“Pieces of the Puzzle”

2015 Pieces of the Puzzle

2015 Pieces of the Puzzle

Tonight is the opening reception for a new exhibit at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum (CPHM). Called “Pieces of the Puzzle: Recent Gifts to Collections,” it is billed on their website as a sampler of the generous gifts given to the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum over the past several years.  The exhibition includes over 300 items ranging from photographs and books to uniforms, t-shirts, and paintings and ceramics created by important local artists.

My anticipation is high on all fronts. First of all, the very title “Pieces of the Puzzle” resonates bigtime with me. I spend much of my life with bits and pieces of historic information and am never so happy as when I am able to fit a newly found snippet into a larger context. Seeing actual artifacts and three-dimensional objects often triggers one of those “aha” moments and leads to closure on a long-unanswered question.

CPHM

CPHM

Secondly, I’m quite sure that I will recognize many of the objects on display. I know for a fact that at least one local artist has recently donated some of her work – including silkscreen tee shirt designs – to the museum. I fully expect to see some of my very wardrobe items among the exhibits! I have mixed feelings about that, actually.

For some time, we’ve been aware of common, everyday items – things still in use in our household – for sale in antique shops and (sadly) junk shops that we go to. It’s one of those bittersweet accompaniments to aging. (I try hard not to smack the young browsers around me who laugh out loud at the ‘antiquated’ items that I consider necessary accompaniments gracious living. So far, so good in the smacking department…) I can’t decide, though, how I will feel about seeing parts of my current life in an actual museum exhibit! It’s a daunting thought!

Overall, though, I expect to be delighted that parts of my own everyday life are now officially “collector’s items” and have found a safe haven for posterity. It’s good to think that what we know and love and take for-granted will ‘be there’ for future generations to look at and learn from. And, yes, even to laugh at! Five to seven at the museum in Ilwaco!

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