PR: Marianne Bull named Steilacoom's Citizen of the Year

Marianne Bull has served her community well during the past thirty plus years. Her love and appreciation of historic preservation goes back to her hometown of York, Pennsylvania. She has served as a member of the Steilacoom Preservation and Review Board for the past ten years. During that time Design Standards were adopted to further assist the board in its review of buildings in the Historic District. Her artistic eye and attention to detail have greatly contributed to the work in the district.

That attention to detail and hard work were further utilized when she restored her own home, The Captain Black House. The restoration "is an example of how it is possible to adapt a historic structure to modem use and life, while preserving and honoring the integrity of the historic design and structure." In May the Bulls received a Historic Preservation Award from the Town of Steilacoom for their work and dedication.

During the Town of Steilacoom's Sesquicentennial in 2004 Marianne was co-chair of the Entertainment and Demonstration Committee. As such she planned, organized and scheduled all the activities in coordination with local groups and other organizations. Those excellent
skills had been fine tuned through the years as chair of the Apple Squeeze.

The Steilacoom Historical Museum Association has been a vital part of the community and a focus and symbol of Steilacoom to the surrounding area. Marianne's dedication to that organization is well known. She has the distinction of serving as president of SHMA for three
years, all other presidents, only one or two years. She is currently on the board again, as vice president.

During a crucial time when the Nathaniel Orr home fell she was co-chair of the Capitol Fund Campaign. With her expertise and knowledge funds were raised, not only to finance the restoration of the home, but also to build the new museum. As member of the Orr Committee during the years of 1992 through 2007 special events were organized and successfully carried out raising, over $50,000. Those events included Steilacoom Dines Out, Christmas at the Orr Home, luncheon auctions and others.

As earlier mentioned Marianne has served as chair of the Apple Squeeze for over 15 years. She has expanded the event from basically a time of apple squeezing and selling apple products to a major event with venders and musical entertainment. This brings in visitors from all over the NW to enjoy the town and to participate in the activities.

With her fine discerning and artistic eye and her attention for detail she has assisted in exhibits both at the Orr home and the museum. That same artistic flair and love of retail merchandizing has enabled the gift shop at the Bair Store and the museum to be popular and profitable. Marianne, for many years, was the one in charge of publicity. With contacts outside the community she was successfully able to promote the events of SHMA and Steilacoom. Many visitors to the events often associate those events with the Town of Steilacoom and think of the
two as synonymous.

Marianne is very deserving of being proclaimed Citizen of the Year for her dedication and commitment to Steilacoom's history and its preservation. Her leadership, superb organizational skills and hard work continue to make Steilacoom a special place as well as a town proud of its history.

Be Sociable, Share!

•