Ephrata museum preserves county history
Bill Stevenson/Columbia Basin HeraldA mock shootout takes place as part of a show during the Grant County Historical Museum's Pioneer Day.
EPHRATA - Any community benefits from an organization dedicated to preserving its history and The Grant County Historical Society does just that.
The museum does more than simply display history. Its employees and members strive to discover history.
"Uncover and locate materials of historical significance," said museum assistant Crystal Lindgren.
With approximately four acres and 36 buildings, the Grant County Historical Museum and Village has so much to see. Tours take about two hours.
Lindgren takes people on tours and said tourists can walk up and head in without an appointment, but larger groups should sign up in advance.
"We do recommend that people get here at least two hours before (closing)," Lindgren said.
"We don't have a set time for doing tours. Just as people come in, we take them out," she said.
The society was chartered 57 years ago and the museum had a different location in Ephrata before the present museum was established 38 years ago.
Lindgren said the historic buildings at the grounds are popular among tourists, citing the Marlin-Krupp Jail and the one-room school house where Mabel Thompson teaches during the Living Museum event.
Two open houses are held each year, drawing some of the facility's largest crowds.
Contained in the buildings are items donated by local families over the years and from various Grant County sites.
"What we have out here has to do with Grant County history and most of the items that are donated are from people from Grant County," Lindgren said.
In addition to the historic buildings, the society has records documenting the county, another of the group's goals.
"To preserve archives of counties, cities, and institutions," Lindgren said.
Lindgren is a seven-year member and employee of the museum and is thrilled with the opportunity it gives her to preserve her own heritage.
"It means a whole lot to me. I love my job. I am Soap Lake-born. I am a Grant County native," she said.
The Grant County Historical Museum and Village is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, contact 509-754-3334.