The Polson Museum in Hoquiam has been working this winter to line up a robust slate of spring programs for the public that promise to be both entertaining and informative.

History, ecology and estate planning and are on the list but if people have ideas for future programs they would like to see at the Polson (or have a program they would like to present), the Polson always welcomes public input.

Learn to leave a legacy

By popular request, the museum has lined up two programs with local attorneys to help people navigate the world of estate planning.

Aberdeen attorney Steve Natwick will present on Wednesday, March 19 at 3 p.m. and Montesano attorney Bill Stewart will present on Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

The Polson Museum has benefited immensely from their supporters’ thoughtfully crafted estate plans over the years and wants to encourage more people to think about ways they can benefit their community, family and friends by creating a will and other legal mechanisms to leave a legacy.

Natwick and Stewart have extensive expertise on the subject of estate planning and are both well respected across the Harbor in this area of law. So whether you have been thinking about creating a will, need to update one, or have questions about the world of estate planning here a great chance to talk with an attorney at no charge.

Trivia Night at Mt. Olympus Brewing

The Polson is teaming up with the Coastal Interpretive Center to host a trivia night at Mt. Olympus Brewing Co. in downtown Aberdeen.

The event starts at 6 p.m. on March 27 for a fun time exploring local history and local beer. Hint, hint, March is Women’s History Month so expect to learn about notable ladies in Grays Harbor history.

‘Ravaged Forest’ book talk

Join author Sandra Crowell at 1 p.m. on April 5 for a book talk and signing of her new biography “The Ravaged Forest,” which chronicles the life of Helen Mitchell Sanders, a Chehalis and Quinault Indian woman whose fascinating life story is told, highlighted by the two United States Supreme Court cases (1980 and 1983) she fought and won, establishing the government’s fiduciary responsibility in managing Indian resources. The book is now on sale at the museum store for $19.95.

Klahanee programs and work parties

With the museum’s first full year of owning Camp Klahanee now past, museum staff and volunteers are looking forward to the warmer months when activity at the camp ramps up, both with work projects and with programming.

The museum has work parties scheduled on April 19 and May 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to clear out this winter’s storm debris from the meadows, roads and trails. Bring your favorite set of gloves along with any tools you feel comfortable using and join us for a day in the forest working to get Klahanee ready for summer and the first public program of the year. Klahanee is located at 94 Larson Bros. Road, 13 miles north of Hoquiam off U.S. Highway 101.

‘Forest Walk & Talk’

At 1 p.m. on June 7, join Grays Harbor College Forestry teacher Pat Mahoney for a “Forest Walk & Talk.” Pat is a fascinating speaker whose depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for all things trees is infectious. Pat will take attendees on a long walk through the trail network, exploring the extensive species diversity found in Klahanee’s mature forest, discussing forest health, growth and life cycle.

Guests are invited to bring their curiosity and questions as Pat loves to be quizzed.

Humanities Speakers Bureau

In partnership with the Aberdeen and Hoquiam Timberland Libraries and Humanities Washington, the Polson is hosting the ever popular Harriet Baskas on May 10 at 1 p.m. to present “Wonderful, Weird, and Worrisome Objects in Washington State Museums.”

Most museums display no more than 10% of their holdings, often citing “not enough space” as the reason. But there are also a wide range of cultural, philosophical, political, environmental, historic, and even superstitious reasons why museums keep some objects from public view.

In this talk, explore a wide range of hidden objects found in the back rooms of museums in our state and around the country. Examples include a Spokane institution that holds Bing Crosby’s toupées and a museum in Lynden that’s home to a 150-year-old pickle.

The Polson will provide examples from their collection that fit Harriet’s theme.

The Polson Museum is located at 1611 Riverside Ave. in Hoquiam. For more information, call 360-533-5862.