By Wallowa County Chieftain
JOSEPH — National Volunteer Week is April 20- 26, and the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center is shining a light on its volunteers.
The center is holding a volunteer appreciation dinner April 24, 6-8 p.m. at the M.Crow in Lostine to celebrate their contributions.
There is a maximum capacity of 20, so RSVP by April 18 at tinyurl.com/rsvpmaxville.
Also, Maxville is getting a new bus, and the interpretive center is seeking a shelter for the bus and a driver.
A former school bus has been obtained as part of the site transportation project. Considered a huge step forward in expanding access to the Maxville townsite 13 miles north of Wallowa, the center needs community participation to get the bus rolling.
The center needs drivers with commercial driver’s licenses for special events in Wallowa County. And the search is on for a suitable home for the bus — a shelter, garage or depot with electricity access.
If you have a large space available or know someone who does, email the center at info@maxvilleheritage.org.
Maxville, a one-time logging town, was active from its founding in 1923 to when it shut down in 1933. At one time, it was one of the largest towns in Wallowa County, with 400 people, some 40-60 of whom were Black.
The only building that remains from the original townsite is the former company headquarters building, which has been restored and reinstalled, according to Gwen Trice, executive director of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center in Joseph.
This article first appeared in the Wallowa County Chieftain and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
These efforts are being spearheaded by RARE AmeriCorps member Ruby Barrera.