Museum docent Judy Hopkins serves a plate of crackers spread with "home-made" butter, the grand finale to the recent SHSD's 4th grade tour of the museum properties.
By Nancy Covert
Do you know why Steilacoom is known as a “Place of Firsts”? Or why, at one time, “all roads led to Steilacoom”?
Just ask any Steilacoom School District Fourth Grade student who’s recently visited Steilacoom’s Historical Museum, and he/she will tell you many interesting facts about the Town on the Sound.
Maybe they’ll tell you about their butter-making session, too.
Approximately 300 Fourth Grade students from Saltar’s Point Elementary (in groups of 25 per visit), in late January, toured the Nathaniel Orr Home, the Wagon Shop and the Steilacoom Historical Museum.
Tour highlights included making butter, grinding coffee beans, and rolling bread dough.
The youngsters sampled a variety of old-time games and learned what it was like to be part of an early Steilacoom family. They also learned why Steilacoom is a “Place of Firsts.”
The students, especially the boys, enjoyed Mr. Orr’s Wagon Shop where they operated antique tools such as a wood planer to make “curly –Q’s”.
Steilacoom Historical Museum at 1801 Rainier St. remains closed to the Public during the Winter, but opens from noon- 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6 and Sunday, March 6.
Regular museum hours (Saturday and Sunday, from 1-4 p.m.) are in effect from April through October. Phone 584-4133 for more information or visit the museum’s website at www.steilacoomhistorical.org to learn more about the Association and its assorted events.
The Association’s popular “Silent Movie” Night returns in March. Watch for details about this year’s feature.
The Bair Drug and Hardware at 1617 Lafayette is another Museum Association property. Be sure to order a Green River Soda and see the early day Steilacoom Post Office.