TULALIP — The Marysville Historical Society’s 11th annual Spring Tea and Vintage Fashion Show welcomed back stylish hats and charitable donations on Sunday, April 6, at the Tulalip Resort Hotel and Casino.

The event was held as a fundraiser for the ongoing construction of the society’s museum.

Participants showed up in large hats and spring-themed clothing.

“We feature a Vintage Fashion Show,” Marysville Historical Society President Ken Cage said. “The ladies will march across the stage.”

Among the festivities were a silent auction, a raffle drawing, a people’s choice award for best hat and table, and the Fashion Show, all while enjoying tea.

“It’s a fundraiser for the Historical Society,” Cage said. “The theme this year is museum celebration, because we are building a museum.”

The amount of donations received was estimated to be more than $8,000.

“This is our one big fundraiser,” Cage said.

Though there have been some delays of the museum project since 1974, Cage is optimistic that the structure will be finished later this year.

“We’re celebrating the fact that the structure is getting built,” Cage said.  “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Cage has been involved with the Historical Society since 1998.

“I have been their president since 2002,” Cage said. “And the board more or less told me to see if I can get a museum going.”

The economy and several other factors have led to setbacks for the structure.

“Or, it may never be completed because we’ll be adding different exhibits,” Cage said. “It may be a work in progress for the rest of Marysville’s life.”

The new museum will replace the temporary museum now located on Third Street in Marysville.

Like its temporary counterpart, the new structure will feature old pictures, tools, historical objects and other memorabilia donated from Marysville citizens.

“There’s a telephone section of the museum that features the early telephones,” Fashion Show Master of Ceremonies Jennie Cooney said. “I hope to raise enough money to get this building finished. This our biggest fundraiser for the Historical Society.”

Cooney has been involved with the fundraiser for two years.

Aside from the fundraising, Cooney also enjoys the social aspect of the event.

“I love being here and listening to all the stories and history,” Cooney said, before saying of the museum, “It’s up and going now, so we were just getting contractors in for the inside parts.”

For more information regarding the Marysville Historical Society, visit its website at www.marysvillehistory.org.