Tammy Antilla has stepped down from being president of the McCleary Museum. We would like to publicly thank her for 16 years in that position.
Tammy joined the historical society 17 years ago and quickly became involved in all aspects of keeping the museum moving forward. Her efforts at the museum cannot be contained in one paragraph, one page. She is the one who has started the process of getting the records scanned and digitalized. Anything Tammy does, she does with a passion and throws her whole being into the effort. But, being a wise person, she also realized when it was time to step back and let ‘new blood’ run the show. She will, undoubtedly, always be involved as a volunteer, but her time now is being spent with her parents and her children and grandchildren.
She has more than a common interest in preserving history, she has a vested interest. Her great grandparents, Henry and Dorthea Tornquist, homesteaded in Summit, outside of McCleary, in 1889, the year Washington became a state. The Homestead Act was passed by Congress on May 20, 1862. The Homestead Act celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2012. Tammy’s Uncle Joe and Aunt Gail Tornquist represented Washington state at the celebration in Nebraska.
Abraham Lincoln said, in his July 4, 1861 speech, “It is the purpose of our government to elevate the condition of men, to lift artificial burdens from all shoulders, and to give everyonean unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.”
President Lincoln enacted the Homestead Act on New Year’s Day in 1863. The Homestead Act became a law that remained in effect until 1976 when the Federal Land Policy and Management Act repealed it. Alaska was the exception, receiving a 10-year extension.
Tammy was born in McCleary at Mark Reed Hospital. She lived with her family in White Star until the age of 4 when they moved just north of the McCleary city limits.
Tammy was the Bear Festival queen in 1975-76 and still helps with the Bear Fest. A person like Tammy doesn’t really have ‘free’ time, but she still manages to stay involved in many community activities. She was a member of Friends of the Library for years, and worked hard to help get the new library built. If anyone remembers the old one, you can certainly appreciate that effort.
She is involved with the Elma All School Reunion as well as being active in the Elma Alliance Church. That involvement frequently takes her out of the country for missionary work. The most recent was in the Dominican Republic. She comes home tired, but says it is very satisfying work.
Her recent Facebook post says, “Our mission trip was amazing and life-changing. I’d like to go back again, but I must say, it sure is good to be home. It really makes you appreciate what we think are givens – clean, drinkable water from the tap is a big deal, people! For the Dominican people, a drink from the tap can send them to the hospital. Mission twentyfive-35 is helping save lives by providing water filtration systems to the local people. This is just one part of the overall vision to provide clean water, sustainable nutrition, health care and jobs for the people of the Dominican Republic. See more of the work being done and how you can help at www.missiontwentyfive35.org.”
In a previous post, in part, she says, “Once here, we were with a large group of strangers, but we have made new friends and connections, each with different skills and strengths.” Further on in the same post, “…I went there today with my heart softened and my eyes opened. That ministry touched me in such a deep and personal way – today has changed me.”
Her professional life is none less impressive. She is currently working with Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. Past works include Puget Sound Partnership and Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office as well at the Department of Ecology.
Linda Thompson is the editor of the McCleary Museum Newsletter. She has been a volunteer at the museum since 1990.
