History museum re-opens Native American exhibit

Jo Wolfe knew it would take a lot of energy to reorganize the extensive Native American Collection at the Skagit County Historical Museum.

Fortunately, there was someone perfect for the job.

Intern Maggie Telford, a 2022 University of Washington graduate in anthropology, used her technology skills and love of history to inventory, identify, document and care for the 804 Native American items at the La Conner museum over the course of an eight-month assignment.

She shared her mission Thursday evening with an engaging presentation before a standing room only audience in the museum’s east wing.

“It was wonderful to learn about this thriving culture,” said Telford, who plans to attend graduate school in the fall. “I’ll definitely hold on to this knowledge.”

Wolfe, the museum’s director, opened the program introducing Swinomish tribal member Kevin Paul. Paul drummed and offered a song of blessing with tribal members Tony Cladoosby and Dean Dan at his side.

Telford then discussed the collection’s wide array of items – from stone tools to bone implements to wooden canoe replicas.

Telford said she didn’t want to immediately pursue a master’s degree after earning her undergrad degree. Instead, she wanted to gain some practical experience.

“I wanted a job where I could apply all the hard work I had put in,” she said.

Hiring on at a museum, Telford decided, would do just that. She was thrilled to learn of an internship just 40 miles from her home in Everett.

Made possible by a Diversity in Local History Grant provided by the Washington State Historical Society, the opportunity allowed Telford to exercise her eye for detail and fulfill an eagerness to broaden the scope of her studies of societies and cultures.

“Doing inventory,” she said after Thursday’s program, “was a huge part of the job, especially during the first five months.”

Telford, collaborating with local tribal communities, became especially enamored with the collection’s basketry, most notably items donated by the Peter Campbell family for safekeeping until the Upper Skagit Tribe opens its own cultural center.

She and Wolfe agreed that digitalizing the North American collection makes it more accessible than previously possible, since public display is limited to protect each item’s longevity.

“We don’t want to put any of the items at risk,” Telford said. “With digitalization, hopefully, the public can get to see things it ordinarily wouldn’t get to see.”

Wolfe said Telford was an ideal choice for the multi-tiered internship, which has included re-designing and updating the museum’s permanent exhibit spaces.

“She was the perfect person for the job,” Wolfe told the Weekly News. “She was a tremendous team player who was always willing to help even if it was outside of her area. She was such a good fit for us.”

And judging from the applause Telford received at the end of her museum presentation, Wolfe’s appraisal itself was quite fitting.