Undocumented Treasures
By Joanne Prusa
July 16, 2010
Photo by Kari Bohnstedt
Petunias add color and a sweet smell for museum visitors and those who stroll by
Photo by Kari Bohnstedt
Volunteers Diann Paschal & Carolyn Meade arte among the museums' gardeners
Volunteers have been the heart of Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village since its inception. Volunteers led the drive to raise funds for the original museum, and volunteers provided the labor and most of the materials for its construction. For over 50 years, hundreds of volunteers have worked thousands of hours making the Cashmere Museum a showcase display of Central Washington history.
Today, although we have 3 part-time paid staff, we still count on volunteers to be greeters, gardeners, and guides. Last week when I visited the Museum, I found Volunteer Jerry Anglin scraping bark from a log which was needed to repair the Village chapel. He also regularly mows the grass and does handyman chores.
Volunteer Carolyn Meade has assigned herself to oversee the garden containers and planters near the Museum entrance, while Diann Paschal spends 6-10 hours a week digging, planting, watering, weeding, and trimming the village gardens. The colorful flower garden near Cotlets Avenue is there because of the inspiration and perspiration of Diann. Now, she is researching plants for a future medicinal garden at the Doctor/Dental Cabin.
The Museum operates an Adopt-A-Cabin Program where civic groups or individuals can choose a Village Cabin to keep clean and tidy inside and out. About half of the 20 cabins have been 'adopted', so that means some are still available. The Retired School Employee Group long ago adopted the One Room School House, but the Barber Shop next door is an orphan...as is the Buckhorn Saloon and Sheriff Price's Jail. If fluffing and mulching gardens is work that interest you, or sweeping out a one room cabin and washing it's two little windows twice a year fit your schedule, please call the Museum 782-3230 and find out the details in getting signed up for a cabin adoption.
The time and talent of our generous volunteers are assets that can't be resourced on a financial report, but are undocumented treasures at our Museum.
