Wander into the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum and our docents are on hand to greet you with a warm welcome. They provide a brief introduction of our former schoolhouse building and a short explanation of the museum’s exhibits. You are encouraged to roam the main and upper floors by a winding staircase or elevator to view exhibits on your own. The museum’s collection is entirely comprised of local pioneer items. Additional artifacts and displays are located outside the building. The docents are happy to answer your questions. Among the more popular exhibits are: the Marine and logging displays, and of course, the exploding whale video.

“There’s so much to see! We’re going to come back again!”
“I had no idea there was so much here!”
“This place is awesome. It’s like my grandma’s house!”

Not surprisingly, our docents have a love of history, particularly of the Florence and Siuslaw Valley areas. They agree that being a museum volunteer helps connect them with visitors to the community. They find great pleasure in sharing knowledge of the exhibits, and pioneer life in the Siuslaw area. A chance to converse with visitors, hear what they may be interested in, and to learn where they’re from is among the most enjoyable part of being a docent. A glance at the guest book reveals visitors have come from areas both near (Springfield, Salem, Portland) and far (East Coast, Mid West, Canada, England, France, Puerto Rico, Rhodesia).

Meet Our Docents

Sherill Androsky

SHERILL ANDROSKY

Sherill is a member of a local pioneer family, whose pictures are displayed throughout the museum’s collection.

John Barnes

JOHN BARNES

Docent for 8 years. Previously worked for the Oregon Forestry Dept. Member of museum’s Heritage Players.

Ellen Bloomquist

ELLEN BLOOMQUIST

Docent for 7 years. “Best part of being a docent is meeting people from all over the world. I thoroughly enjoy that!”

Ellen Bloomquist

CHER DOLAN

Has lived in Florence for 7 years after previously living in Central Oregon. Enjoys the chance to meed interesting people as a docent.

Carole Campbell

CAROLE CAMPBELL

Docent for 3 years. “I thoroughly enjoy  being a docent. It gives me a chance to meet people and learn where they’re from.”

Judy Fleagle

JUDY FLEAGLE

Has been a docent for 21 years and is a well-known, popular local author. “Most people are truly impressed with the museum”.

Diane Vanderhey Neal

DIANE VANDERHEY NEAL

Former elementary school music teacher. Enjoys sharing music and history with museum visits by children.

PAM TANORA

PAM TANORA

Worked at a museum in Anchorage, Alaska for 20 years. Discovered her family’s name in our museum’s pioneer books.

Eileen Wiseman

EILEEN WISEMAN

Docent for 1 ½ years. Likes history and enjoys working as a museum docent while learning more about Florence.