[Heritage] Heritage News 2003-06-24

[INFO Heritage]

In this issue:
1.  Historic buildings to be visited in July
2.  Historians Guild seeks presentations


HISTORIC BUILDINGS TO BE VISITED IN JULY

Oregon's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has announced July open house dates for properties on the National Register of Historic Places in Albany, Coburg, Coquille, Dayton, Grants Pass, Independence, Joseph, Lake Oswego, Medford, Monmouth, Oakland, Oregon City, Nyssa, Portland, Salem, Seaside and Springfield.

Each of the historical properties receives property tax relief under the state's special assessment program, which freezes a property's assessed value for 15 years for local property tax purposes. Owners of commercial properties may reapply for an additional 15 years.

In return for the special assessment benefit, owners must hold an annual open house for the public at least one day, per year, for a minimum of four consecutive hours between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Except for state observed national holidays, owners may choose any day of the year.  

The monthly open house list is distributed through SHPO and participating chambers of commerce, historical societies, assessor's offices and local landmarks offices. It is also on the Internet at < www.shpo.state.or.us >.

For more information on the program, visit the SHPO website; write to SHPO, 1115 Commercial St. NE, Suite 2, Salem, OR  97301-1012, or phone 503-378-4168, ext 227.


HISTORIANS GUILD SEEKS PRESENTATIONS

The Pacific Northwest Historians Guild is seeking proposals for presentations at its 19th annual conference in Seattle. The theme of the conference is "Conference on the History of Today: the Shaping of the Pacific Northwest in the last 60 Years." 

The conference will explore life in the Pacific Northwest since World War II.   The planners encourage papers and sessions that deal with all aspects of the post-war period, emphasizing the lives of the people and communities who make up our region today.

Suggested topics for papers and sessions at the March 6, 2004 event include but are not limited to: contemporary issues for American Indians; oral histories of recently arrived communities; political history; race and ethnicity; women's lives; military - industrial developments; technological and economic changes; agricultural and natural resource management; and maritime history.

The program includes new work by academic historians and independent scholars as well as by community historians, journalists, filmmakers, oral historians and folklorists. Papers from researchers in other disciplines who have insights to share about life in our region today are also welcomed.  History lovers and experts can learn from one another, opening new fields of historical scholarship.

Submit proposals to the Guild for review by the Conference Program Committee, by October 15, 2003.   Proposals should include a title and a paragraph description.  Presentations that include handouts for classroom teachers are particularly appreciated.  Questions can be directed to Chuck Richards at csr at pnwhistorians.org or by phone at 206/783-9245.  The mailing address is PNW Historians Guild, P.O. Box 85457 University Station, Seattle, WA  98145.
*-------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage News is a service of the Oregon Heritage Commission.