Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society: Yakima Valley Genealogical Library Visit

Members Fred Henchell, Audrey Crader, Kathy Orfall, Georga Foster and DAR Registrant Emma Jean Smith and two new applicant researchers met at he Yakima Valley Genealogical Library in

Union Gap on May 12 to tour the library and meet with the YVGS volunteers. They were met by Susan Boatright and her husband Don who explained in the workings of the library and the YVGS.

Frank McLean gave a tour of the facility and explained the holdings and materials available to researchers. The society has 258 members and a vast number of regular volunteers that work at the library. The library is one of the most complete genealogical libraries in the pacific northwest and is 7200 Square feet in size along with a lounge area, kitchen and research tools consisting of computers, microfiche, newspapers and maps. It also has a large selection of DAR material for DAR researchers and a large section of donated family history books and manuscripts .

A database of their inventory can be viewed at their website under Library>Catalog.

The public is always welcome and for inquiries and questions you can contact the library at the address below.

Yakima Valley Genealogical Society
1901 S. 12th Ave.
Union Gap, WA 98903-1256

Telephone

(509) 248-1328

2024 Program Schedule

January 6, 2024 - America's Extension Service - Resources for Genealogy - Georga Foster
February - Original Courthouse History Forums- Members are encouraged to attend.
March - Darrelll Jabin - Oregons Traveling Historian- March 23, 2024
June 10, 2024 - Hood River Museum Meetup - 1:00pm
July/August - Summer Break
September 14, 2024 - Solutions To Geneaogical Research In Todays Economy
October 5, 2024 - Thomas MacEntee LIVE
Nov. 9, 2024 - FamilySearch Workshop -LDS LIbrary
December- No Program- Merry Christmas

Pioneers of The West

Header Photo: Helen Lundeberg created this painting while employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal program that employed artists during the Great Depression. Like other WPA artists, Lundeberg depicted a hopeful view of the United States during a time of turmoil and uncertainty by showing a dreamlike image of western expansion. The group of pioneers, with their backs to the viewer, follows an ox-drawn wagon into a valley. The monumental figures appear strong and assured in their forward progress. Rising mountains melt into the sun. Lundeberg's style of mixing fantastic images with reality is evident in the background: The pink, rolling mountains blend into the orange, pink, and bluish haze of the sky; it is difficult to determine where the mountains end and the sky begins. The careful use of space and dreamlike elements in Pioneers of the West is representative of Lundeberg's postsurrealist style. This movement, derived from surrealism, purposely combined fantasy with reality and was predominantly found on the West Coast. (Helen Lundeberg, Pioneers of the West, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.8.27) GSA: Information and images created or owned by the GSA unless otherwise indicated, are considered in the public domain. They may be distributed or copied as permitted by applicable law.