Cowlitz County museum reports new signage, strong outreach and upcoming exhibits

Museum staff told the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners the county museum has completed several facility and program projects and is preparing new exhibits.

The museum representative said an electronic reader board installed in October replaced 25‑year‑old equipment and “is much easier to update” and produces better graphics. Facilities crews pressure‑washed the front and rear entrances and replaced exit‑sign lighting, and the department moved to a new janitorial schedule that staff said has improved restroom and building upkeep.

The museum reported 158 registrants for a partnered walking cemetery tour and described regular adult and family programming including a winter festival, an archeology presentation on a 1947 B‑25 crash near Kelso, and school outreach through a traveling‑trunk program. The museum said it has collected local sports artifacts donated by David Ritchie, a Kelso High School alumnus who played college and professional football, and will use those items in a future local‑sports exhibit.

Staff said membership for the historical society is about 250, an increase of roughly 8% from the prior year, and that school visits and outreach at county events such as Squatch Fest have improved visibility. The museum invited commissioners to a business‑after‑hours event with the Kelso‑Longview Chamber of Commerce scheduled the same evening and said its “Moments That Made Us” exhibit is planned to open March 5, with a spring art show reception set for March 28.

The presentation ended with staff offering to provide more detailed visitation and program metrics by email.

The commission did not take formal action on the report; the update was presented for information and follow‑up questions.