By Marianne Lincoln

The greater Graham area needs a history museum. A barn would be the perfect venue, particularly an older style barn.

Local historical buffs could organize a grant writing campaign and some funding mechanisms the same way that the community in Parkland saved the historic Parkland School. There are more than enough stories, and books, that tell the history from Muck Creek to Electron, the Bethel School District, the Harding Mill, Moonshine Valley, Kirby School, and Thrift.

After the Bethel All Classes Reunion, a number of historic school items were left to the organizers for a future historical display. There are still Bethel Brave items available to a museum in the Bethel District warehouse. Many local residents have photos and records from early settlers and native inhabitants.

Carol Wright of the Graham Kapowsin Community Council (G-KCC) has long advocated for a local historical Society, along with Wayne Cooke. Cooke wrote a book and published not long ago with stories of early families of Graham.

But, what they need is a place to put it so people can come to see all the things that used to be here. From railroads and whistle stops, to the Clay City brick plant and construction of the Electron, flume and powerhouse, the history is robust. Andy Anderson’s book, In the Shadow of the Mountain, touches on a lot of it.

So, who has a barn that would qualify? One that is still rescuable, would work. Contact the Pierce Prairie Post or Graham Kapowsin Community Council. Let’s make our local history museum a reality.