Civil War Re-Enactors at Polk County Museum Family Day [PCHS/FB] October 5, 2017 Episode.
Have you ever wanted to step back into a specific time period of history? Curious to see what your house/town used to look like? Perhaps wanting to find a missing ancestor or answer a family question? Maybe just yearning for what seems to be a simpler lifestyle? We all have! Today's guest, Ann Gage, is surrounded by history when she works at a local museum that tells the story of our early homesteaders and also at home in her museum-worthy old home.
Have you ever wanted to step back into a specific time period of history? Curious to see what your house/town used to look like? Perhaps wanting to find a missing ancestor or answer a family question? Maybe just yearning for what seems to be a simpler lifestyle? We all have! Today's guest, Ann Gage, is surrounded by history when she works at a local museum that tells the story of our early homesteaders and also at home in her museum-worthy old home.
 Polk County Museum at the Fairgrounds, Rickreall, Oregon [PCHS/FB] |  Historic Brunk House & Farm, Highway 22W |
Ann Gage has history and volunteerism running through her veins. This recently-retired teacher spends many hours at the Polk County Museum, where she is their Education/Public Outreach Coordinator, as well as at the 1861 Brunk House & Farm, the pioneer homestead just outside of West Salem on Highway 22W maintained by the Polk County Historical Society.
Ann remarked that she comes from a family of educators. Her mother was very involved with the historical society, serving as president during the construction of the newer museum, so she has much personal experience in her background.
Ann remarked that she comes from a family of educators. Her mother was very involved with the historical society, serving as president during the construction of the newer museum, so she has much personal experience in her background.
The Polk County Historical Society was formed in 1959 by local citizens who wanted to preserve and teach others about the history of their area. Artifacts were taken from storage in personal homes and barns and placed in the Carnegie Library in Dallas, the county seat. Soon, however, the museum outgrew its space and construction of a new museum building was begun in 1998 at its current site on the south end of the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall, one of the oldest towns in the county. The 1861 homestead of Harrison Brunk was willed to the historical society, and they took over the maintenance of this home and small farm in 1974, opening it up to the public to provide an experience of life on a pioneer homestead.
The grand staircase leads to more discoveries on the Second Floor [PCHS/FB] The Museum displays artifacts in vignettes, such as a schoolroom, a typical kitchen, or a local doctor's office. There are photographic displays of the smaller towns, some of which are no longer in existence, displays of military uniforms and equipment, and a large area devoted to the logging and railroad industries. A display of old typewriters grabs the attention of the kiddos, as do the natural resource and taxidermy displays. A full-sized replica of a covered wagon occupies center-stage of the first floor, and an enlarged map of the donation land claims takes up most of an adjacent wall. There is a well-respected research library housed here, with knowledgeable genealogists and an archivist on hand to help you with your project. You can also choose to have one of their able volunteers do your research for a small fee.
 Spring - Family Day |  Summer - Porch Sale |  Fall - Applefest at Brunk House |
The Museum and the Brunk House are both supported entirely by private donations, memberships, and various fundraising efforts, and totally run by volunteers--with no paid staff. Contrary to most public assumptions, they receive no subsidy or sponsorship from any governmental agency. As with most non-profit organizations, historic and cultural groups continually struggle to establish sustainable operating funding.
The PCHS holds several special events every year. At the Museum, Family Day occurs in March, with demonstrations of homesteading skills and Civil War re-enactors. Their annual Porch Sale happens in July, and they man a booth at the Polk County Fair in August. Brunk House & Farm hosts a cider pressing each fall in September/October to showcase their farm-grown apples, and is also the hub for the Salem Car Club's Poker Run during the Cherry Blossom Drive in the spring. Throughout most of the year, there is a free educational program presented on the third Saturday afternoon of the month. Ann reported that in 2018 they would be following a civil-war theme, with an Abraham Lincoln presenter scheduled to provide a special program.
The PCHS holds several special events every year. At the Museum, Family Day occurs in March, with demonstrations of homesteading skills and Civil War re-enactors. Their annual Porch Sale happens in July, and they man a booth at the Polk County Fair in August. Brunk House & Farm hosts a cider pressing each fall in September/October to showcase their farm-grown apples, and is also the hub for the Salem Car Club's Poker Run during the Cherry Blossom Drive in the spring. Throughout most of the year, there is a free educational program presented on the third Saturday afternoon of the month. Ann reported that in 2018 they would be following a civil-war theme, with an Abraham Lincoln presenter scheduled to provide a special program.
Ann Gage & Bette Jo Lawson ride in the Fourth of July Parade, commemorating the 1947 Parade in which this car first participated. [PCHS/FB] As you can see, there is much to see, touch and hear "over the river" in the museums of Polk County. Take a day out of the rain, or perhaps out of the heat, and visit this local gem. You also have an opportunity to actively participate in the life of these two unique museums by becoming a volunteer. Your time and skills are worth more than you probably realize, and may be just what they have been wishing for. Your support will be most appreciated.
For more information on hours and events, check out their website or phone them at (503)623-6251.
For more information on hours and events, check out their website or phone them at (503)623-6251.
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