Mossyrock Area Historical Society members and area residents filled the Mossyrock Community Center on Wednesday, April 1, for the release of the “Red Book” reprint, which was announced earlier this year.
Officially called “Memories from Family Albums of School District #206,” it’s also known as the “Red Book” due to its bright red cover, according to Historical Society member Buddy Rose.
Rose spearheaded efforts to republish the book, which was originally compiled in 1976 by Mossyrock Grange #355 members to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial birthday. Now, it’s part of Mossyrock’s official contribution for America250, the nationwide collaborative celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday this year.
With more than 450 pages transcribed by Rose over hundreds of hours throughout this past winter, the “Red Book” features the histories of the East County communities of Salkum, Silver Creek, Harmony, Mayfield, Mossyrock, Ajlune, Riffe, Nesika and more, along with local churches, post offices and fire departments, photos and East Lewis County family genealogical history.
“Frequently it is heard, ‘We should write the history of the area before the ‘Old Timers’ are all gone.’ The reply is a resounding, ‘Yes!’ and that is as far as it goes. The idea occurred that if we could get the families, especially the early-coming families, to write their stories of where they came from, who came, where they settled, and incidents of early living we would have a pretty good collective history. That is what we have attempted to do,” Marjorie Aldrich wrote in the book’s introduction.
Aldrich was the chairman of the 1976 Mossyrock Grange Historical Committee in charge of compiling records for the original “Red Book,” along with Doris Myers, Lillie Clowe and Marilyn Armit. The book’s original typist was Joan Budai, and photos were reproduced by Earl Clowe. Lightning Printing in Centralia handled the original book’s printing.
Mossyrock Grange members once again helped Rose with his republication efforts, which began at the end of last year, and sales of the book will benefit both the Historical Society and Grange.
Reprinting of the Red Book was handled by Gorham Printing in Centralia and limited to 300 copies, of which a total of 57 were sold at $50 a piece, according to Historical Society member Jim Myers.
While Rose had floated the idea of selling copies at Book ‘N’ Brush and the Lewis County Historical Society in Chehalis earlier this year, he explained to The Chronicle on Friday the books are not yet for sale at those locations.
Currently, Historical Society members want to do direct book sales themselves to maximize fundraising profits. Should the initial 300 copies sell out, Rose said more will be ordered from Gorham Printing.
Those looking to get a Red Book copy for themselves who missed the release at Wednesday’s meeting can reach out to the Mossyrock Area Historical Society on its website at https://www.mossyrockmuseum.com/have-a-question/ for information on how to buy one, or message the Historical Society on Facebook at https://tinyurl.com/4efsut82.
The public is also invited to attend the group’s monthly meetings, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month starting at 5 p.m. inside the Mossyrock Community Center, located at 219 E. State St. in Mossyrock.
