Museum Volunteers discuss year’s events, prepare for upcoming season

The regularly scheduled Ritzville Museum Volunteer meeting held at Memories Diner on Tuesday, May 12, began with updates regarding the Dr. Frank R. Burroughs’ Home and Train Depot museums.

Needed repairs to the Burroughs Home porch was made with the project totaling roughly $1,000. The museum volunteers had applied for a grant, which will reimburse the committee funds.

The landline telephones have been removed at both the Train Depot and Burroughs’ Home in an effort to save on expenses.

For any questions, comments or tour appointment for either museum, Jennifer Saunders can be reached at the Chamber of Commerce, located on Main Avenue or at 659-1936.

Volunteers are asked to bring their personal cell phones for needed communication while at the museum.

Other repairs to the Burroughs’ Home included a light switch, furnace filter and seasonal yard work completed in April.

A committee member graciously offered to supervise and take charge of regular upkeep of the home’s yard by open volunteer request of the committee.

The committee received a Lutheran Grant, which, will go toward purchasing a new vacuum and any other needed and/or regularly used supplies such as light bulbs, paper towels, toilet paper and cleaning products. To obtain the Lutheran Grant money, a workday has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The grant awards the committee $25 for every volunteer in attendance during the workday. Routine yard work, maintenance, minor repairs and cleaning will be involved and all proceeds for desired products will be spent at local businesses.

Ritzville Museum Volunteers are extremely thankful for a generous donation of $500 to the Train Depot.

Also on the agenda, a new bell will be located at the Train Depot. Lamar Thiel will build a metal stand for the artifact with the help of design by Dennis Thompson.

Jennifer Saunders, office administrator of the Ritzville Chamber of Commerce, attended the meeting with information on upcoming events and a design for a 2015 brochure of Ritzville tours, programs and specialties. The brochure will reach patrons across eastern Washington and parts of Montana with special offers for group visits and tours available.

Groups will be able to contact the Visitors’ Center office at 659-1936 for questions and scheduling of tours. Saunders will then contact museum members to organize the visit and activities requested.

Museum volunteers and Saunders have already begun organizing for a group of approximately 25 guests from Montana over Labor Day weekend. The group expressed to Saunders a desire to attend local events, specifically including the community parade, depot and Burroughs’ museum.

The group voiced interest in having a light dessert and tea at the Burroughs’ Home while enjoying the tour. Saunders discussed with members in charge of organizing tea at the museum and an agreement was made that visitors request can be met.

Saunders also informed the committee of a five-star tour of summer, which includes the Train Depot Museum. A large group of motorcyclists residing out of Seattle will be riding through Ritzville on a statewide railroad tour.

The Harley Club will be venturing through the Ritzville downtown area between the months of May and August and is expected to be very beneficial to the community.

Saunders then updated the committee of the location change for the geocaching event over Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 23.

The challenging hunt begins at 9 a.m. and will continue through 7 p.m. near the Train Depot with prizes to be awarded.

Saunders expressed positive feedback for the location, being close to public restrooms and local businesses in Ritzville’s historic downtown.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of The Burroughs Home.

Built in 1889 by pioneer physician, Dr. Frank R. Burroughs, the home became the property of the City of Ritzville in 1962 when it was donated by Mrs. Burroughs nephew.

The museum volunteer committee plans to celebrate the banner year in August with an ice cream social, traditional to the house, fashion show and other activities to honor the historic landmark.

The committee members who organize, coordinate and upkeep the remarkable landmarks and museums in Ritzville’s historic community, are strictly volunteers.

Plaques are displayed in the Burroughs Home honoring the committee president and volunteers of the years.

Museum hours are Tuesday’s through Saturdays 12 to 4 p.m. and are closed Sundays and Monday unless requested.