Museum displays Moses Lake's history

MOSES LAKE - The history of Moses Lake is on display at the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center, and walks down memory lane began Friday at an opening reception.

In addition to "Greetings from Moses Lake," which features pictures taken of local spots during the 1940s and 1950s, digital computer work by John-Dan Key, called "Bugs," opened Friday.

The old pictures are postcards, taken by photographer J. Boyd Ellis. Museum and art center technician Ann Golden said Ellis had a talent for capturing the essence of small towns.

Golden isn't sure how many photos Ellis took of the area. They suspect he came to Moses Lake twice because some photos show a paved road, which he earlier photographed when it was a dirt road.

An aspect of the exhibit Golden appreciates is some of the postcards were mailed and the writing on them is an added glimpse of history. Golden said some of the writers were in Moses Lake looking for work when they mailed the postcards.

Moses Lake resident Bonnie Russell said she liked the history of Moses Lake being shown and was affected by the writing.

"It was touching … people looking for work," she said. "Some of this looks familiar."

Judith Owens, a volunteer at the art center, said Moses Lake is changing and it's nice to reflect on the past.

"I think people like to look at the way it was," she said.

Moses Lake resident Max Morley said he lived here in the early 1970s, moved back in 1999 and enjoyed the historic images.

"I'm hoping people will come to expect exhibits like this," center manager Freya Hart said.

The shows run through Feb. 8 at the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center, located at 228 W. Third Ave.

For more information, call 509-766-9395.