How does it feel to be 50 years old? Just ask Maple Valley Historical Society. Its birthday is being celebrated the first Saturday in August – from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Maple Valley’s history will be on display at the Gibbon-Mezzavilla General Store Museum and at the Fire Engine Museum. Both museums are located on the grounds at Maple Valley Community Center. All interested historians and community members are welcome to visit and re-acquaint themselves with “the good old days”.
Maple Valley Historical Society Board members meet at the Fire Engine Museum, 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. A museum consultant, Kyle Halmrest, has been invited to the next meeting Tuesday, Aug. 2. A consultant can fill in the footprints needed for successful connections with the community, including how to develop a following of volunteers and invigorating community interest in Maple Valley’s history. It’s essentially a leadership pep talk on strengthening the assets of MVHS, an all-volunteer organization.
Up for discussion at the July Board meeting was 1) creating an organization history / fact sheet, 2) reinstituting van tours to historic locations in-and-around Maple Valley, 3) placing old editions of MVHS newsletter (The Bugle) and VOICE of the Valley articles on the Facebook page, 4) creating a time capsule containing Maple Valley artifacts that may be of historical interest 50 years from now.
Also mentioned at the meeting was the need for a writer to apply for grants, the condition of the 1926 Howard Cooper fire engine, perspective Board members, the successful attendance at 2022 Maple Valley Days, and landscape and clean-up necessities. Workdays at the museums are Thursdays 10:00-2:00 and Fridays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The two museums are open to the public the first Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., or by appointment with President Dick Peacock, 206-940-6943.
