Hello, Lewis County, and hello to the many visitors from around the world who find their way to our beautiful county. Now that I'm the permanent executive director of the Lewis County Historical Museum, I want to properly introduce myself, share where the museum stands and tell you why I hope you'll join us.
I grew up in Chehalis. I went to St. Joseph's Catholic School, graduated from W.F. West, earned my associate of arts degree at Centralia College, and became an Eagle Scout with Troop 373. My mom taught elementary school, and my dad worked for Lewis County on projects I got to watch take shape, including building the Lewis County Jail. I spent my first 20 years stomping around this county, and I always loved being from here.
After I finished my degree at Eastern Washington University, I was ready for the big city. My first job out of college was at Seattle's Pacific Science Center, one of the best museums in the nation. Little did I know how much that experience would matter later in my story. I keep thinking about that Liam Neeson line from the movie Taken where he says, “I have a very particular set of skills,” because it seems like I have dozens of these smaller experiences that have uniquely qualified me to manage this museum and its programs.
In 2016, I finished my master’s in business administration at City University of Seattle, and my first job afterward was driving a garbage truck through Seattle for Waste Management (WM). It was humbling and it changed me. Routes started at 3:30 a.m. I became the guy who showed up first, got every stop, never had an accident, and stayed late to help teammates finish. That job turned me into someone I barely recognized: strong, resilient and a passionate leader. It also got me noticed, and WM promoted me to national driver trainer in Glendale, Arizona.
Six years as a corporate trainer taught me how a world-class, Fortune 500 company does business. But the most important lesson was this: the fastest way to succeed is to help everyone around you succeed. Instead of trying to win the race, I started making sure everyone on my team finished it. That's still my driving priority. No ego. Help the team win.
When I came home this year, a museum board member offered to store some of my things in his shop. Through him I learned the museum was closed and needed someone to get the doors open again. I didn't feel fully qualified, but I believed I could help get it back on its feet. Since my first day on June 18, what I've experienced has been nothing short of miraculous. At every challenge, someone has stepped up right when I needed them. Running a museum like this has less to do with what I can do alone and more to do with who is standing beside me.
My plan was to stabilize the museum, then look forward. We're stabilized now, and the future is bright.
Over the next two years, we'll modernize how we collect, catalog and preserve our collections: photographing and inventorying artifacts to modern museum standards, organizing our vast digital collection, putting our catalog online and lending pieces to other museums. We'll also have fun. The museum is a great space for wedding receptions, private parties, concerts and marketplaces. Our rates are reasonable, and we're working on a permanent food truck in our parking lot.
Over the next 10 years, we want to grow from a tourist stop into an essential experience: A true educational institution connected to museums across Washington and the region, with an endowment strong enough to last another 50 years. We also dream of a train-watching park just south of us along the tracks, something that could change how downtown Chehalis feels and functions.
None of this happens alone. I can do a lot, and I'm willing to do a lot, but not with just my own two hands. We're building an internship program with Centralia College and forming volunteer groups for research, event planning, archives, digital collections and more. Some roles need an expert. Some just need enthusiasm. There's something for everyone, from gardening to research to simply talking with folks who walk in.
Our home is the Chehalis Depot, built in 1912 and converted into a museum in the 1970s. It has seen countless travelers, and the care people have poured into preserving it is obvious the moment you walk in. I'm deeply grateful to everyone who came before me. Without them, we wouldn't have such a bright future today.
So here's my ask. Come find us. Think of us for your next event. Use our collections for your book or your family history. Bring your kids to play and get inspired. Share your ideas, your time, and the artifacts that need a home. Help me build the train park. Ten years from now, I hope we can all look at this place and know we had a hand in it.
This is your museum. Every Lewis County person deserves a place in its story, and I'll always make room for yours. I can't do this alone, but I can do it with the help of this community.
I'm so happy to be here, and now you're stuck with me for a long time. Come see what we're up to. You won't be disappointed.
Doug DeVany
Executive director
Lewis County Historical Museum
