Skagit pioneers donate $4,500 to Skagit County Historical Museum

The annual Skagit County Pioneer Picnic in La Conner is not only steeped in history but also benefits local historical preservation.

That was reinforced Nov. 1 when the Skagit County Pioneer Association Board of Directors approved presentation of $4,500 in proceeds from August’s pioneer picnic to the Skagit County Historical Museum.

The picnic, in addition to serving as a fundraiser for the county museum, has been a summer tradition in La Conner for more than a century. It features a program that honors a Skagit Pioneer Family of the Year and Pioneer Spirit Award recipients.

The 2024 picnic recognized the Wesen family of Bow, which operates an 1,100-acre organic dairy, as the Pioneer Family of the Year. Several Concrete civic leaders shared Pioneer Spirit Award recognition.

Members of the La Conner Civic Garden Club served a salmon luncheon prepared by the Good Girls. Meal proceeds and additional donations generated the funds allocated to the historical museum.

The museum, which is located on Fourth Street on top of the hill, is dedicated to presenting the history of all Skagit County people and communities. It offers exhibits, programs, publications and research services, and maintains the Skagit City School on Fir Island as an educational center.

The museum’s current exhibit features the life of Skagit County rodeo legend Wick Peth, who prior to his passing in 2019 at age 89 introduced athleticism to the realm of bullfighting.

His prowess earned Peth appearances on national television, interviews with prominent newspapers and magazines, and induction into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Peth’s daughter, Liza Peth Bott, a past Skagit Pioneer Association president, expressed appreciation on Friday for the work museum director Jo Wolfe and her staff undertook for the exhibit.

“It’s a very hard-working, smart, artistic bunch of people,” Bott said. “I’m overwhelmed with the exhibit. I can’t say enough about the museum staff.”