The Lewis County Historical Museum web site at http://www.lewiscountymuseum.org/ claims the museum is "open to the public" from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday through Friday. However, visitors to the museum on Wednesday report that the doors are locked. The museum reportedly has been shut down while Chehalis police look into the museum's bank accounts. Those bank accounts reportedly have been frozen.
The museum's $460,000 endowment account has disappeared, according to newly-elected museum board president John Panesko. Panesko was elected on Tuesday evening after all the past officers of the board submitted their resignations.
Panesko said it is not clear what happened to the funds and described past officers as being "evasive" about the history of the account. He said it is possible the funds were spent, legally or otherwise, or money may have been lost in investments.
Chehalis police have hired an accountant to examine whatever records are available.
You can read more in Sharyn L. Decker's "Lewis County Sirens" at http://www.lewiscountysirens.com/?p=9597
If you enjoyed this article, please share it with others. Tweet it, share it on Google+, Facebook or on your preferred social network.
Republishing of this article in newsletters, blogs, and elsewhere is allowed and encouraged, with a few minor restrictions. Details may be found at http://goo.gl/hoHH1.
Of course, if you haven’t done so already, you should join my email newsletter mailing list to stay current on my latest articles and announcements. You can also cancel at any time within seconds. I promise to never, ever send you any unrequested e-mail, other than newsletter updates.
