The Chewelah Museum

A single room of interesting artifacts, displayed at the Chewelah Fun Fair in the summer of 1965 was the beginning of the present spacious museum. The exhibit drew so much interest it was decided to add to it the following year and the idea mushroomed.

Instigators of the museum were primarily Walt Goodman and his niece, Dorothy, (Mrs. Arnold) Traaen. Both interested in local history and historical artifacts, they pooled their ideas to create what became the present museum.

The Chewelah Fun Fair was held in the Armory building now used by the Garment Factory. From the modest one room start, the building was soon filled with mainly local items of interest. The people of Chewelah and surrounding areas were cooperative and generous. Many gave valuable family collections and others placed them on a loan basis with the idea of eventually donating.

Among the early donors were: the estates of David Jenkins, John J. Travis, Eugene (Telephone) Smith and the Woodburys. These generous gifts helped to form the nucleus of the present collection. Now, over 250 persons have loaned or donated to the Museum and the artifacts on display number in the thousands.

Among the later donors were: The estate of Clara Zundell. Many items of furniture from the old Addy Hotel are on display. Mrs. Zundell also left a substantial cash gift toward future expansion of the museum building.

Another recent donor is Claire Hartnett, pioneer aviator of the area. He and Mrs. Hartnett have added many items of their personal collections to the museum. These items will remain as a memorial to the father of Mr. Hartnett, who was a pioneer homesteader in the Bear Creek area.

Naturally, it is not possible to name all of the persons who have contributed to the success of the museum. Many, many persons have helped. The Chewelah Women's Club have helped to clean the building and cases in preparation to the summer opening. They have also provided a cash gift toward the future growth of the museum.

The City of Chewelah and the City crews have helped. When it was necessary to move all of the museum items to the present building much help was given by the men in preparing the building and moving the many artifacts. Orin Colbert has been cooperative in helping to provide help for the operation of the museum during the summer months.

Everett Jenne and the late Elaine Goodman gave much of their time in conducting special tours at times when the museum was not open to the public.

The Chewelah Historical Society was formed and is in operation to oversee the functioning of the museum.

The Northwest Magnesite Company was generous in making gifts of much of the old mining equipment.

Howard Ziebell has given much of his personal time over the last few years in building and restoring historic radio equipment expressly for exhibit in the museum.

Many others (240, in fact) have seen fit to provide interesting and unique items to the display for the public to enjoy. One of the most recent is the Alaskan exhibit, donated by Mrs. Ken (Fern) Klintworth of Ford, Washington.

She gave a valuable collection of clothing etc. which she obtained during their stay in Alaska.

Each year the museum grows. New (old) items are constantly being received and placed on display. Old pictures of the area or persons from the area are always welcome and will be shown in the picture from which, in itself tells a lot of Chewelah history.

The telephone directory display is interesting and rare. It was donated to the museum, along with many other items by the late Albert Kulzer, former Chewelah Attorney and prominent citizen.

Many of the people who pass thru Chewelah's museum claim that it is one of the best ever and we like to believe them.