Waitsburg's Musical History

WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg Historical Society debuted the latest of its rotating Wilson Phillips House displays, the Waitsburg Musical History Exhibit, during Celebration Days weekend. The display will also be open to the public during Alumni Weekend on May 28 from 2-4 p.m.

Historical Society member and display organizer Mary Phillips encourages all alumni to reminisce and check out the display. "They may even find a picture of themselves," Phillips said. Nancy Otterson will man the museum from 2-3 p.m. and Delores Nettles will greet visitors from 3-4 p.m.

The display includes a variety of antique instruments, old sheet music, historic photos, and vintage WHS band and majorette uniforms. Photos taken from school annuals include the 1915 Glee Club, the Farm Quartet and the Huntsville School Orchestra.

When The Times visited, WHS alumnus Bruce Abbey was delivering a Wallace trombone to be included in the display, and shared a few memories.

Abbey said he remembered practicing in the band room that was located in the elementary room basement, where the boilers are kept now. "When the elementary school caught fire, the basement filled with water and a lot of what was in there was destroyed," Abbey said.

Abbey also recalled that the high school marching band of the late 60's was "pretty good" and won the Spokane Torchlight Parade several times. They were the first band, leading the parade, his senior year.

"We did a lot of weavings and fancy things. The drum major would whistle and we'd break up and run all around and shake hands with the crowd. It was a lot of fun," he said. "The drum major was about six-feet-seven-inches tall, then he wore this big hat which made him seem 14 feet tall. He'd scare the little kids when he went to give them candy!" he added.

Anyone who is unable to visit the display this weekend will be able to check it out during regular museum hours beginning in June.