Monte museum renamed in honor of Pat Clemons

Lifelong Monte resident considered the unofficial historian of the area

By Dan Hammock • January 18, 2018 1:30 am
DAN HAMMOCK | TWIN HARBORS NEWSPAPER GROUP Pat Clemons, East County historian and former school teacher from Montesano, is presented with a new plaque honoring the tree farm centennial Sunday. Eric Koecke made the plaque as part of his Eagle Scout project and replaces the original plaque which was damaged. The Sunday event was honoring the renaming of the Chehalis Valley Historical Museum the Pat Clemons Chehalis Valley Historical Museum.
DAN HAMMOCK | TWIN HARBORS NEWSPAPER GROUP Pat Clemons, East County historian and former school teacher from Montesano, is presented with a new plaque honoring the tree farm centennial Sunday. Eric Koecke made the plaque as part of his Eagle Scout project and replaces the original plaque which was damaged. The Sunday event was honoring the renaming of the Chehalis Valley Historical Museum the Pat Clemons Chehalis Valley Historical Museum.

Lifelong Montesanan Pat Clemons, considered the unofficial historian of her hometown and East County, was honored Sunday when the Chehalis Valley Historical Museum changed its name to the Pat Clemons Chehalis Valley Historical Museum.

Former Montesano educator Bruce Hooper officiated the celebration, held at Montesano Health and Rehabilitation Center where Clemons currently resides, and said, “I want to thank Pat Clemons for being Pat Clemons.”

Clemons has lived in Montesano her entire life, save her stint in college.

“She came back and taught for 30 years,” Hooper said, adding that she substitute taught after her retirement and was the librarian at Beacon Elementary School. “She has always been a historian so she never stopped teaching. If you want to know something about East County history, she either knows it or knows who does.”

Recently, Clemons spoke at the 75th anniversary of the Clemon’s Tree Farm. A plaque commemorating the 2016 event had been damaged, so before Hooper spoke, local Boy Scout Eric Koecke presented Clemons a new metal plaque he had created as part of his Eagle Scout bid.

The plaque reads: “In commemoration, Silver Anniversary of the Nationwide Tree Farm Program. Here began the industry’s great contribution of the future of America’s forests with the creation of the Clemons Tree Farm on May 21, 1941. This hybrid Douglas fir presented to the City of Montesano on May 21, 1966, by the Western Wood Products Association.”

Clemons has been recognized in the past as Montesano Citizen of the Year and is a member of the Montesano Hall of Fame. She also has been awarded the key to the city.

“She is an expert in East County history, and now is part of our history,” Hooper said.

The Pat Clemons Chehalis Valley Historical Museum is located at 703 West Pioneer Ave. in Montesano. Hooper noted the museum is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The 1,000 square foot building is stacked floor to ceiling with pieces of East County history. Hooper said the building is in need of a new roof and donations are being accepted.

To donate or to become a member of the museum, contact Linda Scerbo at (360) 470-6181 or email chehalisvalleymuseum@gmail.com.