Mason County Historical Society Museum
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
This Georgian Revival style building was built as the City of Shelton town hall in 1914 as a memorial of Sol G. Simpson, founder of the Simpson Timber Company. It was given to the community by Sol's widow, Mary "Tollie" Simpson. An addition that mimics the original style was designed by Olympia Architect Joseph Wolheb and added in1930. When city offices moved to a new building in 1932 , the Shelton Library remained until 1989. The Mason County Historical Museum opened in the building in September 1990.
This building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Historic Register for the City of Shelton.
Images
Mason County Historical Museum 2018
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Mr Mark Reed, aided by his wife, Irene Simpson Reed, was determined to transform Shelton from a roughneck logging town to a genteel village fit for ladies, and a home bucolic and peaceful for his sons. So, shortly, Mr. Reed announced, "I am directed by Mrs. Mary G. Simpson of Seattle, to tender to you as a memorial to her husband, Sol Simpson, an appropriation of $7500 to be expended in the erection and furnishings of a town hall and library." The building was turned to face away from the wooden ramshackle hotels and card rooms. The Ladies Library Association owned nearly 1,000 books, which the new Town Hall and Library could lend.
An additional $2,500 was donated by Agnes Healy Anderson in memory of her husband, Alfred H. Anderson for furnishings.
The building was dedicated on August 1, 1914.
Sources
Fredson, Michael. Shelton's Boom. Edition Second. Shelton, WA. Mason County Historical Society, 1997.