WASHOUGAL — The Camas-Washougal Historical Society is inviting community members to connect to their past at the annual Heritage Day celebration, Sat., Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum, 1 Durgan Street in Washougal.
Heritage Day features free admission to the museum, historic exhibits and interesting vendors, live music and a raffle for a Pendleton car blanket. Hot dogs, lemonade, sundaes and root beer floats, plus plants and books will be offered for sale.
“Heritage Day is a great chance for those in the community that have been wanting to stop by to do so,” said volunteer coordinator and co-event planner Lois Cobb. “There is so much to see and do with the exhibits and demonstrations inside and outside of the museum. And everyone loves the sundaes and root beer floats! It is fun for the whole family.”
Demonstrations will include creating rugs on the museum’s antique traveling loom and operating the walking spinning wheel. “Our working loom and walking spinning wheel are amazing to watch in action,” Cobb said. “It’s like taking a step back in time.”
A crowd favorite is the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Society that brings their old engines and equipment to demonstrate. Also taking part in the day are the Clark County Flying Eagle A’s Car Club, representatives of the USO, Navy Mothers, and volunteers from the Camas/Washougal Fire Department.
“We are delighted that ‘Another Shade of Blue Grass’ will be back to entertain the crowd with their lively music,” Cobb said.
“One of our newest exhibits to the museum, is a Train Orders Hooping Stand,” said Dick Lindstrom, tool curator and co-event planner. “During the early days of railroading this device was used when orders were needed to be given to passing trains that did not stop.” Orders were attached to hoops. The train would slow and the engineer or conductor would reach out and catch the orders by hand. This operation saved valuable time as passing trains did not have to stop to receive orders.
“Heritage Day is an important way for us to provide local residents an opportunity to see all the interesting items we have at the museum and enjoy learning more about our area’s rich history,” said Lindstrom. “We hope folks will come by, tour the museum, have a hot dog and take pride in their local heritage.”
Camas-Washougal Historical Society operates the Two Rivers Heritage Museum located at 1 Durgan Street in Washougal. 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).
For more information or for scheduling, call (360) 835-8742. The museum is open March through October.
Information provided by Camas-Washougal Historical Society.
