A champion of local history has made a bit of history himself.

In recognition of his “effortless dedication to preserve and protect the historical heritage of the Sequim Prairie and Dungeness Flats,” Robert Clark was presented with Sequim Museum & Arts’ first Certificate of Historian Emeritus on Feb. 8.

Clark, a 60-year member of the Sequim Prairie Grange, received the award from Judy Reandeau Stipe, Sequim Museum & Arts volunteer director, and Sequim Prairie Grange member and Hazel Ault.

The certificate will allow him to always have a special seat on the advisory board, grange members noted.

“He has a vast wealth of knowledge and if the museum ever has a question regarding the historical heritage of the Sequim-Dungeness area, we can call Bob and he will have the answer,” Stipe said.

Within days of receiving his award, Clark got a call from museum volunteers to verify some facts. When Stipe asked him if the information was true, Clark chuckled and responded, “Only partial is true.”

Said Clark, “My memory of the past is as sharp as a tack but don’t ask me a question from last week. I am 92 years old and I will be 93 in November.”

Grange members said that Clark recounted the story of how the Sequim Museum got its start: The old city hall was located on Bell Street, where original museum board members would meet decades ago. There was an old dusty jail cell in the back that was never used, so they used it to store donated museum items.

“Did you know that the very first donation, to the Sequim Museum was a three-legged milk stool, from Orum Medsker?” he asked.

His stories continued and he explained how every family name, on the road signs, had a story.

“I have often wanted to go over to the Abernathy donation claim and tell the people who built a house on the site, of the very first school,” he said. “It was a log cabin and the very first schoolteacher there was a man named William King.”

As he paused and thought for a minute, grangers noted, they could see the passion for his heritage and his community, overflowing with sincere gratitude.

“The museum in Sequim is a Godsend,” Clark said. I just wish people would go back and see what is in there, especially the younger generation.

“Judy and her staff have done a wonderful job with our museum and it is truly a jewel, in our community.”

Submitted photo Judy Reandeau Stipe, Sequim Museum & Arts’ volunteer director, gives Robert Clark his Certificate of Historian Emeritus during the Feb. 8 Sequim Prairie Grange meeting.