Wagons ho

When Janice Johnston first visited Raymond, Washington’sNorthwest Carriage Museum, which opened in 2002, the blackone-seater on exhibit reminded her of her grandfather, headed outof his ranch at full trot. “He had a sheepdog, and that old dog hadto run like crazy to keep up with him,” she says.

Now Johnston volunteers one day a week at the museum, whichhouses more than two dozen 19th-century horse-drawn buggies,wagons, and coaches. They’re all part of the private collection ofRaymond residents Gary and Cecilia Dennis, who donated thecarriages to their hometown in 1999. Among the collection are aspacious C-Spring Landau and sprinkler wagons, which were used towet the streets of frontier towns in order to keep down the dust.There’s even a wheelwright shop, where kids can help build a spokedwheel.

The only thing that could possibly make the place more lifelike?A sprinting sheepdog.

Where the wagons are

10-4 Wed-Sat, noon-4 Sun; $3. 314 Alder St., Raymond, WA; www.nwcarriagemuseum.orgor 360/942-4150. ― Steven R. Lorton