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Skagit River Journal

of History & Folklore
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The most in-depth, comprehensive site about the Skagit
Covers from British Columbia to Puget Sound. Counties covered: Skagit, Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Snohomish & BC. An evolving history dedicated to committing random acts of historical kindness
Noel V. Bourasaw, editor (bullet) 810 Central Ave., Sedro-Woolley, Washington, 98284
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Happy Historical Birthday
Skagit County Historical Society 1959-2009

      Introduction: When we researched the beginning of the Skagit County Historical Society, we discovered that SCHS is 50 years old this year. Below we share a copy of the article we found in the records of Territorial Daughters, Chapter 1. The information was verified in Dick Fallis's 1983 book, Skagit Centennial Almanac, which you can also read below:
SCHS began in 1959
By Hazel Hartman, unknown year
      The early history of the Historical Society had its beginning in 1958 at the time William Schumaker was the President of the Skagit County Pioneer Association. He, as well as many others felt the urgent need of forming some kind of a society to preserve the early documents, newspapers, maps and other artifacts of our early pioneers and their history, for coming generations.
      For years Pioneer-minded folks had expressed the desire for a museum but no definite action was taken until 1958, when at a board meeting of the Pioneer Association, President Schumaker was directed to appoint a temporary committee to report on the possibilities at the annual meeting. Francis Jensen was appointed as chairman; others were secretary, Veda FaJler, Wally Funk of Anacortes, Ann Harrison, of Sedro-Woolley; Claude Davis of Conway, Pat O'Leary of LaConner [editor of the Puget Sound Mail newspaper].
      Claude Davis moved the incoming President George Dunlap appoint a new committee to further carry on the plans toward a museum. The temporary committee headed by Francis Jensen presented a resolution at the Pioneer meeting August 7, 1958, calling for a new committee of seven on a county wide basis to be appointed by the new President George Dunlap, to try and establish .a museum
      President Dunlap appointed Herman Anderson as chairman, others appointed were, Mrs. William Anderson, Mrs. Deyo, Daughters of the Pioneers; Mrs. Bruce Cameron, D.A.R.; Mrs. W.F. Hall, Territorial Daughters 2; Mrs. Ethel Harris, Territorial Daughters 1; Mrs. John Demorist, Ray Jordan [Sedro-Woolley author], Charles Dwelley [publisher, Concrete Herald], Mrs. Grace Norris, Claude Davis, Mrs. Marion Young, Mrs. Madge Stafford and Wally Funk, of Anacortes.
      A smaller committee was formed to meet and formulate some kind of a working plan, they to meet with the full committee later on. A preliminary meeting was held at the small Court House November 19, 1958. The new Historical Society was officially organized February 3, 1959 at the first quarterly meeting. Herman Anderson was elected President, Mrs. Ann .Harrison Vice President, Mrs. Margery Anderson Secretary, Mrs. Floyd Faller Treasurer.
      Herman Anderson reported on the progress of the Historical Society and the museum at the August 6, 1959 meeting of the Pioneer Association, which had sponsored the project the past year. Through the efforts of Herman Anderson in interesting Dr. Norwood Cole, professor of history at the Skagit Valley College, in the museum project he made it possible for the Historical Society to have the use of a room in Lewis Hall on the campus rent free. This he felt would be an asset to the students for research work.
50 years
Herman C. Anderson in Skagit Centennial Almanac, 1983
      When the Skagit County Historical Society was organized in 1958 and 1959, Herman C. Anderson was appointed chairman and was elected president, getting the Historical Society on its way. During that time, Anderson compiled and published the following list, basing it on sound research and checking it against many sources in order to achieve the most complete and accurate list possible in the briefest and most useful form.
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Story posted on June 20, 2009 . . . Please report any broken links so we can update them

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