Historical museum fundraiser will enshrine all-star lineups

The Skagit County Historical Museum is sporting a new look these days.

With its popular “Hometown Teams” exhibit running through Nov. 10, the museum in La Conner has scheduled another highlight event featuring a sports theme.

It’s Nov. 2 fundraiser “Party Like You’re in the Hall of Fame” at Maple Hall reprises gathering supporters – fans – a year after celebrating its golden anniversary there.

The inducement this year: The museum will induct its first two sets of Hall of Fame members, an idea akin to hitting the ball out of the park.

“We will be recognizing the folks who first had the vision for preserving Skagit history – the founding committee of the Historical Society – and those who made the museum a reality,” says Museum Director Jo Wolfe.

The names read like a virtual Who’s Who of Skagit history.

The Historical Society’s founding panel was comprised of George Dunlap, Mrs. William Anderson, Stella Deyo, Mrs. Bruce Cameron, Mrs. W.P. Hall, Mrs. John Demorest, Ray Jordan, Charles Dwelley, Grace Norris, Claude Davis, Mrs. Myron Young, Mrs. Madge Stafford, Wallie Funk, Herman Anderson, Veda Faller, John Flood Conrad and Mrs. Emil Olson.

Those credited with bringing the dream of an historical museum in Skagit County to reality, a number of whom served on the founding committee, were Mr. and Mrs. Louis Valentine, Verne Sapp, Mrs. Lloyd Hartman, Mrs. Madge Stafford, Kathleen Sharpe, Wayne Lindstrom, Mrs. John Ball, William Gallagher, Mary Jorgenson, Mrs. Jack Smith, Faith Paddock, P.H. “Bud” Dunlap, Fred Martin, George Peth, Alice Jensen, Mrs. Ed Zimmerman, Mrs. Ralph Nelson, John Flood Conrad, Percey Stendal, Mrs. Etta Nicoll, Loree Jensen, John Peth, Irene Schumaker, Mary Ploeg, Mrs. Harvey Sullivan, Marie Dahl, Ralph Walters, Edward W. Janson, Mrs. Floyd Faller, Mrs. L. Glenn Davis, Lloyd Hartman, George Croxford, Charles Dwelley and Mrs. Martin Steen.

Fans of Skagit history are invited to attend and “Party Like You’re in the Hall of Fame.” Wolfe says.

Tickets are priced at $50 apiece and $350 for a “box seat” table seating eight, available for purchase at the museum.

The event, like most sports contests, won’t lack for talent.

Maynard Axelson and Don Wick will man the auction block with Knut Bell providing music and Mike in the Morning performing master of ceremonies duties.

Sponsors for “Party Like You’re in the Hall of Fame” include Banner Bank; La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib; Baird; Bay Baby Produce; La Conner Weekly News; Windermere, Rebecca Chamberlain; Skagit Community Foundation; Sierra Pacific; and JP Automotive.

That, in itself, is a rather formidable lineup.

For more “Party Like You’re in the Hall of Fame” info, contact the museum: 360-466-3365, [email protected].