheduled to be open for public use in 2008 or 2009. The total restoration of the buildings and environment is estimated to cost $1.6 million. To date, $1,100,000 has been raised and fundraising is ongoing. For more information about making a donation to the Mary Olson Farm, contact Patricia Cosgrove at 253-288-7437.
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