Though modest in size, the White River Valley Museum in Auburn has been awarded an array of grants and sponsorships in 2016.
From mounting important exhibits such as the critically acclaimed Handmade in Camp, What We Couldn’t Carry, to building a new lobby, the museum and its future appear very bright. A total of $212,530 has been awarded in grants and sponsorships this year, with the probability of another $497,803 in 2017.
The following donations have been recently made.
• $900 Humanities Washington, sponsor Landmarks & Bookmarks program;
• $1,750 4Culture, sponsor current exhibit Handmade in Camp;
• $2,000 City of Auburn Arts Commission, sponsor next exhibit Small Works, Big Presents: The Gift of Art;
• $3,000 Wyman Youth Trust, sponsor free admission to the Mary Olson Farm summer 2016 and other free youth programs;
• $6,305 4Culture, sponsor care of the farm equipment collection;
• $15,500 4Culture, special appropriation, restoration of Pioneer Cemetery;
• $18,000 4Culture, sustained support;
• $175,000 Build 4Culture, remodel Museum lobby, paint and carpet.
A review panel for the Washington State Heritage Capital Program voted to award the City of Auburn and the museum $497,803 to remodel a garage/museum storage space into a classroom, create an outdoor roundhouse-inspired amphitheater, a climb-on train sculpture, new walkways, signage and public art. The award is dependent upon being included in the State 2017-19 capital budget.
At a more local level, a total of $5,575 has been donated to support Free Days at the Museum, with six days sponsored by U.S. Bank Foundation; two days sponsored by Big Fish Construction, Kiwanis Club of Auburn, Merrill Gardens, Rotary Club of Auburn, Scarff Motors, and Soroptimist International of Auburn; and single days supported by Auburn Noon Lions Foundation, Auburn Sons of Italy, Crain Eye Clinic, Columbia Bank North Auburn, StagePlan and the VFW White River Valley Post #1741.
The museum is open on the first Thursdays and third Sundays for free because of the donations.
