New memorial library to open in Naselle

The Appelo Archive Center, operated by the Wahkiakum Community Foundation, will officially open the new C.A. and Agnes Appelo Memorial Library on February 1 with an Open House from 2-5 p.m. Located in the Appelo Plaze in Naselle at 1052 SR 4, the new library showcases the books collected by members of the Appelo family for over 60 years. The library has a collection of over 400 books to be used for research and browsing.

The book collection is located in the newly renovated library area behind the current Archive Center's main room which in time will be developed into a display area as a local museum for the communities from Grays River through Naselle. The library is named for C.A. and Agness Appelo who operated stores in several locations for decades. C.A. and his son, Carlton, were instrumental in bringing telephone service to the area and Carlton remains active with Wahkiakum West, the telephone company established by the Appelo family. Agnes worked in the stores and regularly traveled the logging trains to sell goods to the women in the camps. She visited each house and shared news with the women who lived in the camps, while taking orders for the next week's delivery. Her well known delivery basket is on display at the Center. She was an avid reader who collected books all her life.

Carlton Appelo has also collected books on history and civics for most of his 86 years. The library books will be available for research on local and national history, U.S. presidents and other topics as well. A desk is being set up for accessing Ancestry.com for visitors to research their family history. A full section with Finnish language books is also being set up in a conference room that will be available for meetings for community groups. Steve Puddicombe of Grays River is the library's "winter librarian" who is identifying, cataloging and arranging the books on their shelves.

A display of historic wedding dresses will also be on display at the event. The Open House will also provide an opportunity for visitors to buy copies of Donna Klint's newly published book on Naselle and the Grays River Valley, She will be present all afternoon for signing books as well. For more information, contact the Center at 360-484-7103.