MAPLE VALLEY, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dr. Lance Gibbon, a lifetime member of the Maple Valley Historical Society, was recently selected to serve on its Board of Directors.
In 2022, the historical society celebrated its 50-year anniversary. Dr. Lance Gibbon is excited to be a part of supporting the MVHS mission to collect, preserve, educate, and promote the history of the Greater Maple Valley area.
“I’m grateful to join a long line of volunteers who have invested so much in the museum over the years,” Dr. Gibbon shared. “I’m particularly excited about the team’s current efforts to get more of the museum’s photos and documents online to reach an even broader audience.”
The Gibbon family has a long history of supporting the historical society. Dr. Gibbon’s grandfather Chester Gibbon was the feature editor for The Seattle Times for 25 years and did much to record and preserve Maple Valley and King County history. He donated several documents to the Library Guild in the 1950’s, which are now part of the MVHS collection.
Dr. Gibbon and his father, Gary, are both lifetime members of the MVHS and his aunt, Dorothy Church, was a longtime editor of the MVHS newsletter, The Bugle. Both have contributed photos, artifacts, and historical knowledge to the museum over the years.
Dr. Gibbon’s great grandfather W.D. Gibbon’s general store is now the centerpiece of the museum and contains many items from the Gibbon family’s collection. In 2020, the building received a Historic Landmark designation by the King County Historic Preservation Program and Landmarks Commission.
The MVHS has been a strong community partner and supporter of local schools, providing in-class presentations for middle schoolers and field trip opportunities for elementary students. The MVHS also assisted with historic images featured prominently in the new Tahoma High School and has been working closely with the Tahoma School District in preparation for its upcoming centennial celebration.
“I love that education is so much of a focus for the mission of the historical society. Preserving and passing on local history to the next generation is vitally important,” Dr. Gibbon stated.
Dr. Gibbon is a fourth-generation educator in Washington. His great-grandmother, Elizabeth Gibbon, earned her teaching credential from Washington Territorial University in 1887. She later married W.D. Gibbon and helped run the store which is now part of the museum. Dr. Gibbon’s son, Samuel, is currently finishing his teaching credential, making him a fifth-generation educator in the state spanning nearly 140 years.
Support the ongoing work of the Maple Valley Historical Society by visiting their website at www.maplevalleyhistorical.com/.
About Lance Gibbon
Dr. Lance Gibbon is a dynamic servant leader in education based in the Puget Sound area. He excels at providing student opportunities, cultivating connections, and promoting positive, inclusive learning and work environments. A passionate community supporter, volunteer, and board member, he was twice recognized as Community Leader of the Year.