The Placer County Board of Supervisors honored one of Colfax’s strongest supporters on Tuesday morning.

Helen Wayland, a seemingly tireless volunteer for more than 50 years, received a commendation recognizing her efforts to preserve local history.

“We’re honoring Helen Wayland for her dedication, self-sacrifice, passion and commitment to the citizens and visitors of Placer County through her 53-plus years of volunteer work towards the preservation of Colfax history,” said Supervisor Bruce Kranz, “and to thank her for her service on the Historical Organization Committee.”

Wayland admits she was dumbfounded when she first learned about the honor.

“It’s overwhelming,” she said, adding, “No one can volunteer without the help of family and friends.”

Her volunteer work began with Scouts and school activities and moved on to the Colfax Area Chamber of Commerce and the city’s Economic Development Committee.

“Colfax has been so good to our family throughout the years,” she said. “We’ve always been active in the Fourth, festivals and school projects.”

Eventually, Wayland’s volunteer efforts began to focus on preserving local history.

“A lot stems from our ownership of the historic (Colfax) pharmacy,” she said. “There’s so much history there. I worked with my children and grandchildren through the schools. It just seems natural to give back to the community.”

As one of the founding members of the Placer County Historical Society, Wayland served as chair of Placer County’s Sesquicentennial celebration in 2000.

Her proudest accomplishment, however, was arranging Colfax’s 1999 Founders’ Day celebration honoring the Chinese.

“It was such a good feeling to recognize these people who had never been recognized. We even got it put on the Congressional record,” she said. “It was so nice to be able to do something for an entire race of people who had been mistreated throughout their time.”

Since then, Wayland has hosted walking tours of Colfax and historic tours of the cemetery as well as served on the board of directors for the Bianchini Foundation and the Sierra Vista Community Center.

She also served on the Colfax Cemetery Board and the Placer County Museums Gift Shop Task Force.

As a long-time member of the Colfax Area Historical Society, Wayland devoted countless hours overseeing the development of the museum in the historic railroad depot.

“She is just amazing. She always uses outstanding judgement and is always looking to do what she can to promote local history,” noted Melanie Barton, Placer County Museums administrator.

Barton served as Wayland’s mentor while she was planning Colfax’s museum.

“One of the things I do in my job is assist people who want to start a museum,” Barton said. “Helen has taken every bit of advice and assistance we can give. She has a vision and has stuck to it.”

And yet, Wayland admits she’s ready to slow down a bit.

“It’s been a good life,” said Wayland, who moved from Penryn to Colfax when she married her high school sweetheart, Dick, in 1955. “I recommend retirement to everybody, but not necessarily to be as busy as I have been.”

Although she is resigning from several boards and committees, Wayland said she will remain active locally.

“You’ll still be able to find me,” she said with a laugh.