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NEWPORT — At the top of a flagpole in Newport’s Centennial Plaza, an American flag flies, flashing red, white and blue above the Pend Oreille County Museum’s historic depot and gazebo.
That is what the Pend Oreille County Historical Society chose to depict on an ornament celebrating the 250th year since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, referred to as the U.S. Semiquincentennial. The ornament, the next in a line of limited-edition ornaments released annually by POCHS, represents just one of the ways the nonprofit is honoring the anniversary. Besides this, POCHS is holding events, opening up the museum for free on certain days and otherwise encouraging local entities to get involved in the celebrations.
“It’s also the historical society’s 60th anniversary this year,” said Sue Mauro, POCHS Board of Administration secretary and Pend Oreille County Museum curator. “So, we’re going to tie that in too.”
Formed by request of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Committee, the Washington Semiquincentennial Committee is coordinating many statewide efforts to participate in the anniversary.
The state committee is chaired by Lt. Gov. Danny Heck, staffed by the Washington State Historical Society and composed of delegates from the state Legislature, agencies and commissions.
Through the bipartisan America250 initiative, POCHS, the county, City of Newport and Pend Oreille County Fair and Rodeo Association are all partners of the state committee’s work.
“It’s part of the community spirit and it’s a good way to get involved,” Mauro said. “It brings people together.”
Already, POCHS has planted red, white and blue flowers on the museum grounds, which are starting to bloom. Volunteers plan to expand the beautification to Centennial Plaza, as well as create a decorative addition to the City of Newport sign.
POCHS also set up a Semiquincentennial display at the Newport Post Office that runs through Monday, May 18.
Soon to launch are social media posts about the Semiquincentennial, some of which will belong to a series, “People Who Shaped Pend Oreille County and the Surrounding Area.” Per the title, this series will feature local historical figures who played critical roles in Pend Oreille River Valley history.
“We’re just tying in everything we can,” Mauro said.
Toward the end of the summer, POCHS is hosting its main Semiquincentennial event: a Community Appreciation Event, scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. The Community Appreciation Event will not only offer free museum admission, but also live music, acting and food, such as ice cream or root beer floats.
With sponsorship from the Washington State Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts, three local musicians are performing on-site for about an hour each. Local actors will wander throughout the museum grounds as local historical figures, giving performances while in costume. Eventgoers can also view a Semiquincentennial display at the museum and visit the museum gift shop.
“We called it a Community Appreciation, ‘cause everything’s going to be free,” Mauro said. “Free admission, free ice cream, free entertainment.”
POCHS will offer free museum admission earlier in the summer, on Washington State Museum Day Saturday, Aug. 8. On this day, museums across the state will offer free or discounted admission.
Other key commemorative dates are Sunday, June 14, a Day of Service when local communities should organize service projects; Saturday, July 4, Independence Day, when organizations are invited to incorporate the Semiquincentennial into Fourth of July celebrations; and Thursday, Sept. 17, a Day of Civic Engagement when local communities should plan activities that support civic education and participation.
All POCHS events will be visible on the state commission’s events calendar.
“It’s really taken off as we get closer to the Fourth of July,” Mauro said.
Americans can do even more than observe those dates, Mauro said.
Restaurants can provide apple or cherry pie specials, businesses can commission window paintings, libraries can share readings, theater groups can stage reenactments, parks can host colonial-era games and individuals can submit to national Semiquincentennial contests.
Mauro has observed American retailers release apparel, snacks, drink cans and other collectibles in commemoration of the Semiquincentennial.
“A lot of people are planting trees,” Mauro said. “And I heard some talk the county might be doing something like that too.”
As previously reported in The Miner, POCHS hopes to bring a national project to Pend Oreille County: a visit from the Freedom Trucks, six mobile museums traveling throughout the county to spread awareness about the Semiquincentennial.
However, for the Freedom Trucks to visit any one location, said location must meet space and power requirements — and POCHS is still searching for one that does.
If the Freedom Trucks were to visit the area, Pend Oreille County would be the first in Eastern Washington to receive them.
“I think Pend Oreille County’s got a good shot at getting it,” Mauro said.
POCHS encourages local entities to find ways to participate in the anniversary, then inform the nonprofit of their plans so it can share them with the state committee.
To reach POCHS, leave a voicemail at 509-4475388 and choose “office,” email [email protected], message POCHS on Facebook, mail PO Box 1409, Newport, WA 99156 or submit a contact form on www.pochsmuseum.org.
For more resources, POCHS recommends visiting www.america-250wa.org.
