Museum volunteers honored, accomplishments noted

The Ritzville Museums honored local volunteers who have stepped up to help the museums succeed during the last year. During a meeting on Oct. 9, the group presented Gaynel Gering with the Hall of Fame award and honored Roger Schwab with the Volunteer of the Year award.

Plaques honoring the Hall of Fame and Volunteer of the Year award winners since 2006 are on display at the Burroughs’ Home and the Railroad Depot.

Museum volunteers during the 2012-year included Dale and Yvonne Anderson, Joanne McCrady, Della Kiesz, Terry and Herb Janzen, Ann Olson, Dorothy and Chris Clinesmith, L.R. Keith, Gering, Velda Miller, Sally Powers, Laura Danekas, Gretchen Snyder, Marge Schoessler, Mikki and Ron Kison, Diane Eastman, Roger and Sandee Schwab, Dottie and Ann Telecky, Deann and Carol Becker, Bev Cobb and Nancy Burke.

Ruth Keeley, Delores Allert, Barbara Maruska and Debbie Chapman, members of the Victorian Society, served tea and scones to visitors on their workdays.

Over the course of the last year, the Burroughs’ Home and the Railroad Depot drew visitors from all over the United States and across the world. Visitors to the museums traveled from 28 states, England, Denmark, Holland, Hungary and five Canadian provinces.

The year brought 655 visitors to the Railroad Depot and 301 guests to the Burroughs’ Home, some of which attended tea and birthday parties at the museum.

The volunteers at the museums ensure that projects are accomplished to maintain the museums and the artifacts. The Burroughs’ Home improvements included a railing and light for the basement stairwell, the addition of a hanging door curtain and repair of the rocking chairs.

At the Train Depot, the rain gutters were sealed and Keith put old style locks on the doors in the men’s bathroom. The city provided garbage containers and animal waste bags to help keep the farm equipment and lawn area clean.

Donations added to the inventory at the Railroad Depot include a semaphore signal, rail-rod, original Pullman car blanket, and more items that are going to be placed in 2013.

For the second consecutive year, the Depot has a well-stocked gift shop that sells a variety of souvenirs, including railroad memorabilia, coffee mugs and books. The profits from the gift shop and donations from visitors help offset museum expenses.

Both museums are open May to September, Tuesday through Saturday. New hours for 2013 are from noon until 4 p.m. Additional tours are provided by appointment only and can be scheduled through the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce office at 659-1936.

Museum tours are offered at no charge for elementary students. For more museum information, visit http://goritzville.com and follow the links to the Ritzville Museums.