'Waitsburg Under Water' on display at Wilson-Phillips House

Visitors to the annual Pioneer Fall Festival were able to stroll through the Wilson-Phillips House Museum to view the new “Waitsburg Under Water” display.

A quote in an April 1996 Spokesman Review newspaper article by Kim Barker was the inspiration for the display said co-organizer Kate Hockersmith.

The display will remain at the Wilson-Phillips House and can be viewed by appointment.

“Weeks after the Touchet River missed the turn and nearly washed a chunk of this tiny town off the map, the place still looks like a mud pie,” Barker wrote.

Mary Phillips and Hockersmith have pulled together memorabilia and photos from past flood events for the display.

“I thought the display would be especially helpful to newer residents who may not know that Waitsburg’s original name was Delta,” Hockersmith said. “Waitsburg is situated between the Touchet River and Coppei Creek and thus, prone to flooding especially in late winter and early spring. Flood events seem to happen here about every 30 years. The 1931, 1964 and 1996 floods are featured in the display.”

The display also includes photos from the 1948 Huntsville flood and a flood video, which will be available for pre-purchase, will be playing. The W-P house is located just behind the Bruce House Museum.