Fair history barn to expand function

The Grant County Fair History Barn has been a hit-and-miss affair for some years now. Three of us have taken the barn under our wing for the past few years, but our efforts have not allowed our county’s history to shine.

The History Barn Committee is an unofficial and loosely structured body, consisting of Denise Keegan, Judy Warnick and me. A Few years ago we sorted through hundreds of photos and documents, cleaned the barn and organized the resulting history.

Our county fair history is on display for all to see in an easy to follow manner, but the function of this building can be improved. Another part of fair history was the annual Neppel Day, when people would meet in the old Grange building, now the Huck Fuller building.

This event was attended by dozens of people. However, as with many events involving people from past generations, the numbers began to dwindle. It was noted most of the people attending lived in or near Neppel or had reason to visit Neppel on a regular basis.

When I asked why people from other Grant County cities and towns didn’t attend, the answer was because the event was for Neppel people only. This was not true, of course, but the perception remained.

The fair manager allowed a two-hour time period for Pioneer Days, beginning at 11 a.m. which was followed by Neppel Days at 1 p.m. This idea worked a bit, but not as well it should.

The History Barn was open for about two hours this year. Jim Hergert, Nikki Winckler, Darron Dixon and me cleaned the barn on Monday before the fair. As soon as the doors were opened, there was a steady stream of people viewing the items on display. Our problem has been a lack of volunteers to be at the barn during the fair.

Denise once spent 90 percent of the fair open hours at the barn. This was great of her, but totally unjust and unreasonable.

I have a plan to revive Pioneer Days, Neppel Days and the History Barn. First be aware the barn has two air conditioners and a fan, so the temperature inside is much cooler than outside the door.

What if we recruited more volunteers to staff the barn? Perhaps each would spend as little as two hours at the barn or more if they desire. Plus we could hold Pioneer and Neppel days at the barn.

The various county museums would be invited to hold a lecture, seminar or other type of presentation. On a certain day at a certain time, a museum would talk about Quincy or Warden or Electric City.

Other entities would also be invited to present a lecture or display. Imagine the Washington Department of Fish and wildlife talking about deer, elk, rabbits or wolves. So Fish and Wildlife could hold presentations about the different fish or wildlife in Grant County, perhaps one or two a day.

The Bureau of Reclamation would be invited to discuss the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. The Grant County PUD could also discuss their part in Grant County history. Columbia Basin Job Corps could talk about their 50 year history in Grant County.

We could have a specific time for Pioneer Days and another for Neppel Days. Perhaps one of the museums could be present at those times to discuss the entire county for Pioneer Days and Neppel for Neppel Days. Questions in my mind include: How many people lived in Neppel? And How large, area wise, was Neppel?

The more I think about and write about this idea of expanding the History Barn, the more it seems possible and workable. The mayors of the county towns and cities could be invited to attend when their town was featured.

What is needed at this point? If you would like to volunteer, call or send me a note at: dclay@atnet.net and 509-762-5158. Yes, it is a year away, but I want to see how many will be interested. More calls for volunteers will be presented next June and July.

Also, I’ll begin contacting the museums and other entities to plant the seed. Let me know if your organization would like to present its history, such as Lyons, Kiwanis, etc.

Yes, the more I think about it, the more this idea of increasing the function of the History Barn seems practical and workable, but you, the future volunteers, are the key to success.