Remnants of the Past at Stella Historical Museum set for Sept. 9

On Saturday, September 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Stella Historical Society will present "Remnants of the Past" at the Stella Historical Museum. The public is invited to take a step back in time and join the experienced docents as they share the history of Stella in its early days. Activities and pioneer games will be ongoing for children and adults. While admission is free, a suggested donation is Adults, $3; Children 5-12, $.50; and Under 5 free, so they can maintain the buildings and artifacts.

Stella, located on the Washington side of the Columbia River at the mouth of Germany Creek, is a small community that sprang up during the 1870's to provide cordwood for the steamboats and assemble log-rafts that hauled over 5 million board feet of logs to the Pacific and Portland.

You will see the original post office, its mail delivered by steam or sailing ships, to farmers, loggers and fisherman who lived in the area. Inside are items the pioneers used.

The original blacksmith shop, built in 1907, will have a local blacksmith making items on one of the last working forges in Washington State. You also will see children's toys and dishes found at logging camps, old school desks and an old school bell that children can ring, and a still for making homebrew. A third building houses old farm equipment, a thrashing machine, grain grinder, potato planter, and much more.

A short drive up Germany Creek road to the Stella Chapel, you will find a continuation of historic pictures and artifacts, live music, a farmers market, bake sale, raffle, and Stella dogs, chili, bumbleberry cobbler, coffee, and pop for purchase.

The Stella Historical Museum is located at 8530 Ocean Beach Highway, 10 miles west of Longview on SR4.