Ritzville Museum Volunteers welcome new board members, prep for summer season

The Ritzville Museum Volunteers hosted their annual meeting on May 15, and welcomed new volunteers and board members to the nonprofit organization. With over 25 people at the meeting, it was the highest attendance at the meeting in years.

With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the Burroughs Home and the Train Depot will open their doors to visitors. Volunteers are responsible for opening the museums and showing visitors around during hours of operation.

Starting Memorial Day weekend and running until Labor Day weekend, the museums will be open from 12-4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Gaynel Gering, Vice President for the Depot Museum, reviewed the minutes from the last meeting, with the highlights being the replacement of the Burroughs Home porch and a large RV group coming through the city.

Gering also announced Priscilla Thompson volunteered for the position of secretary, and began her role at the beginning of the meeting.

Debbie Chapman provided the current balance for the organization, which was $22,754.55. She said all of the insurance has been paid, as well as electricity payments for both museums.

Gering said over the past summer season, the museums received around $300 in donations and from purchases in the museum souvenir shops.

Susie Kirkendall provided an update as the Vice President of the Burroughs Home. She stepped into the role after Nancy Burke moved from the community.

Kirkendall has been cleaning the Burroughs Home, as well as doing yard work around the museum. She welcomes any individual willing to assist with these tasks to join or contact her for more information.

The Burroughs Home recently hosted a tea at the museum, and Kirkendall said the new board members will need to work together to see if hosting tea events is a fundraiser they want to continue to offer.

Kirkendall also explained all new volunteers can receive training about both museums, and volunteers are welcome to work at one or both of the museums. She said there are also instructional materials available for volunteers to use when providing tours to visitors.

Gering explained the Museum Volunteers are undergoing a transition year, as many previous board members were looking to retire from their roles. Gering has provided over 34 years of volunteerism to the museums, and announced this will be her final summer with the board.

“We want to keep Ritzville going,” Gering stated. “Don’t be scared to volunteer.”

Gering asked for all volunteers to make sure visitors sign in when visiting the museum, as the sign in sheets assist the organization when applying for grants.

She also reminded those in attendance that tours can be provided year-round based on availability of volunteers and visitors making appointments.

LR Keith added the Depot floors have been refurbished, and he plans to install a train order signal at the museum in the upcoming months. He added the Burroughs Home porch also needs to be stained.

After elections, the board for the upcoming year is Randy Flyckt as president, Thompson as secretary, Callie Moore as treasurer, and Mikki Pittman, Nina Green and Kylie Fullmer as board members.

A list of volunteers was also established during the meeting, and those interested in volunteering can still sign up for the summer months.

The Museum Volunteers do not have membership roster and there are not any membership dues to be paid, which allows any individual the possibility of volunteering.

For those individuals interested in volunteering at the Burroughs Home, contact Kirkendall at 659-1157.

People interested in volunteering at the Depot can contact Gering at 659-1279.

Orientation will be provided for all volunteers before their first shift at the museums.