Museum, library partnering for a free fairy tale

SANDPOINT — The Bonner County History Museum is full of local treasures, as one young man recently discovered as he browsed the latest exhibit, "Once Upon a Time in Bonner County."

It was during one of the museum's "Movie in the Park" nights when the man stopped in. As he passed by the Cinderella display, something familiar caught his eye. He asked museum curator Heather Upton who the sewing notion set belonged to and when she told him, he replied, "That was my grandmother." He even recognized the thread she once used to mend his teddy bear, Upton said.

"It just gave me goosebumps and filled me with so much joy," Upton said. "It was such a powerful moment."

In another instance regarding the same display, Helen (Method) Newton, who donated the blue dress, was in the midst of a tour group Upton hosted.

"It was so much fun to share the story about the dress ... and then she got to add a little more of her personal experience," Upton said.

The dress comes with a true Cinderella story as Newton searched for the perfect dress to wear to the Sandpoint High School senior ball in 1958.

Ordinarily, she would have sewn her own, but not this time. After convincing the merchant to let her pay for it over time — she only had $20 on hand — the blue gown was hers. She wore it to the ball where she and Skip Newton were crowned prince and princess, and the couple lived happily ever after.

The fairy tale themed exhibit includes Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast, Rumpelstiltskin, Thumbelina, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Princess and the Pea, and Pinocchio.

Each item in the exhibit was treasured by someone or linked to a moment in Bonner County's history in some way. On average, the museum receives one new historical donation each day. All of the items in the exhibit are from the collection, save a few items created by the Sandpoint High School welding class or on loan from museum supporters.

Upton said the exhibit has had a real impact on the community, such as the stories of the young man finding the sewing notion set and Newton recalling her tale. Others have told her "this is really something," thanking Upton for bringing the stories to Bonner County.

"It's really been a treat to see the reaction from everybody," Upton said.

Upton said she is working on a new exhibit, but would not reveal the details quite yet. In the meantime, the museum is partnering with the East Bonner County Library District to expand on the "Once Upon a Time in Bonner County" exhibit.

This Saturday is the museum's "First Free Saturday," and Suzanne Davis, children's services librarian, will be on-site for a Fairy Tale Story Time.

The museum’s "First Free Saturday" is the perfect time, and possibly one of the last, to enjoy the exhibit because it will be changing after the first of the year. Museum coordinator Cassi Marler suggested people take advantage of the opportunity to experience the groundbreaking exhibit for free, thanks to this month’s sponsor Marilyn Sabella.

"At the museum we love partnerships and we are so excited to be teaming up with the library to highlight our magical exhibit," Marler said in a statement.

Bring the family to experience the exhibit, hear magical fairy tales and enjoy complimentary cookies and punch. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and story time is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.