Library to honor author, historian

Keith McCoy has lived his entire life in Mount Adams country. He has been a newspaper columnist, and radio personality as well as an author. He is also well known in the Gorge for his "living history" portrayal of William Clark, member of the Corps of Discovery. He is widely acknowledged as THE expert on local history and folklore.

Though "retired" for 25 years, Keith spent those years researching, teaching and writing about the history of the mid-Columbia Gorge. He has published four local history books including: The Mount Adams Country: Forgotten Corner of the Columbia River Gorge c1987; Cody: Colorful Man of Color c1988; Melodic Whistles in the Columbia River Gorge c1995; and Rowdy River: The Wild and Scenic White Salmon c2003. His writings, stories and "living history" presentations have brought the region's past alive, enhancing our understanding of the area, its pioneers and their lives.

The open house will feature the latest gift to the community from Keith and his wife Lucy, an antique "Tiffany style" stained-glass window from the historic Tawasentha Orchards home of Herbert & Lyra Williams. Herbert Williams came to the White Salmon area in 1904, lured by the promise of dry-land orcharding. He is credited for attracting many other Minnesotans to the White Salmon area.

As a small neighbor boy, Keith remembers the glory of this antique stained-glass window that was a centerpiece of the Williams' home.

He acquired it many years later and wants it to remain in White Salmon as a token of the optimism and affluence at the time of the "Apple Boom."

Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library.

For further information about the event call the library (509) 493-1132.