Left to right: Ivar Godtlibsen, Gayle Godtlibsen, Karen Johnson, Richard Johnson. Photo courtesy Washougal School District

By working together, the local museum and school are helping students connect with Washougal’s local history

This year, students at Washougal High School have the opportunity to view a historical kitchen gadgets display, curated by Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Washougal, at the school library through June 14. By working together, the local museum and school are helping students connect with Washougal’s local history. Students can view cooking tools from the past like an early electric toaster, a vintage mincer, and Depression era glass cups.

Gayle and Ivar Godtlibsen, volunteers at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum, have been sharing their passion for local history with students at Washougal High School through a series of displays. Photo courtesy Washougal School District

For students in Washougal High School’s hands-on culinary arts program, some of the historical cooking tools look familiar. “The mortar and pestle that we used in class to grind spices is really old but still relevant,” said Silas Ellsworth, student in the culinary arts program at Washougal High School.

Depression era glass on loan from Two Rivers Heritage Museum, now on display at Washougal High School. Photo courtesy Washougal School District

This partnership was made possible thanks to Two Rivers Museum volunteer docents Gayle and Ivar Godtlibsen, along with Washougal High School Library Media Instructor Barb Seaman. “Some of these antique cooking gadgets are items that students’ grandparents probably used,” said Gayle Godtlibsen. “We hope to spark an interest in history and let students see firsthand what our museum has to offer.”

Early electric toaster on loan from Two Rivers Heritage Museum, now on display at Washougal High School. Photo courtesy Washougal School District

“Students get to see items that people made and used almost 100 years ago in Washougal right here in the library. This helps to expose young people to things and ideas that they may otherwise never have a chance to experience,” said Seaman.

Gayle Godtlibsen, volunteer at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum, prepares a historical display for students at Washougal High School. Photo courtesy Washougal School District

Washougal High School has partnered with the museum to bring two more historical displays to the library in fall and winter this school year. This winter, the mobile museum display featured communication devices throughout history, from morse code to iPhones, at the high school. Another display in fall 2023 featured a sampling of Indigenous pieces, both historical and contemporary, associated with local Indigenous peoples including the Cowlitz, Klickitat, Quinault, Salish, Chinook, and Makah.

This partnership with Two Rivers Heritage Museum is one example of how volunteers support many student programs across Washougal School District. Parent and community volunteers help make great things happen in Washougal schools, from supporting events and coordinating educational activities to helping a teacher in the classroom. Learn more on the WSD volunteer webpage. Background check is required.

Information provided by the Washougal School District.

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