Dorothy Petry is “THE” mover and shaker behind the Borderlands Museum, aka the Okanogan County Historical Society, almost to the Canada border in Oroville. I asked her for a sketch of “her” museum:

“Museums come large or small, formal or informal, specialized or general. Having visited and enjoyed many museums in the U.S., Canada and England, I find that the 1907 Old Great Northern Railroad Depot Museum here in Oroville is a good mix for visiting and working.”

“All Aboard” and enjoy a quick tour of the depot. The Ladies Waiting Room has become the Visitors Information Center. Next is the telegraph room now the Railroad Room with many of the original items still in place and also houses a small but growing research area. Down a short hallway, with restrooms on one side and office/kitchen area on the other, is the room that once served as the men’s sleeping quarters. Lastly, we step into the freight/baggage area that today is the main museum display area. Here is where yesteryear’s tools become today’s artifacts where education and memories await the visitor.”

“Behind the museum is a small army of volunteers; this group has a serious and fun time planning, researching, collecting, building, assembling and overcoming the challenges of creating a viable historic museum.  Do come visit!!”

Do come visit especially if you have ancestry in the northern part of the Okanogan Valley.