Lincoln County Museum opens for the season

DAVENPORT - The Lincoln County Museum is now open, welcoming visitors and locals alike to view the diverse display of historical items related to Lincoln County's past. The museum is located at 600 Seventh St. and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Visitors to the museum can view objects highlighting the agricultural history of the region, including old farm equipment housed in the three outbuildings on the property. Intriguing, well organized displays in the main museum building show the era of settlement and natural resource development along with cultural snapshots of Rural America like old baseball uniforms and soda fountain counters.

Keepsakes from Davenport's business history are on display including dishes from a popular diner called "Mittens" and bottles from the old Pioneer Bottling Works. Like the sheet music from the former Davenport Opera or the fancy chaps of a Lincoln County cowgirl, the items help tell the story of a colorful past and an ambitious people.

In addition to historic photos and paintings are items of a more unusual sort.

The "death mask" of notorious outlaw and thief Harry Tracy can be viewed. At one point Tracy had over 500 lawmen in six states pursuing him until he committed suicide in a field near Davenport.

Other items, like a magic lantern or a poker table help show some of the entertainment from the era before internet and television.

"We have several different displays showing the history of the area before the Grand Coulee Dam was built and works by local artists," said volunteer Tannis Jeschke. "We have people come from out of the area and even out of the country that visit us every summer."