"The less you know, the sounder you sleep... but I think I’d sleep a lot sounder if I knew the truth." — Julia Butler HansenFor decades, the historic 1867 clapboard house at the end of Main Street in Cathlamet served as the command center for one of Washington’s greatest political trailblazers. Known nationally as the "Grand Lady of Washington Politics," Julia Butler Hansen shattered glass ceilings as the first woman to chair a major U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee, working alongside four sitting U.S. presidents.But long before she made national history, this home held the stories of her family—including her mother, Maude Kimball Butler, whose historic paintings vividly captured early pioneer life along the Columbia River. Today, this landmark is the oldest standing home in Wahkiakum County, holding an irreplaceable treasure trove of photos, telegrams, and historical archives.We need your help to protect this legacy.The Friends of Julia Butler Hansen have launched this annual membership campaign to raise $5,000 this year to fund three critical, immediate needs:Garden Restoration: Bringing the one-acre historic grounds and the original front-door lily pool back to life.Cataloging Archives: Systematically preserving the vast collection of historical papers, artifacts, and photographs left behind by Julia and her family.Ongoing Operating Costs: Keeping the lights on, the climate controlled for sensitive archives, and the doors open. Thanks to a recent grant, we have successfully completed major structural remodeling, weatherproofing, and securing of the house. Your membership now fuels the daily operations needed to transition this historic landmark into a living heritage campus.