In The News
During Meeker Mansion Museum’s COVID closure, the Puyallup Historical Society pivoted to create two new “drive thru” events with a new online Market to sell tickets, merchandise and logo-wear. Both events featured Ezra and Olive Meeker welcoming guests, were advertised on social media and livestreamed on Facebook.
The reformatted annual Cider Squeeze/Oregon Trail event generated the same revenue as 2019 with about 1/2 the attendance. The Historical Society partnered with PLU theater students who dressed as pioneers and re-enacted drive thru stops at Independence, Chimney Rock, Fort Laramie, Devil’s Gate and the Blue Mountains in a simplified version of the Oregon Trail game.
Light Up the Mansion featured Puyallup’s original iconic “Twinkle Lane” light strands from the 1950’s. Free to the public, the event welcomed almost 2,000 visitors to Meeker Mansion over three weekends and generated over $750 in donations.
Both events allowed guests to “drive thru” the carriage entrance portico for the first time. The events also encouraged guests to shop on our new online Holiday Marketplace that generated new revenues for the Historical Society during our closure.
Puyallup resident and former Executive Director and President of the Puyallup Historical Society, Andy Anderson recently stepped down from the Board of Directors of the Puyallup Historical Society at Meeker Mansion. He has served nearly 30 years dedicating efforts to preserve local history and iconic buildings.
Most notably in the Puyallup community, Andy has advocated and volunteered for the ongoing preservation of the Meeker Mansion which is listed on the directory of National Historic Sites. Though no longer serving on the board, Andy continues to participate in educating visitors about the Meekers and the Oregon Trail, collecting history and artifacts related to Puyallup, Pierce County and locals who served in the military. As a Historical Society member and volunteer, he continues to research, write and publish online articles regarding Puyallup, the Meekers and the Oregon Trail.
He continues to serve on the City of Puyallup’s Design Review and Historic Preservation Board, and is a contributing member of the Oregon California Trails Association, American Legion and V.F.W.
The Puyallup Historical Society joins the Heritage League of Pierce County in recognizing Andy Anderson's ongoing work in preserving our local heritage.
The Puyallup Historical Society at Meeker Mansion would like to thank the Heritage League of Pierce County for their efforts in advocating for Pierce County's Heritage. For more Information about HLPC click here.
Special Events Award
Re-imagined Events During the Pandemic
Puyallup Historical Society receives
heritage league of pierce county
2020 awards
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Lifetime Achievement Award
Andy Anderson
