[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2009-03-26

[Heritage Info]

In this issue:
1.  OHS resumes library operation April 2
2.  Saturday's a big day at Extravaganza
3.  Oregon 150 reveals care day events
4.  April open houses announced


OHS RESUMES LIBRARY OPERATION APRIL 2

Beginning April 2, the Oregon Historical Society's Research Library
will be open to the public 1-5 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays.

"We are glad to be able to establish these new hours and appreciate the
patience of our members and the public while board and staff planned
operations under our new economic realities. Veteran OHS library staff
and volunteers will be ready to serve the public," says George Vogt,
executive director of the Oregon Historical Society.

Visit www.OHS.ORG<http://www.ohs.org/> for more information regarding
the Oregon Historical Society and its Research Library.


SATURDAY's A BIG DAY AT EXTRAVAGANZA

The fourth and final day of the Northwest History and Heritage
Extravaganza won't lack for excitement. Beginning with a buffet of
breakfast and programs at 7:30 a.m. and including a handful of offsite
events, the formal conference activities conclude with a look at the
future of Northwest history and heritage at lunch.

The breakfast program menu includes the choice of the Pacific Northwest
History Conference Research Speaker, Melinda Jette, talking about
"'Grandmother was all French': Betwixt and Between in Old Oregon"; the
business meeting of Northwest Archivists; and The State of Oregon
Heritage session. Afterward, a digital and traditional poster session
begins as do two rounds of pre-lunch sessions.

The pre-lunch sessions include topics such as balancing sustainability
and historic preservation, harvesting community history in the 21st
century, military influences in the Northwest, struggles on the
political fronts, hidden archives and cultural record keepers in the
Northwest. The luncheon will include four people reflecting on the
Extravaganza and the future of history and heritage.

Off-site activities during the day include the Genealogical Forum of
Oregon's spring seminar, the Architectural Heritage Center's kitchen
tours, the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway's spring
highway tour, the Oregon Historical Society's Family Day and annual
meeting, and the Lone Fir Cemetery tour.

The Northwest History and Heritage Extravaganza will take place April
15-18 in Portland. For complete information about the conference and a
registration form, visit
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/Conference.shtml


OREGON 150 REVEALS CARE DAY EVENTS

Nearly 600 projects are scheduled in May for Take Care of Oregon Days,
one of six signature events commemorating 150 years of statehood. "Our
goal was to make this the largest volunteer project in the state's
history," said Mary Oberst, Oregon's First Lady and chair of the board
of Oregon 150. "We are pleased that so many Oregonians have stepped up
to lead truly amazing projects in their communities. We have exceeded
the original plan for 500 projects." 

Projects are planned in every county in the state, and in most
communities. The majority will take place on Saturday, May 16 but
projects can be found throughout the month of May. Volunteer
opportunities of all types are scheduled, including food drives,
community cleanups and beautification activities, community garden
development, senior support projects, tree and wildflower plantings,
support our troops projects, weed pulls, Habitat for Humanity home
building activities and many more. At the state library, volunteers will
repair and clean cassette players for Talking Books that are sent to
thousands of print-disabled Oregonians. Corvallis will hold a workshop
to train volunteers how to care for a state treasure, the rare WurliTzer
organ.  From refurbishing welcome signs to helping museums and
libraries, to recycling projects, an unprecedented array of volunteer
activities is available. The complete list can be found at
http://www.oregon150.org/projects/take-care-of-oregon/. 

Volunteers can find project details at the website and register online,
including the number of people in their groups. Project sites will be
closed as the maximum number of volunteers is reached so people are
encouraged to register early for the best selection of opportunities. 


APRIL OPEN HOUSES ANNOUNCED

April open houses for properties in the National Register of Historic
Places are scheduled in Astoria, Ashland, Gresham, Hood River, Portland
and Redmond.

The month*s schedule features the Jacob Zimmerman Heritage Farm and a
linear railroad district in Mt. Hood, along with 11 other buildings and
residences.  Owners receive tax relief under the state's special
assessment program, which freezes a property's assessed value for 15
years. 

In return for the special assessment benefit, a property owner must
invite the public to an open house 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.


A complete schedule of the open houses is on the Internet at
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/docs/openhouse_even_month.pdf   
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Oregon Heritage News is a service of the Oregon Heritage Commission,
which can be contacted at heritage.info at state.or.us