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By Jerry Bowman

Curator, Northwest Carriage Museum

Raymond

For those of you who have visited the Northwest Carriage Museum over the past years, you are already aware of our fabulous collection of 19th century horse drawn vehicles and artifacts. Our collection has grown into one of the finest in the country and we are proud to have become the largest year around tourist attraction in Pacific County.

At this time of year, we would normally be getting ready for another successful tourist season, bringing some 10,000 visitors to our area. These visitors not only come to see our historic collection, but, also eat in our local restaurants, buy our local gas, restock their coolers or RVs in our local stores and visit our other local tourist attractions. Unfortunately, this is not happening due to the Covid 19 virus.

Like others, we have been mandated to shut our doors and like others, we are hurting. Visitors are non existent, tours have been cancelled, speaking engagements are not happening and gift shop sales have plummeted. Thus far, we have been able to pay our part time staff and pay our bills. This will become more difficult as the shut down continues. We are applying for government backed small business loans but, because of the volume, responses have not been timely. Our goal of keeping history alive is becoming more difficult every day. We hope it does not become impossible.

At some time in the future, when we get through this crisis, we hope all businesses can return to normal, visitors start traveling again and our parking lot once again becomes full. In the meantime, the Northwest Carriage Museum encourages all people to try to support all local businesses in this time of need. If you can, order take out from our local restaurants, buy some supplies from local stores and businesses and consider making a donation to local non profits including museums. This would be a perfect time to become a museum member or gift a membership to a friend or family member. Maybe buy some admission passes or even just make a donation. Like other businesses, museums need your help right now too. Please help in anyway you can. Thanks.

Please be safe and stay healthy!

Keep history alive … see you at the museum soon.