Two Rivers Heritage Museum volunteer guides have years of local knowledge

A lifelong resident of the Camas-Washougal area is among the people who provide information and assistance at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum.

Bob Peake, 82, has volunteered there for 25 years.

One of the areas he is most fascinated with is the “tool shed.”

The historic tools include a round, wooden plane, which was used to smooth a wooden surface. Nowadays, people tend to use electric sanders.

“I used to do a lot of woodworking, and some of these items are just unreal,” Peake said.

There are also light bulbs from the marquee of the Granada (now Liberty) Theatre.

“The bulbs are more than 80 years old, and they still work,” Peake said.

For more than 15 years, he has installed Christmas lights on the outside of the museum.

Native American baskets, arrowheads, tools and dolls are among the first items visitors see.

Other exhibits include photographs and other memorabilia from former local residents who have become famous. They include NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, astronaut Michael Barratt and singer Jimmie Rodgers.

A Lupton’s ice cream parlor container, from the 1930s and ’40s, in Camas, is available for viewing, along with a 1910 pinball machine, medical tools, toys, laundry supplies and school books and desks. There are historic hats and dresses, antique glassware and a christening dress from the early 1900s.

Unique items include a fish net making machine. Stained glass art, created by Teri Neville, enhance several of the windows.

A music room contains a variety of antique instruments, while the decor in another space was inspired by the contents of a 1930s kitchen.

Another room features antique cameras and historic photographs of the C-W area.

There are also two stereoscopic viewers.

“Early 3-D,” a sign states.

The carriage room includes a 1900’s buggy, a sleigh, an assortment of municipal signage and information about Camas and Washougal train depots.

A file room contains newspaper clippings, Post-Record and Columbian archives, cemetery and funeral home records and photo archives. Records of local homesteads are also available.

A gift shop sells postcards, marbles, recipe books, Lewis and Clark coloring books and bicentennial pins. There are also ornaments designed by local artist Elida Field, to commemorate the Washougal centennial in 2008.