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Black Mountain Forestry Museum

Address

http://www.blackmountainforestry.co...
9006 Silver Lake Rd
Maple Falls , WA 98266
733-2654

Hours

Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sun 11:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Review

A visit to the Black Mountain Forestry Center is like a stroll through a living history book about the timber industry.

The focal point is the Gerdrum House which was built in the 1890s and has now been converted into a museum. Constructed entirely from a single, enormous cedar tree, the house is a fine example of a 19th Century pioneer home. Inside, there is an exhibit of antique wood-working tools, a homestead kitchen, a ladies parlor, and a gift shop. The walls are lined with faded black-and-white photographs of loggers beside immense felled trees that make present day "adult" trees look like little Christmas trees.

Outside the museum are information booths arranged in a semi-circle around the huge spar pole which dominates the field. Each booth has a different theme covering every aspect of forestry management, from planting, harvesting, and preservation of wildlife habitats to examples of various species of trees and wood products.

When looking at the ancient rusted machinery, two-handed saws, and huge sawmill blades, what comes across is the sheer stamina, willpower and ingenuity that it took for these old time loggers just to fell a tree, transport it, and process it.

The late Wayne Beech, a retired US Forest Service worker, came up with the idea of the forestry center after new habitat protection laws jeopardized the livelihoods of thousands of loggers. His dream was to have a center that traced the history of forestry in the region from traditional logging practices to modern day techniques. The museum opened in May 2000 and hosted the first World of Wood Festival, which featured chainsaw carving, storytelling, live music, food, and woodcrafters. It was such a resounding success that the forestry center hopes to hold this event annually.

The center is currently in its infancy, but the volunteer staff are enthusiastic about the future and have big plans. As we all know, from little seedlings, great things grow.

Note: The museum is currently open only on weekends. Forestry tours are also available.
Written By: Hilary Higgins
On: 5/19/2000

Directions

Take Mt. Baker Highway (Highway 542) out to Maple Falls and turn left onto Silver Lake Road. The museum is about 3-1/2 miles ahead on the left, right across from the Silver Lake Park.

Features

Kid Friendly | Bathrooms | Wheelchair Accessible

Map

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