WASHOUGAL – The Camas-Washougal Historical Society’s popular Annual Plant Fair returns this spring, offering a wide selection of locally grown plants at affordable prices. The event will be held Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum, 1 Durgan Street.
For weeks leading to the sale, volunteers collect and cultivate plants from local gardens to ensure a diverse and healthy selection. “Shoppers can find unique, locally grown plants that add beauty and character to their gardens,” said organizer Alma Ladd, the museum’s longtime “plant lady.”
A limited number of highly sought-after Camas lilies will be available again this year, and early arrival is encouraged for the best selection.
Beyond the plants themselves, organizers say the event reflects the region’s gardening heritage. “These plants have been grown locally for many years,” said museum volunteer and board member Janine Bernard. “By offering them at the Plant Fair, we’re giving gardeners a chance to enjoy the variety and heritage of plants grown right here in our community.”
The Plant Fair also serves as a key fundraiser supporting the CWHS’s mission to preserve and share local history. “It’s more than a sale, it’s a tradition,” said museum director Julianne Lawrence. “People return year after year to find great plants and connect with the stories that make this community special by touring the museum.”
In preparation for the sale, volunteers recently gathered at the Washougal home of Thor Larsen to dig plants. Larsen and his late wife, Lilla, have generously opened their garden and yard for more than a decade. Harvested plants include lilies of the valley, raspberries, ferns, violets, and wild bleeding hearts. “There are always plenty to share,” Larsen said. “They just keep growing.”
The property itself carries local history. Known as the Carriage House and located near Washougal High School, the home dates back to the early 1900s and once served as a stop for overnight travelers. “It was located in Washougal because it is about a day’s journey from Vancouver,” Larsen explained. “From here, travelers would continue along the old military road over Cape Horn.”
Plants for the sale are also harvested from the Washougal home of Jan Gilson and others come as donations already potted and ready for sale.
The museum is open Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students, and free for CWHS members and children under 5. Group and private tours are available by appointment.
For more information, visit www.2rhm.com.
