“Hello? Is this Oysterville?” The woman at the other end of the phone line sounded brusque and more than a little intimidating. I wasn’t exactly sure how to respond.
“Yes, I live in Oysterville,” I said. “How can I help you?”
“What hours are you open? I have your flier here but it doesn’t say when you are open.”
When I ascertained that she was referring to the walking tour brochure, I explained that we were a village of private residences and that the brochure was meant as a help to those who wished to walk around and learn something about our history. None of the homes are ‘on view’ except from the outside, I explained.
She sounded a bit unbelieving but was apparently mollified when I assured her that the church was always open. “And the schoolhouse?” she asked. “No. But it is available to rent if you are having a wedding reception or a family gathering…” She did have the grace to thank me for the information before she disconnected.
It wasn’t five minutes later that the doorbell rang and I found a kindly looking gentleman on the porch who said he was from Oregon. He was looking for information about some of his ancestors. “They were oystermen and I think they owned property here,” he told me. Unfortunately, he didn’t know their names.
I would not need to look at a calendar to know that it is the height of summer in Oysterville! We get two or three phone calls a week – sometimes more – from folks wanting information, and an amazing number of strangers brave the “Private Home” sign looking for answers to questions about Oysterville past and present.
It’s not a new phenomenon. My father used to liken this house to the Information Booth at Grand Central Station. For the most part, I enjoy talking with people about Oysterville and its history, although my willingness depends greatly upon how busy I am.
Ultimately, I think of all the people in all the hamlets and villages of our travels who have taken time to answer our questions and make us feel like we are getting ‘insider information.’ And so, when there comes a knock at the door, or a stranger leans over the garden gate, I almost always take the time to chat. Oysterville is worth it!
YES! I can image the scene, at the front door or the garden gate, Oysterville’s number one fan and First Lady! When we love “something” or someone, the natural feeling is to share it with others….