• Featured Business
    • Around the House
    • Health Care
    • Local Retail Shops
    • Restaurants
    • Services
  • Everyday
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Aberdeen High School
    • Elma High School
    • Hoquiam High School Sports
    • Montesano High School Sports
    • North Beach High School Sports
    • Ocosta High School Sports
    • Wishkah Valley High School Sports
    • Rec League
  • Food & Art
  • History
  • LocalTalk
  • Activities
    • Adult
    • Family
    • Indoor
    • Outdoor
    • Kids
    • Kids
  • Event Calendar
    • Calendar
    • Add An Event
    • Event Articles
  • Tourism
    • 1. Winter
    • 2. Spring
    • 3. Summer
    • 4. Fall
  • Community Channels
    • Coffee Shop
    • Grays Harbor Transit
    • Hospital
    • Financial – Credit Union
    • Veterinary Services
  • COVID-19 Local Information
Search
Monday, April 19, 2021
  • About
    • Team
    • Media Partner
    • Company News
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • Advertising
    • Company News
  • Forums
GraysHarborTalk
  • Featured Business
    • AllAround the HouseHealth CareLocal Retail ShopsRestaurantsServices
      OlyOrtho Dr-Chowdhary-Lakeside

      OlyOrthos’ Newest Surgeon Brings Specialized Stroke and Neurological Care to South…

      Briotech Sanitizers Keep Teachers and Students Feeling Safe in the Classroom

      olyortho Dr-Wood-Lynessa-Sample-RN

      OlyOrtho Embraces Outpatient Surgery Trend Amid COVID-19 Adaptations

      Grays Harbor Hospital Cardiac-Rehabilitation-education

      Grays Harbor Community Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab Improves Your Heart’s Future

  • Everyday
    • Evergreen College-Summer-School-Video-Production

      Explore Something New with The Evergreen State College’s Summer School Programs

      Aberdeen-Timberland-Library-Redesign-Concept

      Aberdeen Timberland Library Looks to Create a Modern and Functional Remodel…

      Evergreen-Masters in Enivronmental studies Beach

      The Evergreen State College Helps Students Build Their Path to Success…

      Evergreen College Paths of Study-Mushroom-Hunt

      The Evergreen State College Helps You Plan Your Educational Journey with…

      point defiance park

      How to Maintain Your 2021 New Year’s Resolutions in Grays Harbor

  • Sports
    • AllHigh School SportsAberdeen High SchoolElma High SchoolHoquiam High School SportsMontesano High School SportsNorth Beach High School SportsOcosta High School SportsWishkah Valley High School SportsRec League
      Sweet-Life-MX-partnership-cbd-david-lando

      Motocross Athletes Aim for the Sweet Life

      Hoquiam high school maddie-german-1

      Hoquiam High School Grad Maddie German Heading to Everett for Softball

      Janessa-Otterstetter-Montesano-1

      Montesano Grad Janessa Otterstetter to Be Dual Sport Athlete at Wenatchee…

      Aberdeen Annika-Eisele-PLU-swimming 3

      Aberdeen’s Annika Eisele to swim at Pacific Lutheran University

  • Food & Art
    • Sky-Island-Farm-Weekly-CSA-Delivery

      Sky Island Farm Delivers Organically-Grown, Freshly-Picked Produce Right To Your Doorstepv

      Westhaven-Wines-Wesport-Wine-Case

      Westhaven Wines Brings Fresh Pours To Westport

      where to get burgers grays harbor Gray-Goat

      Where to Grab a Burger in Grays Harbor

      Thriftway-Deli-Ivars-Soup

      Tired of Cooking? Let Thriftway Do It For You

      grays habor vintage Molly-Ehmer-Overalls

      Stitch by Stitch, Molly Ehmer Infuses New Life into Vintage Textiles…

  • History
    • Serial Killer or Working-Class Hero? Dr. Aaron Going’s Book, ‘The Port…

      Hoquiam river 1

      Discover Hoquiam River History

      Polson-Museum-Hometown-Teams-Boxing-Gloves

      The Smithsonian Institution Hometown Teams Traveling Exhibition Inspires Harborites To Discover…

      Kestner Homestead

      Historical Homesteads of Grays Harbor

      Grays Harbor County Fair Charlie Daniels

      A Quick History of Grays Harbor County Fair Entertainers

  • LocalTalk
    • adopt a pet dog of the week Maurice

      Adopt-A-Pet Dog of the Week: Maurice

      westport winery True Blue

      Westport Winery Top Winner at Savor NW 4

      Adopt a Pet dog of the week Romey

      Adopt-A-Pet Dog of the Week: Romey

      sunset viewing

      Inslee Updates Healthy Washington Criteria for County Phases

      Stormans Community Service Award 2021

      Stormans Honored with 2020-21 WFIA Community Service Award

  • Activities
    • AllAdultFamilyIndoorOutdoorKids
      Aberdeen-Dog-Park-Garley-Park-large-dog-section

      Aberdeen’s First Dog Park is Now Open To the Community

      Harborena-roller-rink-grays harbor-lights-on-floor

      The Harborena Roller Skate Rink in Grays Harbor Overcomes Major Hurdles…

      Day trip Waterfalls Olympic Peninsula-Cascade-Falls

      Where To See Waterfalls On The Olympic Peninsula

      Aberdeen Sam Ben Disc Golf Course

      21 Things To Do in Grays Harbor in 2021

    • Kids
  • Event Calendar
    • Calendar
    • Add An Event
    • Event Articles
  • Tourism
    • All1. Winter2. Spring3. Summer4. Fall

      How To Dig for Razor Clams in Grays Harbor

      Where-to-go-Beachcombing-in-Winter-in-Grays-Harbor-Shells-and-sand-dollars

      Where to go Beachcombing in Winter in Grays Harbor

      twin bridges county park

      Grays Harbor County Parks

      Where to Eat in McCleary

  • Community Channels
    • Coffee Shop
    • Grays Harbor Transit
    • Hospital
    • Financial – Credit Union
    • Veterinary Services
  • COVID-19 Local Information
Home Non-Profits Local History in Youthful Hands at the Polson Museum

Local History in Youthful Hands at the Polson Museum

By
Chelsea Royer
Facebook159Tweet0Pin0

 

By Chelsea Royer

grays harbor community hospitalIn a generation where parents struggle to distract their teens’ attention from video games and cell phones, it seems John Larson, Director of the Polson Museum, has discovered the solution: replace the phone with a power tool, shovel, or hammer.

polson museum
The Polson Logging Company’s #45 locomotive is now settled into its new home. Polson Museum Director, John Larson is looking forward to restoring this historic icon. Neil, who poses next to John, is excited to learn new skills through engine restoration.

Tobias Vincent was John’s first regular recruit. After showing up every Wednesday to help out around the Hoquiam museum, he began dragging friends along. Turns out the hands-on work at the Polson Museum is contagious. The group now hosts four regular volunteers – all of whom show up on Wednesday afternoons. “I liked it from the first day,” says Tobias. “I really enjoy all of the practical experience I get.”

Neil Hardee, Nick Barclay, and Anna Vincent complete the pack of four who John has nicknamed “the human bulldozers.”

“We do whatever John tells us to do,” chuckles Neil Hardee, who has been a volunteer since the beginning of this year. Oddly enough, some of the group’s favorite projects have been the most intensive. “Learning how to build a gravel road was the project that was the most fun,” says Tobias, referring to the giant ramp built to accommodate the Museum’s train engine. “I liked building the ramp and putting tracks together.”

“The kids learn things I think everyone should know how to do,” says John. “If you aren’t exposed to those skills at a young age, I think you miss out. The kids learn how to swing a hammer, shovel things, run the lawnmower, use a weed whacker, split logs, and operate other gas-powered machinery. We get lots of high school students volunteering to fulfill community service requirements, but none of them have stuck around like this group has.”

Unanimously, the highlight of volunteering for this group has been preparing for the arrival of the Polson Logging Company’s #45 Locomotive. They spent hours hauling dirt and rock to build a ramp for the locomotive, pulling up flooring, removing nails, building a train track, and even travelling to Oregon in order to help bring the locomotive home.

polson museum
Anna and Tobias work on ripping up the floor boards to make way for what is now the engine platform and rail. Photo credit: John Larson.

Nick Barclay, who completed a three month internship with Tobias at the museum, says, “My favorite project has been the train. Bringing it back to the museum was awesome. It was like bringing a piece of Grays Harbor back home. I’m excited to help restore the engine – it’ll be a long process, but so cool to see it start being restored.”

The day the train arrived, the group was at the museum before 8:00 a.m., ready to work alongside adult volunteers, doing whatever John commissioned them to do. “It was pretty amazing after months of prep work to see it arrive,” says John. As part of their internship, Nick and Tobias joined John in his trip down to Oregon to retrieve the locomotive. They both performed key elements in the prep work for the locomotive. Their internship added up to a total 60 hours over the course of ten weeks.

Nick, who is 17, is thinking of becoming a carpenter. Many things he’s learned from John are directly applicable to his trade as every week he works with his hands. “John has taught us a lot about history, building train tracks and lots about railroads,” says Nick.

polson museum
What is hard labor to most people is fun for these kids. Nick, Anna, and Neil spread many scoops of rock and gravel to form a ramp before the Polson locomotive arrives. Photo credit: John Larson.

The youngest member of the group, Anna, is Tobias’ little sister. At twelve years old, she displays remarkable competency while keeping up with her brother and friends. “It’s not bad being the only girl,” says Anna. “I really don’t care. They’ve all been my friends forever and I have a lot of fun.” Learning to chop wood has been Anna’s favorite experience and collectively, the group has affectionately named the hydraulic wood-splitter, “Adele.” “The best thing I learned from John, may seem odd but I thought was super interesting,” adds Anna.  “He taught me how to tell the height of a tree. He’s also taught me a lot about Hoquiam history, the museum and the story behind it.” When asked if she planned on sticking around for a while, Anna answered emphatically, “Oh yes.”

Perhaps the community is also another draw for this group of teens. “It’s been fun doing all these things with friends,” says Tobias. “My sister is a friend as are the others and it is fun to do things with people you know. I’d recommend anybody to volunteer for any reason. John is a great guy and I know no better boss out there.”

polson museum
Tobias Vincent was John’s first recruit out of the group. He has been eagerly encouraging friends to join and is the reason why the other three teens show up to volunteer each week. Photo credit: John Larson.

There is always a lot to accomplish at the Polson Museum. Between volunteers young and old, and the dedication of John Larson, the property stays in beautiful condition, with new history being collected and restored. The teens will now have a new lesson to learn: how to restore a rusty locomotive.

Polson Museum

1611 Riverside Ave in Hoquiam

360-533-5862

www.polsonmuseum.org

 

Print Friendly
Facebook159Tweet0Pin0
Previous articleTake a Cruise on the Lady Washington
Next articlePort of Grays Harbor and Satsop Business Park Announce Summer Public Tour Dates
Chelsea Royer

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

coastal-community-action-program-armory-fire-devastation

Out of the Ashes of the Armory Fire, Coastal Community Action Program Rebuilds Stronger Than Ever

North Beach Hunger-Action-Team HAT-Team-Delivery

Chapel By The Sea’s Hunger Action Team Feeds North Beach

Grays-Harbor-Pottery-Guild-Evelyn-Cheung

The Newly-Founded Grays Harbor Potters Guild Invites You to Come and Play with Clay

Upcoming Events

Apr
19
Mon
7:00 pm Elma City Council Meeting @ Elma City Hall
Elma City Council Meeting @ Elma City Hall
Apr 19 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
 
Apr
21
Wed
10:30 am Family Storytime @ Elma Timberland Regional Library
Family Storytime @ Elma Timberland Regional Library
Apr 21 @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
This engaging program includes rich stories, rhymes, songs, and movement games for the whole family! All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Apr
24
Sat
1:00 pm Saturday Matinee @ McCleary Timberland Library
Saturday Matinee @ McCleary Timberland Library
Apr 24 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join us each Saturday for movies at the library on the big screen. Bring a comfy pillow and bottled water. Popcorn will be provided. Call or stop in for this month’s titles. For all ages.
Apr
28
Wed
10:00 am DigiMarCon At Home 2021 – Digita... @ Live and On Demand
DigiMarCon At Home 2021 – Digita... @ Live and On Demand
Apr 28 @ 10:00 am – Apr 29 @ 3:00 pm
DigiMarCon At Home 2021 - Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference @ Live and On Demand
DigiMarCon At Home 2021 is your chance to … – Hear from some of the most audacious and thought provoking speakers in the digital marketing, media and advertising industry. – Gain insight into emerging strategies,[...]
10:30 am Family Storytime @ Elma Timberland Regional Library
Family Storytime @ Elma Timberland Regional Library
Apr 28 @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
This engaging program includes rich stories, rhymes, songs, and movement games for the whole family! All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
View Calendar

Local Community Sponsors

STAY CONNECTED

13,753FansLike
970FollowersFollow

Business

OlyOrtho Dr-Chowdhary-Lakeside

OlyOrthos’ Newest Surgeon Brings Specialized Stroke and Neurological Care to South...

If neurosurgeons are rare enough that their specialty is comparable to rocket science, then endovascular neurosurgeons are even more uncommon. This subspecialty uses catheters...

Briotech Sanitizers Keep Teachers and Students Feeling Safe in the Classroom

olyortho Dr-Wood-Lynessa-Sample-RN

OlyOrtho Embraces Outpatient Surgery Trend Amid COVID-19 Adaptations

Trending Now

tide pools beach

Four Impressive Tide Pool Beaches on the Olympic Peninsula

Aberdeen Sam Ben Disc Golf Course

21 Things To Do in Grays Harbor in 2021

Aberdeen-Dog-Park-Garley-Park-large-dog-section

Aberdeen’s First Dog Park is Now Open To the Community

Editor Picks

Aberdeen-Dog-Park-Garley-Park-large-dog-section

Aberdeen’s First Dog Park is Now Open To the Community

Serial Killer or Working-Class Hero? Dr. Aaron Going’s Book, ‘The Port...

Grays Harbor Drug Jermaine-Galloway-Grays-Harbor-County-drug-education

March 23 Get Drug Education from the Top Tall Cop

Recent Posts

  • Adopt-A-Pet Dog of the Week: Maurice
  • Westport Winery Top Winner at Savor NW 4
  • Adopt-A-Pet Dog of the Week: Romey
  • Inslee Updates Healthy Washington Criteria for County Phases
  • Aberdeen’s First Dog Park is Now Open To the Community
ABOUT US
GraysHarborTalk is a community social network delivering positive stories about what it’s like to live, work and play in Grays Harbor County, including Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Montesano, Elma, Ocean Shores, Westport and the surrounding area. Advertise with GraysHarborTalk. Brand your business and tell your story to your target market.
Contact us: info@graysharbortalk.com
FOLLOW US
  • About
    • Team
    • Media Partner
    • Company News
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • Advertising
    • Company News
  • Forums
© GraysHarborTalk, Inc.
Edit with Live CSS
Save
Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete.