2017 Historic Homes Tour another success

Thanks to the wonderful owners of six beautiful old homes in Monroe and all the amazing volunteers, this year’s historic homes tour was another success. Despite the cold damp November weather, about 150 people came out to do the self-guided tour. The additional fundraiser organized by Valeria Rae, selling vintage recipe cookies, was also a great success. Looks like we may have to keep this going as a tradition!

2017 Scholarship recipient

 

Congratulations to our 2017 Haji Family Scholarship recipient, Molly Thompson. The Monroe Historical Society is proud to offer this annual scholarship to a graduating Monroe High School senior each year, thanks to a generous endowment from 1940 Monroe High School valedictorian Hiroko Haji. Society president, Tami Kinney, on right, presented this year’s award to Molly, who plans to attend the University of Washington in the fall.

Spring Program – Monroe as a small town from the 1960s through 1970s

The Monroe Historical Society will hold its annual membership meeting and election of officers on Saturday, March 18 at 1:00 pm at the Monroe Public Library. The short meeting will be followed by a slide show and journey back when, not too long ago, Monroe was a small town of 2,700 and one recognized most  other locals. It was a time when one could do all their shopping and banking on Main Street, when loggers in suspenders and caulk boots were a common site and crossing the highway usually meant just looking both ways and moseying across. Join us for this presentation and, if you have them, share your memories of this period before Monroe became a busier sprawling suburban entity.

Holiday Open House

Holiday Open House! Join us at the Monroe Historical Museum, Saturday December 3, from noon to 3:00, for our annual holiday open house. The event coincides with the downtown Monroe holiday festivities. So come on down to Main Street for a friendly visit, enjoy some refreshments and enjoy some festive tunes on the historic theater piano (when we can get Tami to sit down and play). It’s a great excuse to see what’s at the museum too, if you haven’t been in a while. Hope to see you there!

Monroe Historic Homes Tour

Monroe’s Historic Homes Tour is only weeks away. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are now on sale online and at the Monroe Historical Museum on Main Street. Tickets are $10 and serve as a donation to the Monroe Historical Society as well as admission to six beautiful homes, two historic churches and the 1908 City Hall Building. Spend a Saturday touring some of Monroe’s beautiful old homes and meet some of the dedicated owners who are committed to restoring and preserving them. Online tickets available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2676625

 

The Monroe Monitor, Over a Century of Hometown News

Howard W. Voland crossing Main St. 1953
Howard W. Voland crossing Main St. 1953

The Monroe Historical Society will present a program open to the public at 6:30, Thursday, June 23 at the Monroe Library. Howard M. Voland will discuss the history of the newspaper, with an emphasis on his family’s involvement from 1951 to 1990. Howard M. moved to Monroe in 1951 at the age of two when his father, Howard W. Voland, was hired as editor. Howard M. began hanging around and working on the newspaper from an early age and continued to do so through high school and afterward, when he was on leave from the army. After his father’s death in 1978, Howard M. became editor and in 1982 owner of the Monitor. In 1990, he sold the paper to Ken and Debbie Robinson. Chris Hendrickson, current reporter for the Monitor, will touch briefly on current doings at the paper. One of the oldest newspapers in the state, The Monitor has been continuously published since January of 1899. Digitized copies of the paper are available for viewing through the Resources tab above. The Monroe Library is located at 1070 Village Way. All are very welcome. Admission is free; donations very much appreciated.

March Program: Historic Properties of Snohomish County

Tualco Grange, formerly Tualco School
Tualco Grange, formerly Tualco School

March Program: Historic Properties of Snohomish County, Tuesday, March 22. Historic preservation specialist Cara Bertron and Wendy Poischbeg, Economic and Cultural Development Manager for Snohomish County, present an engaging discussion on the process and outcomes of a historic resource inventory completed last year in unincorporated Snohomish County. Close to 8,000 homes, barns and other structures, some in the Monroe area, were field surveyed for historic integrity and architectural character. Possible next steps in the process will also be discussed. A Q&A session will follow their presentation. In addition Fred Cruger, historic mapper extraordinaire, will give a brief talk on mapping historic properties in the county and historic properties in Monroe. Those interested in a preservation program in Monroe are especially encouraged to attend. There will be a brief annual membership meeting at 6:00 pm prior to the program which all members are encouraged to attend. The program starts at 6:30 pm at the Monroe Library, 1070 Village Way, Monroe, WA. This is an all-ages program open to the public. Hope to see you there!

2015 Quilt Winner

Winner of the 2014 historic quilt, Sharon Howard, is shown at left holding her prize. Longtime member and historical society supporter, Sharon was thrilled with her win. Congratulations Sharon!

Holiday Open House

Holiday Open House!

Members and the public are invited to the annual Monroe Historical Society Holiday Open House. Come see friends, visit the museum and enjoy warm drinks and cookies. Saturday, December 5, 1:00 to 3:00pm at the Monroe Historical Museum, 207 E.Main St., Monroe, WA.

First Field Trip 2015-16

Fourth, 2015 field trip 1Fifth and Sixth grade students from Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe visited the Monroe Historical Museum October 8. Students participated in chores and other activities of a century ago, a walking tour of downtown and time in the museum itself, including a visit to the still intact jail cell. A fine time was had by all. This is one of the 5 FieldTripmany activities available for volunteers. If you would like to help, contact the museum or drop by during open hours.