The Kamas Valley now has their own history museum. The tiny museum had its grand opening celebration Memorial Day.
In less than a year, the Kamas Valley History Group converted a vintage trailer to home the museum.
The group raised the money to buy the gutted 1978 Layton Trailer during a Labor Day garage sale. They renovated it - adding floors and stands and uprights for displays.
Chair of the group Deborah Lambert said they considered a brick and mortar museum but didn’t have any connections to make that happen.
"So someone suggested a mobile or a trailer of some kind and it just took off within, I would say, days after it was even mentioned," Lambert said.
Because the museum is mobile, the historical group will be able to take it to different events, but secretary Kate Wynn said they are still looking for a semi-permanent home for it.
"We're talking to the local library about possibly having it out there when the seniors are in the Senior Center, and maybe parking it somewhere in Kamas on certain days, so people can come and visit," Wynn said.
The museum opened Monday afternoon. To commemorate Memorial Day, it has an exhibit focused on veterans. Locals loaned historical memorabilia and exhibits feature images and stories of historical local military records.
Lambert said they hope to have rotating exhibits to focus on future holidays.
"Fourth of July, we will talk about the Oakley pioneers ... Kamas Fiesta Day is on the 24th of July, we will also focus very specifically on the settlers of Kamas Valley,: she said. "And then whatever event we go to, we'll focus on that area and change it up to suit where we are at."
The grand opening of the museum kicked off with a ribbon cutting by the three mayors in the valley from Francis, Kamas and Oakley.