Preserving The Story Of The Falls

Kettle Falls Historical Center Brings the Past Alive

By Liv Stecker

The Grand Coulee Dam stopped the flow of the Columbia River in March of 1940. As the waters of Lake Roosevelt began to rise, members of the Colville Indian tribe scrambled to relocate remains from their sacred burial grounds and move thousands of years of cultural history out of harm's way before it was lost forever under water. The dam was an economic boost to the struggling farmlands of central Washington that carried an undocumented cost to the Native American culture and ecology along the Upper Columbia. The job market flourished and a future for wheat farmers statewide was secured but countless tiny towns and historical sites were drowned by the flood of progress. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Lake Roosevelt was drawn down to accommodate the construction of a third powerhouse on Grand Coulee Dam. In 1969, the waters were low enough to expose the once powerful Kettle Falls. Anthropologist David Chance, from the University of Idaho, seized this opportunity to conduct excavations around the old falls, on a mission to recover pieces of history lost in the lake.

 

As Chance dug up layers of the 9000-year-old story of Kettle Falls, the seed of an idea took root. A handful of local Kettle Falls residents, including the granddaughter of the last "Salmon Chief" of the Kettle Falls salmon runs, realized that they had an opportunity to document the culture and history that had been buried under 380 feet of water. In the mid 1970s, Rowena Macintosh, Darrell Shute, Bill Brauner and Eileen Weatherman formed a committee to develop a Historical Center for the culturally rich Kettle Falls area. As the idea took shape, Washington Water Power (now Avista Utilities) donated 6 acres of land above the river to the Historical Center.

The property was adjacent to the historical site of Fort Colville, operated by Hudson's Bay Company in the early 1800s and the St. Paul Mission, established near the falls in 1845. Prior to European contact, the falls served as a culturally important gathering place that was quickly capitalized on by the emerging fur trade. From pre-history until the powerful falls were inundated in the 1940 flooding of Lake Roosevelt, there was an unceasing stream of commerce and community celebration in the area of Kettle Falls.

The mission of the Kettle Falls Historical Center is "to preserve the history of 9000 years of habitation." The volunteers and board members seek to fulfill this by putting on display the people and the culture surrounding the falls, and to educate the community. Board president Steve Schott says that Kettle Falls once was "one of the richest, and most generous environments on earth." Before salmon harvesting would begin, Native Americans had thanksgiving feasts while the fish moved by, until the salmon chief gave the nod to begin. This conservation practice was maintained for generations, allowing for the healthy maintenance of salmon populations in the Upper Columbia, a vital dietary staple of numerous regional tribes.

David Chance's excavations instigated a movement by local residents that resulted in a dedicated group of people who volunteer tirelessly to preserve area history and educate visitors and upcoming generations. The Center opened in 1984, in a building constructed entirely using donated materials and volunteer labor. Open from May 15 - September 15 every year, it is still staffed entirely by volunteers and funded through donations, fundraisers and membership fees. Members of the Kettle Falls Historical Center pay $15 for individuals and $20 for a family membership, which includes unlimited entrance to the Center, 10% off of purchases at the Shop at the Falls, the Center gift shop, and a newsletter subscription.

Each spring, the Center holds an art and writing contest for local students. The theme for the writing contest this year is "Means of Transportation Before 1900", and the art contest has different divisions for the mediums of painting, photography and more. The winning students are awarded cash prizes, and the art and writing is featured on display for the first two weeks that the Center is open in the spring. The entire month of June will feature a community art show, featuring local artists of all varieties on display. In July the Center will showcase Native American Art and Culture. Membership in the Historical Center means access to all of these unique displays and a chance to learn more about our culturally rich area.

The "Shop At The Falls" gift shop inside the Historical Center

On Saturday, April 18th, the Kettle Falls Historical Center will be holding their annual fundraising auction on site at the museum starting at 10 AM. Local businesses and individuals donated over 100 auction items and gift certificates. All proceeds go to the upkeep and development of the Center. The opening day event this year for the Historical Center is Saturday, May 16^th.

A pine dugout canoe crafted on site at the museum

With the exception of last year, the Center has conducted the auction and the writing and art contest. Due to unforeseen circumstances involving the board of directors and the volunteers, a series of losses due to illness and life circumstances set the Center back on it's heels and unable to staff certain events and days at the museum. New volunteers are beginning to step up, but the need for fresh faces and new eyes on the project is vital for the long-term survival of the Historical Center. Donations and community involvement are the critical piece to ensuring the continuation of the museum and the work that goes on there. The museum opens May 15^th for the 2015 season. To become a member, swing by between the hours of 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

You can find more information at The Kettle Falls Historical Center website: https://sites.google.com/site/kettlefallshistoricalcenter/, or call 509-738-6964.