Closed for the Winter

Redmen Hall is now closed until Thursday, March 5, when it will reopen for the Annual Antique Sale!  Happy Holidays and see you in March!

Final Weekend of Deck the Hall Holiday Open House!

Pop in to pick up some wonderful gifts, many from local authors, artisans, and artists!  Thursday December 11-Sunday December 14, noon to 4pm!

The Christmas and Redmen Hall birdhouses sold out last weekend, but more are on their way and will be available by December 14. Supplies are limited, so reserve yours today! Specify original or Christmas design.

"Deck the Hall" - Annual Open House at Redmen Hall!

Our Holiday Open House schedule will be:

Friday, November 28 from 10-4
Saturday, November 29 from 12-4
Sunday, November 30 from 12-4

Resuming our regular hours the next two weekends:  Thursdays-Sundays from 12-4.  The last day is December 14. 

Santa's helpers are busy stocking up the store for an awesome selection of holiday gifts!  There will be refreshments and live music from local musicians the first weekend.   Local author Robert Pyle will be reading from his new book of poems and signing copies at 2:00pm on Saturday, November 29.  His new book is called "Evolution of Genus Iris - a Book of Poems". 

The Hall will be closed after December 14 and will reopen March 5, 2015 with our famous annual antique sale, sponsored by Keith Hoofnagle.

Mark your calendars! 

Harvest Benefit Concert Saturday, November 22 at 7:30pm

Redmen Hall will be presenting our second Harvest Benefit concert on Saturday the 22nd of November.

A new group will be giving their first official concert after having played their well-received music at several venues in Wahkiakum County. The group, calling themselves 'Lazer Trash' describes themselves as a "band rooted in the back woods of Skamokawa--a fusion of beats, soothing melodics, harmonies, and even a banjo. Playing throughout the Pacific Northwest, their love for music and community finds them playing many charitable and youth events". The band, consisting of Jillian Weiss, Levi Helms, and Erik Friend, will be playing from 7:30 until about 9:30 with a break for food and conversation.

The event, which will be $5 for adults and free for those under 12, will be a benefit for the new band and for Redmen Hall's fundraising for new lighting for our exhibits. See you there!

Christmas at Redmen Hall

We have a new series of Redmen Hall replica birdhouses, "Christmas at Redmen Hall", available at our Holiday Open House weekends from November 28 through December 14.

Tour Redmen Hall!

Bring your small group to Redmen Hall for a special, individualized tour!  Call to schedule today!

"Over the Edge" Concert Saturday, November 15 at 7:30pm

November Events at Redmen Hall

This weekend is the last for our current exhibit from artists Nell Coulson and Mitzi Christensen.

Redmen Hall will be cheering up our gloomy Fall with 'Harvest Benefit' concerts on Saturday, November 15th and the next Saturday the 22nd. Our first will be presenting Jerry Ledtke, Pete Davis, and Becky Ledtke performing an entertaining blend of original and traditional music featuring guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and voice. This group has given concerts over Southwestern Washington and Northwestern Oregon and have become well known  for their wonderful style. The concert will open at 7:30 and will run to 9:30 with refreshments at the break. The concert will be $10 at the door.

The second concert will be Saturday the 22nd of November starting at 7:30 and will feature a band beginning to make a name for itself- Jillian Wise and her group. There will be more information about their presentation closer to the event. Both of these concerts will be at Redmen Hall. The concerts will be a benefit for Redmen Hall to raise money for improving our exhibit displays. The Hall is at 1394 SR-4 in Skamokawa, Washington. The Hall is open to visitors Thursday to Sunday from 12 to 4. Our telephone # is 360-795-3007.

Our new birdhouses are in the news! Get one at the open house at Tsuga Gallery on October 24 from 5-7pm or at Redmen Hall's Holiday Open House weekends November 28-December 14!

Wahkiakum Eagle article

New Birdhouses Available!

Remember the craft birdhouses that looked like Redmen Hall?  Well, they all sold and brought in $375 toward putting a new bell in the tower!  That was only the beginning of something exciting!  Since 2014 marks the 120th Anniversary of Redmen Hall, (the school was dedicated at a picnic on July 4, 1894), we have partnered with Tsuga Gallery artists to offer more birdhouses!  These birdhouses will be used to raise funds for a new paint job for Redmen Hall. These are also limited editions of hand-painted craft birdhouses for a minimum $10.00 sponsorship.  Help beautify and protect Redmen Hall from the elements by buying one of these lovely birdhouses.  They will be available at the Tsuga Gallery Open House on Friday, October 24th from 5-7pm and later on at Redmen Hall's Holiday Open House weekends November 28-December 14.

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Final Auction Results!

Final results are in for our Annual Wine Tasting and Auction.

Total Income:  $8,586.00
Total Expense: 2,804.58
Net Income:    $5,781.42

Thank you to everyone for your support!

Adventuring on the Columbia in 1956

These pages come from a booklet that was donated to our archives by Jane Keatley Harmer.

Puget Island 1956

Skamokawa 1956

Annual Cornucopia of Wines Tasting and Auction TODAY!!!

6:30 Tonight at the Skamokawa Grange Hall, 18 Fairgrounds Road in Skamokawa!

Countdown to Annual Wine Tasting and Auction 2014!

It's one day until our Annual Cornucopia of Wines event!  Tickets are now on sale for the presale price of $15/single or $25/couple at Bank of the Pacific, Elochoman Marina, Skamokawa Store, Vista Park, and of course, Redmen Hall!  Get yours today and join us tomorrow night!

The Wahkiakum Trolley is ferrying attendees to/from this event and may be boarded at the Elochoman Marina in Cathlamet or at Vista Park in Skamokawa.  Round-trip tickets are $5 and seating is limited so get your tickets to ride today, too!  They are available at the same locations listed above.

See you on Saturday!

Member Memories - John Maki

John Maki

Buttermaker:  Skamokawa Creamery

(Submitted by Leroy Maki)

My father, John I. Maki (Jim) was a buttermaker for the Skamokawa Creamery for a number of years and won awards for the butter he made. In 1928, he received a gold medal (first place for the best butter of the show) in the Pacific Slope Dairy Show. He was competing with buttermakers representing 14 Western States which included Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Idaho, etc. He got a silver medal in 1928, 1929, and 1931 for the best butter in the State of Washington. He developed health problems and quit the butter making business in 1937 and bought a dairy farm in Middle Valley from the Frank Koblitz family. I have written a family history of my family, mostly my biography, and in it I have included a biography that was dictated to my brother, Leonard. In it, Dad tells of his experiences in butter making. Right after he was married in 1924, he worked first for a dairy farm and later began working in the creamery at Grays River. When the buttermaker in Grays River quit, Dad applied for the position of buttermaker in the creamery in Grays River but was turned down. Here is what he wrote:

“The local creamery [in Grays River] merged with the Co-Op in Astoria.  The creamery put in a cold storage plant and a generator and furnished electricity for the town.  Now that I was married, I needed more money, and I asked for a raise.  The Manager of the Association turned me down, and said if I wanted more money that I had to get a buttermaker's job.  So, I quit, and we moved in with Dad and Mother.  We fixed up a small house in which to live.

            I heard that there was a vacancy for a buttermaker in Skamokawa, so I went over to interview for the job.  They took me on trial, and if I made good, I would receive $200 a month, which was good pay in those times.  I left the family at Grays River and boarded with some people in Skamokawa.  That fall [1928] I won a gold medal and two silver medals at the Pacific Dairy Exposition.  My job was secure. After the Christmas and New Year's holidays, I moved the family to Skamokawa and rented a furnished cottage.”

Dad worked for the Skamokawa creamery for nine years, from 1928 until he purchased the Koblitz farm in 1937.

History Lesson #4 - Celebrating our 120th Anniversary!

History Lesson #3 - Celebrating our 120th Anniversary!

History Lesson #2 - Celebrating our 120th Anniversary!

History Lesson #1 - Celebrating our 120th Anniversary!

The next exhibit at Redmen Hall, kicking off with an opening reception on Saturday, September 6 from 1-3pm.  Don't miss it!

Gift Shop Bursting with Excellent Merchandise!

The gift shop at Redmen Hall is loaded with merchandise handmade by local artists and artisans.  Also some great FOS merchandise.  Remember, current members receive 10% discounts on FOS merchandise and ticketed events (at the door).  Open Thurs-Sun from noon to 4pm.

East Wall Repair Complete!

Just needs a coat of paint!  Volunteers?

Interior work is all painted and ready to move furniture!

Latest on Repair of East Wall

Dry rot and insect damage has been found in the east wall. The damage is currently being repaired and the estimate is under $4200. Siding and interior paneling has been made by Mick to match the original woodwork--tongue and groove. Looking good!

Exterior showing replaced siding and tar paper

Interior office wall showing rot

Handmade tongue and groove paneling

Back-to-School 1872

Here's a little back-to-school look back at history!

Repair of East Wall Currently Underway!

The east wall of Redmen Hall is being repaired by Leinweber Construction of Naselle.  The rot was not as extensive as first anticipated, but the supporting beam was needing to be replaced.  Photos show before and after.  If you've been considering a donation to the Redmen Hall building fund, now would be a really great time to do it!

Buy a Birdhouse - Put a Bell Back in the Tower!

2014 marks the 120th Anniversary of Redmen Hall.  The school was dedicated at a picnic on July 4, 1894.  To commemorate this event and to raise funds for a new bell in the bell tower, Redmen Hall is offering limited editions of hand-painted craft birdhouses for a minimum $10.00 sponsorship.  Help bring the "ring" back to Skamokawa!  Available at the Wahkiakum County Fair on Friday and Saturday and at Redmen Hall.

Final Weekend of Legacy of the Columbia River Fisheries Exhibit!

The last day to view the "Legacy of the Columbia River Fisheries" exhibit is Sunday, August 10.  After that, the exhibit will be traveling to WSU.  Along with the award-winning exhibit, artifacts from local collections are on display.  Don't miss out!  Visit Redmen Hall this weekend!

SAVE THE DATE! 2014 Annual Wine Tasting and Auction!

Our Annual Wine Tasting and Auction event will be held Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 6:30-10:00pm!  Tickets will go on sale next week at Redmen Hall, Bank of the Pacific, Skamokawa Resort Store, and Elochoman Marina.  Presale ticket prices are $25/couple and $15/single.  If purchased at the door, prices will be $30/couple and $20/single. 

This year, we will be offering rides on the Wahkiakum Trolley from Elochoman Marina (5:30pm) and Vista Park (6:00pm).  Round-trip tickets are $5.00.  Seating is limited, so get your tickets right away!

This is a can't-miss-it event!!!

Legacy of the Columbia River Fishery Exhibit Now Open!

On June 28th, Redmen Hall reopened with a gala celebration for its 120th Anniversary!  Board Vice President Pam Emery's thoughts on the opening weekend:

"We put the finishing touches on the Net portion of the exhibit just before the door opened, excited to share history of the Columbia River Fisheries.  Goodies, savory treats, punch and coffee greeted each visitor.  There was a steady stream of visitors (30 total) admiring the 14 panels of the “Legacy of the Columbia River Fishery” (mounted by Keith Hoofnagle and Jill Hatier) and a steady crowd to watch fisherman and expert net mender Kent Martin show how to mend a hole in a fishing net.  Precise measurement of mesh size  and handling of the net mending needle are extremely important. Kent said the first nets were linen and the women knitted them. The best linen was from Ireland and Scotland. 

Gary Emery demonstrated how to hang cork on a net and attach a net to a cork  line.  Both Kent and Gary learned the art of fishing, hanging and mending net as teenagers.  In fact, it was Kent who taught Gary! Included in the net history portion of the exhibit were a needle filling machine, different kinds of nets for fishing smelt, blue back, and salmon, various tools of the trade, gaff hook, kerosene running lights, mending needles, a stencil of Peacock Fishing Co. to label boxes, lead molds, and historic ledgers of fishing drift rights, buoy floatation kegs to mark the ends of nets, and several pictures of fishing over the decades. We hope you will plan to attend this “award winning” exhibit on now until August 10th. 

Contributors to the net mending and fishing antiques portion were: Kent Martin, Gary Emery, Gary Bergseng, Fred Ostling, and Greg Prestegard. All from fishing families."

The Legacy of the Columbia River Fishery exhibit will be at the Hall until August 10th.  The demonstration was for opening weekend only.  Come and see this wonderful exhibit before it travels to another location and to shop in the gift shop stocked with the wares of local artisans!

Kent Martin and Gary Emery

Local artifacts

Local artifacts

Local artifacts

Come to the Party! June 28

   "Friends of Skamokawa at Redmen Hall would like to welcome everyone   to our grand re-opening celebration on the weekend of June 28th and   29th. We will be celebrating the completion of our foundation   repairs, and as it turns out, the 120th year birthday of Redmen Hall. 

The Hall was dedicated to the community on the 4th of July in 1894 as the community school for Skamokawa.

Our festivities will  include an exhibit of flags from the history of the Hall, our famous  exhibit by Irene Martin and Keith Hoofnagle - "Legacy of the  Columbia River Fishery", a net-mending demonstration by Kent Martin  and Gary Emery, gill-netters whose families have been associated with  the Hall since its beginning.

 Members of the Martin and Emery families went to the  school in the early days, were members of the Improved Order of  Redmen in the building's next life and were involved in the  restoration of Redmen Hall as the current 'River Life Interpretive  Center'. We will have music and refreshments and the Hall will be  open from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th. 

We hope to see you all.

                            Friends of Skamokawa Board and Staff

p.s.- the Fisheries Exhibit will continue until August 10th."

Grand Reopening of Redmen Hall June 28!

Redmen Hall will be reopening on Saturday, June 28th from noon to 4pm!  The "Legacy of the Columbia River Fishery" exhibit will be on display, including two new frames and local artifacts.  From 1:30 to 2:30pm, there will also be a net-mending demonstration.  Refreshments will be served!

Redmen Hall will also be open on Sunday, June 29th from noon to 4pm.  The regular schedule will resume on Thursday, July 3rd--open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4pm--for the rest of the year.

Hope to see you there!

Work Party Saturday, June 14th - 10am to 3pm

We will be moving back into the offices and setting up the Hall on the 14th of June and will be open to the public on the last weekend of June. We need to clean up all of the accumulated dirt and dust and move everything back to normal. There will be a pot luck lunch at noon. Please bring food for 4-5 people and RSVP by phone or email if you can help on that day. 

Thank you for your continued support and patience!  You are all very much appreciated! 

PS  In addition, I am putting together a work party on the 12th and 13th of June to paint the offices.  If you would like to help, please let me know and I will send you more details about that project.

Join Friends of Skamokawa Today! Redmen Hall Needs YOU!

Membership benefits include 10% discount on FOS merchandise and ticketed events!

The Friends of Skamokawa at Redmen Hall are currently running a membership drive.  If you would like to join the membership, contribute toward the building renovation, or renew your membership, forms are available in Cathlamet at the library, Chamber of Commerce, Bank of the Pacific, Cathlamet Realty West, Lower Columbia Realty, and the post office.  In Skamokawa, forms may be found at the Skamokawa store, post office, and Appelo Archive center.  Also, a form is on page 13 of the 2014 Focus on Wahkiakum insert to the Wahkiakum County Eagle or printable from this site.

As you may know, the Hall is under renovation and will reopen the last weekend in June.  Join today and help support this historical gem!

Friends Of Skamokawa Present "Art By The Ages" at the Hotel Cathlamet

The Rock'n'Roll Congress Youth Group of Wahkiakum County present "Art By The Ages", their second annual fundraiser, art exhibit and sale sponsored by the Friends Of Skamokawa at Redmen Hall.

The event will open with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 3rd at the Hotel Cathlamet, 69 Main Street in Cathlamet, Washington.  The opening provides a good time to meet the artists, savor delicious food provided by Thyme Square Bistro and enjoy live entertainment.

The exhibit will run Thursday through Saturday, noon till 4, through June 7. 

Redmen Hall in Skamokawa is currently closed for repairs to its foundation.  Exhibits sponsored by the Friends will return to Redmen Hall when repairs are completed.

Rock and Roll Congress Exhibit in Cathlamet

An art exhibit with works from Wahkiakum High School art students will take place starting Saturday, May 3rd at our temporary exhibit space at the Cathlamet Hotel.

Winter Closing Extended

Due to necessary repairs, Redmen Hall is temporarily closed to the public. Exhibits are tentatively scheduled to take place for the time being in the lobby of the Hotel Cathlamet, 69 Main Street, Cathlamet, Washington.