With hearts anchored in Alki's history, a party of nearly 80 landed at Salty's recently for a dinner, speeches, and silent auction to honor the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Log House Museum.

First at the podium was Marcy Johnsen who grew up in the 103 year-old home of hand-hewn Douglas fir. Originally a carriage house, or stable, for the Fir Lodge, now the Homestead Restaurant, it was moved 100 feet southeast to its present location.

"Dad was in Navy housing," Johnson said. "He drove past the log house and Mom said, 'How'd you like to live here?'"

She said they had already bought it. That was in 1959 when she was in first grade and they lived there until 1973. Johnsen said she loved swimming the summers away on Alki beach.

Master of ceremonies, Seattle City Councilman Tom Rasmussen, recalled that during the Nov. 13, 1997, grand opening another Rasmussen, James, (no relation) a member of the Duwamish tribe, blessed the Log House Museum with cedar bows, an ancient tribal tradition.

"The blessing must have worked, because here we are today, and looking toward expanding over the next 10 years," the councilman said. Honoring the donors, workers, and volunteers, he added, "While I am also a Rasmussen, I am not a Native American and do not have another cedar bow. But I bring the recognition from your City Council of your hard work."

Newly minted State Sen. Joe McDermott got a big applause, and graciously commented, "I have come here to applaud you." A third generation West Seattle resident, he said he felt a deep, personal connection with the museum.

"The Log House Museum is the glue that holds together our past, present, and future."

McDermott recalls his experience as a guide for Seattle's underground tour. He said the same historic names were mentioned on that tour as they are in the museum. Arthur Denny, Doc Maynard, Carson Boren, and, he said, "Henry Yesler and the first steam powered saw mill that caused a buzz all over town."

McDermott said Seattle's recent past comes alive at the museum, too. After the 9/11 attacks, West Seattle residents brought flags, pictures, and written notes to the prior Alki Statue of Liberty.

"Because the log house staff collected and protected these tributes, a local moment that could have been easily lost in the shifting sands of time was not lost," McDermott said.

The original Alki statue is being preserved inside the museum.

Museum Director Andrea Mercado, said that more funding is needed to hire staff to keep up with new installations, and to open the museum fulltime. Currently, the museum's hours are noon to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday.

Mercado encouraged more first-timers to come through her door.

"Some residents are embarrassed they haven't visited," she said. "Don't worry about it. This is a new museum. The Woodland Park Zoo is 108 years old. My favorite tours are on rainy days. How better to tell the story of the birthplace of Seattle to students than on the actual beach where it did occur on a cold rainy, November day in 1851. They smell the salt in the air and imagine the time..."

Grade school teacher Allison Dungan said she recalled arriving to Seattle from California and said that back then, "I was not a history buff." The school gave her the uncomfortable task of teaching Seattle history to her young pupils.

"I was introduced to Andrea, and left with 19 books, and entrusted with items of that period, including a handcrafted mirror. My class reenacted the landing of pioneers by loading covered wagons and handling authentic items. Those 7-year-olds will never say that history is boring."

Carol Vincent, Southwest Seattle Historical Society president, has been involved with the museum since 1989, and plans to retire at end of this year. "It has been an absolutely fantastic trip," she said after the program. "I look back and go 'We really did it!'" She said she shares Mercado's dream of adding another building as the totem pole, Statue of Liberty, and other donations are crowding the current space, and more educational programs should be offered.

King County Councilman Dow Constantine expressed his interest in future support of the Log House Museum.

"I think it is critically important that a local group tell the story of Seattle," he said. "Our heritage is a critical part of this region. For too long we relied on others to interpret what it means to be from West Seattle."

Visit http://www.loghousemuseum.org/

Steve Shay may be reached at steves@robinsonnews.com