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Artifacts up for adoption

| September 29, 2018 1:00 AM

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(Courtesy photo)This Class B uniform was worn by Ralph Burk, who was part of the tank division in Europe and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. The uniform consists of an Olive Drab side cap or fur-felt M1911 Campaign hat, an olive-drab wool spread-collared shirt worn with a black worsted wool tie, Olive Drab wool trousers, and russet-brown leather Type II (rubber-soled) service shoes.

The Bonner County History Museum is excited to announce its newest fundraiser, “Adopt an Artifact.”

Each item in the museum’s collection has its own curious story — whether it’s a Native American headdress, or a wartime air raid siren, said the museum’s Olivia Luther. These artifacts were created, traveled through different owners and places, witnessed important events in history, and eventually ended up at the Bonner County History Museum, where they started a new life.

The museum is now offering area residents a unique chance to help it continue to preserve history by choosing to adopt one of its fascinating artifacts, and become part of the story themselves.

The museum’s adoptable list of items is live and located on our website at bonnercountyhistory.org under the “support” tab. Adoption costs just $20 a year, and is the perfect way to help preserve the area’s local heritage for future generations.

“Adoption would also make a unique gift for a loved one,” Luther said in the press release. “All proceeds go to the Bonner County History Museum to help us preserve not only your adopted item, but all of our rich collection of over 1,000,000 artifacts through conservation and storage.”

Conservation work ranges from simple repairs to cleaning, treatment and the provision of protective boxes for vulnerable items. To show the museum’s appreciation, adopters will receive a special adoption e-certificate with an image and history of your object, free visits to the museum all year, and their name credited on the museum’s website and on the label when the object is on display.

“If you don’t see an object that appeals to you, contact the museum and we will help you with a custom adoption,” Luther said.

Founded in 1972, the Bonner County History Museum has been collecting and preserving the Bonner County region’s significant stories for over 40 years. The museum is located in view of Lake Pend Oreille in beautiful Lakeview Park. The park has many amenities including picnic areas, a playground, tennis courts, and the Native Plant Society arboretum. Adjacent to Lakeview Park is Memorial Field which has a boat launch and is home to the Festival at Sandpoint every August.

The Bonner County History Museum is a private, non-profit educational organization (I.R.S. 501 (c) 3).

The museum is a membership organization, open to all. It operates thanks to community support, membership fees, gifts, retail sales and donations, and grants from private foundations

The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;. Admission is $4, adults; $3, seniors; $1, 6-18 years; and free for members and children under 6. On the first Saturday of each month, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free admission for all.