The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - Tamara Fritze comes to the Dayton historic Depot after a long career as a college instructor and professor. She hopes to put her passion for studying history to good use in her new job as Depot manager.

"I can't wait to start spending time with the archives," said Fritze, who started her job in mid-July. "I have to make sure I get the bookkeeping down too, though."

Fritze was hired to replace former manager Mary Byrd, who left the Depot in June.

As manager, Fritze is responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the depot museum, including conducting tours with visitors and selling items in the gift shop. She also reports activity to the Dayton Historic Depot Society's board of directors and, yes, does bookkeeping.

Fritze grew up in Coeur d'Alene, Ida. and moved to Columbia County about 20 years ago when her husband went to work in Walla Walla for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While living here, she completed her doctorate degree at WSU.

She then moved to Orem, Utah to take a position as an English professor at Utah Valley College (now Utah Valley University). She later returned to Columbia County and taught English at Walla Walla University for seven years.

Fritze's PhD. dissertation was a study of western women's gardens. "I was particularly interested in how women used gardens to create a sense of place," she said. She has since published a number of papers and articles on the topic.

Of her new position at the Depot,

Fritze said, "This is a job where I feel I can use my education."

The Dayton Depot is the oldest surviving railroad depot in Washington. It was built in 1881 near the west end of Dayton, and in 1899 it was moved on rollers to its current location on Commercial Street. The Union Pacific Railroad operated the depot until 1971, when it was closed.

The Dayton Historic Depot Society was formed in 1974 and accepted donation of the depot property from Union Pacific in 1975. The group began renovation of the structure soon after.

The Depot Society holds a collection of over 2,500 historic photos, along with furniture and other artifacts. It regularly holds historic exhibits in the upstairs gallery.

The Depot is open for visitors Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, call the depot at (509) 382-2026 or email info@daytonhistoricdepot.org.