06/ 09, 2008	Contact:	Patricia Cosgrove, Museum Director
For Immediate Release		(253) 288-7437

Four Exhibits Available for Rent from Auburn’s Historical Museum

Auburn, Wash. – The award-winning White River Valley Museum now offers four historic exhibits packaged to rent for one month or longer. The touring exhibits are “Best Friends: Vintage Photographs of Animals and Their People,” “The Interurban Revisited: Historical Photos of the Puget Sound Electric Railway,” “Passenger Trains of Puget Sound: 1900 to 1970” and “Horse Power: A Celebration of the Working Horse in Western Washington.”

Best Friends: Vintage Photographs of Animals and Their People
Museum director Patricia Cosgrove searched thousands of historic photographs from around Western Washington to create this artistic exhibit. Images depict the loving relationship between animals and their people during the Progressive Era (1880 – 1920). During this time, photography grew in popularity as a way to capture everyday living. People moved from farms and rural areas to the more industrial cities. This shift also brought a change in our relationship with animals, contributing to a tradition of uniquely expressive family photos that included our furry friends. Each image is framed and includes a notable quote, such as “Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful” by Ann Landers. Rental package includes 32 framed images, eight mounted murals with labels and sample promotional materials. Fee is $125 for the first month, $75 each additional month.

The Interurban Revisited: Historical Photos of the Puget Sound Electric Railway.
“Frequent, Fast, Safe Service” was the motto of Puget Sound’s mass-transit system from 1902 to 1928. The Puget Sound Electric Railway’s Interurban departed Auburn for Seattle every half hour. The ride was under an hour and cost about 25 cents. Local historian and author Warren Wing created this exhibit from his own collection of historic photographs. The images take you from Tacoma to Seattle, portraying the cars and their interiors, the scenery, stations, signals and the track unique to this electric railway. Rental package includes 43 historic framed images and the video “The Seattle Tacoma Interurban Railway” by Warren Wing. Fee is $300 for the first month, $150 each additional month.

Passenger Trains of Puget Sound: 1900 to 1970
This exhibit celebrates the railways that caused the growth of many towns in the Pacific Northwest before and during the rise of the automobile. “Passenger Trains” is a collection of historic photos from the days when everyone traveled by train, courtesy of local author, photographer and Burlington Northern retiree Jim Fredrickson. Many of the historic images displayed in the exhibit were taken by Fredrickson during his lengthy railroad career. Rental package includes nearly 50 historic photos, most framed and all labeled, and sample promotional materials. Fee is $300 for the first month, $150 each additional month.

Horse Power: A Celebration of the Working Horse in Western Washington
Historic images depict powerful horses at work throughout Western Washington before and during the rise of the railroad, including pulling coal carts from area mines, plowing farmland, and horse-drawn school buses, milk wagons and hearses. Photos were selected from among the best regional archives. “Horse Power” was created with guest curator Alayne Blickle. Rental package includes 37 historic mounted photographs with labels and sample promotional materials. Fee is $125 for the first month, $75 each additional month.

Call 253-288-7433 for more information about the White River Valley Museum’s touring exhibits. Borrowers are responsible for picking up and returning exhibits.


ABOUT THE WHITE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM
The White River Valley Museum is a partnership with the City of Auburn and combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors. Museum collections focus on local Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railroad.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and is located at 918 H St. SE in Auburn. Regular hours are noon – 4 p.m. Admission is free on Wednesdays. Call 253-288-7433 for event information.