White River Valley Museum
White River Valley Museum is a historical museum located in Auburn, Washington.
History
Created through the combined effort of the City of Auburn and the, the White River Valley Museum has been open to the public as far back as January 1996. Since then, the museum has published a monthly newsletter, "White River Journal", while working to preserve regional historical artifacts and sites, including the Mary Olsen Farm. In 2001, the White River Valley Museum applied for and received the Mary Olson Farm's placement onto the National Register of Historic Places.Mission
The White River Valley Museum's mission statement is: "The White River Valley Museum is a partnership with the city of Auburn and combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors."Exhibits
The White River Valley Museum has both permanent exhibits and four temporary exhibits per year. The museum's collections focus on local Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese-Americans, and the Northern Pacific Railroad.- 1924 Auburn Depot - visitors can view and experience the Northern Pacific Railroad depot and caboose.
- 1915 Japanese Farmhouse - teaches visitors about the Iseri Family of Thomas Washington, including picture brides, Buddhist home altars, and life on truck farms.
- Downtown Auburn in the 1920s - includes the Auburn Public Market and the Auburn Hat Shop with replica hats that museum visitors may handle.
- Muckleshoot Indian Tribe - includes a c 1890 river canoe display and a scale model of a winter house.
- Northern Clay Company, aka Gladding, McBean - illustrates the architectural terra cotta of Seattle and Tacoma, and the clay industry of the Green River Valley, the Auburn laborers, and Vienna designers.
- Tourist Hotel of 1924 - illustrates Auburn as a boom town in the 1920s and includes photos of the 1924 mayor Otto Bersch and a conductor for the Northern Pacific Railroad.