PORT ANGELES — Bits of Elwha River Dam history will be up for grabs next week.
The Lower Elwha Klallam tribe will auction several items from the power houses of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams during its gala fundraising dinner Sept. 16.
The dinner, commemorating the start of the dams’ demolition, will be held at 5 p.m. at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
The artifacts include two large power gauges, a generator switch, signs from both structures and even an ax.
No minimum bids have been set, but the tribe’s assistant Elwha River restoration director said she expects them to go for a considerable price.
“It’s a part of history,” LaTrisha Suggs said.
“I think these are going to be sought-after items.”
The tribe is also auctioning artwork, golf packages, kayaking trips and other items as part of its fundraiser to benefit its scholarship and youth programs.
Ticket sales also will benefit the programs, Suggs said.
Tickets for the gala are priced at $150 and $300.
Suggs said Wednesday that 100 of the event’s 275 tickets have been sold.
They can be purchased at the Klallam Heritage Center, 401 E. First St., or at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/190890.
The “distinguished sponsors” who pay $300 will receive a retail gift valued at $55, dinner, two glasses of wine and their names in a commemorative brochure.
Those who pay $150 will receive dinner, a glass of wine and the brochure.
Guest speakers include hall of fame basketball player and former Sen. Bill Bradley and actor Tom Skerritt, who is also a board member of American Rivers, the river restoration organization that helped spearhead legislation calling for the dams’ removal.
The tribe is also hosting a potlatch-style dinner Sept. 17 at its tribal center, 2851 Lower Elwha Road. It will begin at 5 p.m.
Suggs said all tribes that are members of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission have been invited to that event, which is free and open to the public.
She said between 1,000 and 2,000 people are expected to attend.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
