When the Aberdeen Museum of History burned down in June 2018, a team from the Washington State Archives played a crucial role in rushing to rescue and restore thousands of historic artifacts, historical documents and photographs from the basement archives before water and soot damage destroyed them.
To recognize the effort by the State Archives and Washington State Library to preserve Grays Harbor history, the Washington State Historical Society will present both groups one of its seven annual awards — the David Douglas Award, recognizing contributions to inform or expand appreciation of Washington State History.
Three days after the fire that destroyed Aberdeen’s Armory, which housed the museum, a team of state archivists was sent by Secretary of State Kym Wyman.