What do you collect?
That’s what the folks at Cheney’s Historical Museum would like to know. Just as importantly, why do you collect these items, and would you be willing to share that story and collection with the rest of the community?
“What We Collect” is the title of this summer’s museum exhibit, and Cheney Historical Museum director Joan Mamanakis is hoping to gather a good sampling of treasures from community members by the end of April. The idea for the exhibit came about as museum volunteers were storing some items gathered from former women of the Tillicum Club, a local women’s community organization that existed through the 1960s.
Mamanakis said club members often would show off various collections they had at local craft fairs and other events.
“We thought, ‘wouldn’t that be fun,’” she said of the idea for an exhibit of collections. “Find out what kind of stuff people in Cheney collect and why.”
So, what type of collections is the museum looking for? Mamanakis said they want the exhibit to be for a “family audience,” so while interesting, a collection of firearms might not be appropriate. What would be interesting would be a collection of political buttons, fishing lures, stamps, salt and pepper shakers or any other usual and unusual items.
Mamanakis said so far she has been contacted by a woman who collects aprons, and “a fellow who has what looks like a pretty cool Mickey Mouse collection.” The museum has several collections of items such as cameras and greeting cards, although Mamanakis said she knows of a local woman who has a collection of cards that would make the museum’s “look tiny.”
The museum is hoping to have enough collections to run the exhibit from May through September, and if possible, have many of those collections run the entire length. Space has been cleared on the museum’s floor, and Mamanakis said more regular exhibits can be moved to create additional space.
“We’ll take some regular displays out, which will force us to put new stuff in that we’ve been thinking of rotating,” she added.
People who bring their exhibits in should also provide a little background on how they came about collecting those items. Mamanakis said one woman who contacted her told her she wasn’t really a collector, it’s just that people “keep giving her specific things.”
People interested in contributing a collection can contact Mamanakis at (509) 850-0447 or via email at director@cheneymuseum.org, and tell what they have so that display needs can be worked out.
As far as she knows, Cheney’s exhibit might be a first for local museums.
“Some museums have done displays where they’ve brought out odd stuff,” she said. “This seems like a fun thing — find out how people got into collecting.”
Mamanakis also said that volunteers are needed to help staff the museum this summer. The museum has generally had summer hours of 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, and Mamanakis said she is confident they have enough manpower to staff these hours at least Friday and Saturday.
“So if interested in volunteering at ‘your museum,’ call me,” Mamanakis sai.
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
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