Volunteers make progress on Pioneer Village roof restoration as winter approaches

CASHMERE – Volunteers completed six days of work parties to reroof the historic buildings of Cashmere Museum’s Pioneer Village on Oct. 27.

During a rainy clean up day this spring, volunteers discovered the General Store had a major roof leak, compromising the artifacts within it. The leak prompted the identification of two other buildings needing reroofing, the Barber Shop and the Saloon.

“We are such a visual society, and especially the younger generations, to actually come and see these in existence, these cabins, and to connect with them and be able to relate in a tactile type of way, [it] can't be learned through a book…To come in here and step into it is really unique,” said Colleen Malmassari.

The reroofing project was initiated by Malmassari, museum volunteer and great-great granddaughter of Archie Smith, whose original cabin was the General Store. The project raised just under $10,000 from community donations, slightly above the original goal of $8,000.

“I'm glad we raised just short of 10, because materials are more expensive than we anticipated. Just the materials took nearly all of that donated money, and so that's one of the reasons why we've been doing the work parties,” said Malmassari.

The General Store and Barber Shop were reinforced with modern roofing materials, then overlaid with cedar shake, which will weather in time to look like the original historic roof.

About 20 total volunteers took part in the reroofing project, in addition to in kind donations such as a forklift from Curb Appeal Landscape Supply and tools from Eastside Rebuild.

“This is the exact reason we have the tool library. As a fellow nonprofit, the museum does so much for the community and preserving history…We wanted to be part of that. Our whole mission and our values really guide us towards giving back to the community and offering tools that are really affordable or free of cost to those who need them,” said Eastside Rebuild Tool Library and Marketing Manager Beryl Bils.

The Saloon roof, which has a steeper pitch, will likely get tarped over winter until it can be reroofed next spring, said Malmassari.

While the reroofing project addressed immediate concerns for the General Store and Barber Shop, the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village have a need for ongoing support. The museum is considering hiring a professional to complete the work on the steeper roof, which will require more fundraising. Additionally, Museum Director Nicky Clennon noted that the historic site requires sustained funding and more volunteers in order to address the ongoing maintenance needs.

“When the museum was first built, the project started in 1957, there were 600 people from the community that came together to build the museum and contribute funds and materials. At the time, that was about a third of the town. So it really was built by the community, for the community, and we're hoping to get back there with community buy-in,” said Clennon.

Donations can be made on the museum website: cashmeremuseum.org. Those looking to support the reroofing project specifically can make a note in the donation.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media