Renovations

This year, because of the generosity of our donors, we were able to complete much needed repairs of the Ansorge Hotel Museum. Windows were re-glazed, bird holes were filled, and siding shingles were re-nailed before applying a new coat of paint. The boardwalk was pressure washed before applying a new coat of sealant. Trees were removed along the east side of the hotel due to safety concerns and to eliminate threats they might pose to the hotel.

The Kettle River History Club was the recipient of generous grants from Kinross Gold Corporation and the Valerie Sivinsky Fund by way of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

Donations from the community of time, money and gently used Christmas and household items for our annual bazaars are equally appreciated. We also thank the many community members who have donated pies and pastries to our sales and the generous bidders who have purchased them.

We couldn't do it without you!

Becoming a museum . . .

Old, weathered two-story building with people outside.

in the beginning

When the Ansorge Hotel was donated by Luella Burns and Richard & Gladys Lembcke it hadn't been used as a hotel for many years and its condition was rough. Here are some of the first, brave, Kettle River History Club members entering the hotel.

Workers painting a two-story house using scaffolding.

Exterior Renovation

Repainting the exterior required scraping the old paint before applying new paint.

Extensive Interior Work Was Also Required

In some places interior walls were stripped down to the lath and plaster before they could be refinished and painted. Early Kettle River History Club members Tom McKay and Tom Kroupa are shown working on walls in the Bar & Game Room, which is now called the Display Room.

People cleaning and working on a large wooden table in a workshop.

The Display Room Takes Form

LaRue Lembcke (lower right) is shown refinishing a counter in the Display Room.

Two people painting a ceiling while standing on scaffolding.

Painting the Dining Room

Curlew Job Corps students are shown painting the dining room. Over the years, Job Corps has been a great resource in the maintenance and repair of the Ansorge Hotel

Kettle River History Club Members Honored

Some of the original, very hard-working, history club members, were honored with Certificates of Recognition in June 2007. We enthusiastically agree with the following "thank-you" which was written for the occasion.

Thank You

by Kay Wayne Parker

Thank you for caring about today, enough to preserve yesterday.

Thank you for banding together to form the Kettle River History Club. In so doing, you have given us an immeasurable treasure.

Thank you for your work and time in recording the stories of the past in the Reflection books.

These are stories that show the courage of those who lived before us.

To be fully thankful, we must remember yesterday.

Thank you for saving a bridge, markers in graveyards, and many other deeds.

Gladys, thank you for donating the Ansorge Hotel to the Kettle River History Club.

Thank you to the members who worked hard to restore it.

May we all care about tomorrow, enough to continue the work of our founding members.

Today we take this opportunity to say thank you. Thank you founding members.

Your work is truly appreciated.

Ansorge Hotel Museum

Take A Step Back In Time

We are grateful for our donors

This year we went from this . . .

. . . to this. It was made possible by the generosity of our donors. Thank you!

Becoming a museum . . .

in the beginning

Exterior Renovation

Extensive Interior Work Was Also Required

The Display Room Takes Form

Painting the Dining Room

Kettle River History Club Members Honored

Ansorge Hotel Museum

Take A Step Back In Time

We are grateful for our donors

This year we went from this . . .

. . . to this. It was made possible by the generosity of our donors. Thank you!

Becoming a museum . . .

in the beginning

Exterior Renovation

Extensive Interior Work Was Also Required

The Display Room Takes Form

Painting the Dining Room

Kettle River History Club Members Honored

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