Quincy dedicates historical house's porch

Community toasts town 'on verge of another revolution'

QUINCY — Quincy residents turned out Friday afternoon to toast the old and the new.

The old was a recently restored porch at the town's historical Reiman-Simmons House.

The dedication marked the completion of the Washington State Capital Funds Grant for the project, which consists of an addition onto the back of the house, handicap-accessibility ramps and rehabilitation of the front of the house as close as possible to 1904 configuration, including internal work in the parlor and kitchen and a complete revamping of the original front porch.

Speakers included Quincy Valley Historical Society President Annie Rapp, Quincy Mayor Dick Zimbelman, State Archivist Jerry Handfield and Washington State Historical Society Director of Outreach Garry Schalliol.

"We are here today because a large dedicated group of individuals and organizations have restored not only a part of Quincy's heritage, but a part of the American story as well," Rapp said.

As an immigrant to the state and a historian, Handfield said he appreciated what Quincy's residents accomplished in a "mere" 100 years. He noted the town is nearly as old as the state constitution, and read from the constitution's preamble.

"Today you are privileged both to have the benefit of all the work of the people who have been here for 100 years, but also we need to remember you are revolutionaries," Handfield said. "If you just take a look at what this land was like 100 years ago, you'll realize a revolution has taken place. Not only that, but you are on the verge of another revolution, so it is important for you to document not just the history of Quincy in buildings, but to document the history of the work of the great people of the Quincy area."

Handfield guaranteed audience members wryly when he returns in another 100 years for a similar event, the people in the future would marvel at their accomplishments, and would be looking around for proof of what was accomplished.

Zimbelman, a longtime member of the Quincy community, wondered what his relatives, who lived in the historical house, would think of the celebration today, with the cars passing by.

"I wonder what the next 50 years are going to bring after this," Zimbelman said. "Today, we're not only farming, now we're having server farms for the Internet. I understand there's a whole bunch more of them looking at Quincy. I think in 50 years, you'll never recognize what Quincy is today."

The event also included a sneak preview of the house's exhibit room, including interpretive displays of the first two sections of a "Quincy — Land of Promise" permanent exhibit.

Part of the exhibit is an interactive touchscreen computer program put together by Jeff DeSmet. DeSmet said he met the historical house Events Coordinator Harriet Weber at a convention in June 2006, which sparked talks about an interactive educational activity giving people the opportunity to experience the community's history and learn about irrigation.

DeSmet said several themes emerged as he learned the history, including the fact Quincy's pioneers went through a lot to live on the land and the diversity of groups who arrived in the area.

"There are some exciting stories there," he said. "I walk away with a greater appreciation for those who went through what they went through to make it home here. It's hard not to research this and walk away with that deeper appreciation."