Capital budget includes funds to repair Washtucna Heritage Museum roof

With other big-name projects in Adams County also receiving funding in the 2019-21 state capital budget, it might have been difficult to notice the $24,000 that had been set aside in the budget for the Washtucna Heritage Museum.

But for the museum, the funds are crucial for helping to alleviate leaks in the building’s roof, which became noticeable earlier this year as snow began to melt. The $24,000 has been awarded to the museum as an emergency measure for the sole purpose of repairing the roof.

According to Karin Clinesmith, Vice President and Treasurer of the Washtucna Heritage Museum, this is the first time a Washtucna-based organization has received funds from the state’s capital budget. She said the museum is “so thankful” to have been allotted the funds.

The leaks caught Museum officials by surprise, said Clinesmith. They first noticed the leaks this March, when the snow began melting. They initially addressed the problem by placing several buckets underneath the roof’s leaks, which they continually emptied for several weeks.

The funding will solve an immediate leakage problem in both the back storage area and in the display area. Water also affected a wall of the museum’s newly remodeled handicap accessible bathroom. Clinesmith said that continuing water damage to outside corner bricks is an issue that can hopefully be addressed in the future.

“We have been blessed as help comes at just the right time,” said Clinesmith. Clinesmith also thanked Sen. Mark Schoesler and Rep. Joe Schmick from the Ninth Legislative District for their help in getting the roof funding included in the capital budget.