SOUTH BEND – The Pacific County Historical Society will be honored by the Washington Museum Association with an Award of Publication Excellence next month for a special issue of the society’s publication “The Sou’wester.” Museum Director Bruce Weilepp announced the award last week.

The award will be presented during the association’s annual meeting on Thursday, June 10, at 9 a.m. in Seattle. The 2002 Stella and Leslie Raymond issue of “The Sou’wester” described the lives of the founding couple of the city of Raymond and was written by Med Nicholson and his late wife, Lora, who died just before the issue’s publication.

According to Weilepp, during the years following their marriage in 1897, the Raymonds developed a new city at the junction of the north and south forks of the Willapa River on land Stella had inherited from her father, Capt. George Johnson. Documents kept by the Raymonds, and eventually donated to the historical society, provide an intimate view of the couple’s personal and business partnership.

“In the letter notifying us of the award, the Washington Museum Association said the Stella and Leslie Raymond “Sou’wester” issue is a wonderful example of a publication that serves as an extension of the museum’s interpretive and educational activities, as well as an impressive use of the museum’s collection resources,” Weilepp said.

“I am sure I speak for the board of the society, as well as its membership in congratulating Med and Lora on this honor.”

Besides the paper version, the Stella and Leslie Raymond issue can be found on the society’s Web site, www.pacificcohistory.org

Weilepp said support for the project was provided by the Stella and Leslie Raymond Foundation, Harbor Community Bank and the Willapa Heritage Foundation.