Skamokawa

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Skamokawa, Wa. - Covered Bridges: Spanning the American Landscape, an exhibit produced by the Smithsonian Institution, will appear at the River Life Interpretive Center, Skamokawa, Washington, from October 4 through November 30, 2008. The event is hosted by the Friends of Skamokawa Foundation, a group dedicated to preservation of the history of the lower Columbia River region and particularly the Skamokawa National Historic District. The grand opening is Saturday October 11, 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

"It is unusual for a small organization such as ours to be able to host an exhibit of this quality. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we are able to bring this exhibit to an area which has the oldest covered bridge left in use in Washington State, the Grays River Covered Bridge," said Irene Martin, Historian and Archivist for the Friends of Skamokawa.

The exhibit pulls together photographs, structural drawings, stories about the people and communities who built these bridges, advertisements and documents from bridge building companies and bridge models. An added feature to the Smithsonian exhibit is an accompanying exhibit on the Grays River bridge, presented by the Appelo Archives at the River Life Interpretive Center. Built in 1906, the Grays River Covered Bridge is an icon in the region and the state and is a ten minute drive from the Interpretive Center.

Sponsors and donors include The Kinsman Foundation, Wahkiakum Community Foundation (Covered Bridge Fund), Humanities Washington, Grays River Grange, Shorebank, Skamokawa Landing Inc., Wahkiakum West, Phil and Anita Raistakka, and Dr. Seale.

The River Life Interpretive Center is open Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. It is located at 1394 State Route Four West, Skamokawa, Wa. 98647. For further information, please contact the Friends of Skamokawa Foundation, 360-795-3007; or Irene Martin, 360-795-3920

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