Chartered in 1975 by Cherry Jarvis and friends, The Woodinville Heritage Society remains a valuable and vibrant organization of historically interested citizens of the Woodinville area.   Thanks to Lucy DeYoung and Jim Kraft for representing the society at our morning breakfast on Tuesday, January 5th, our first meeting of the New Year, we learned of the vital work of the society. 

The current focus of The Woodinville Heritage Society is on the people who created Woodinville's rich history and to collect stories, not just artifacts of the residents who live here and remember Woodinville life in the early days.  People like:  Helen McMahon, a Hollywood Hill pioneer, now at age 92, is illustrating a coloring book of her memories of life on the "hill".  Others, like friends of the late Elmer Carlberg and members of the Woodinville Methodist Church will present to the society at the Sammamish Valley Grange Hall this month and in April for purposes of making DVD'S for documentation and fund raising. 

Jim and Gloria Kraft have researched extensively and have restored photo's currently in the society archives.  Several books have been written and projects in progress will add valuable documentation to the ongoing story of Woodinville then and now. 

Current projects include: 
     Preservation and Restoration of the Old Woodinville School, the brick schoolhouse on 175th.
     Landmark Status for The DeYoung House and the Heritage Society Museum to open in January 2011 after street improvements, gates to neighboring communities, outside lighting and exterior improvements. 
     Cityhood Celebrations, Harvest Festival, Historical Displays and Street Naming Projects.

The Woodinville Heritage Society and Museum at the DeYoung House will involve the community in the development and display of vibrant and engaging programs that preserve and tell authentic stories about Woodinville and its people, and promote the understanding and appreciation of our heritage for students, residents and visitors.

Members are encouraged to learn more and become involved with the society through public events and Rotary opportunities to be announced in the near future.

 

The next meeting of the Woodinville Rotary officers and directors will be held January 20 at the DeYoung residence museum. Rotarians interested in learning more about the site are urged to attend.

 

                                                          Susan, Rotary Reporter