Oroville Depot Museum and visitor center to close for the season

OROVILLE – The Old Depot Museum and Oroville Visitor’s Center will close for season Saturday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. and both will re-open Tuesday, May 1, 2012.

The new 2012 exhibit will feature an old time photography studio and displays of pictures from the past and the current view of the same location. The Borderlands Historical Society is looking for old time photography equipment and cameras for the display, which can be on loan for the special exhibit.

“Pre-1960 pictures of the northern part of the county including industries, towns and special events would add additional depth to the exhibit,” said Kay Sibley, director of the Okanogan Borderlands Historical Society, which runs the museum and visitor center.

Anyone with a photograph the historical society can scan should contact Dorothy Petry or Sibley by calling (509) 476-2187.

“We are looking for 2012 museum hosts. Do you have five hours or even three hours once a week to volunteer?” asks Sibley.

Museum volunteers welcome visitors, provide information about the exhibits, assist with research resources, monitor the gift shop and work on a special historical project if desired. Sibley encourages volunteers to sign up now to have fun, meet new people and share information with the many people from near and far that stop in at the museum. For more information call (509) 476-2476.

The historical society has a new board meeting time for the next three months. Beginning in September the meeting will be held at the Depot on the second Tuesday of the month beginning at 6:30 p.m. Meetings usually last about an hour. The next board meeting will be Sept. 13 and business will include information on the visitor center’s success and costs, the six new historical signs for around town, caboose work, air conditioning and discussion of events the historical society will sponsor for Heritage Days.

The fall membership meeting will be held Sunday, Oct. 16 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with refreshments. All members and interested individuals are welcome to attend.