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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In This Issue:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">1. Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeways Open</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">2. <SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">NPS Announces American Latino Theme Study <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">3. <SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">SOHS Opens “Early Days of Automobiles” Display<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">COVERED BRIDGES SCENIC BIKEWAY OPENS</P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Oregon Tourism Commission recently announced the opening two new state-designated scenic bikeways, including the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway in Cottage Grove. Featuring an all-ages, all-abilities cycling experience that is perfect for families, this 36-mile route boasts six covered bridges, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The route passes Chambers Bridge, the only covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi. <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 5pt; COLOR: #600708; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 5pt; COLOR: #600708; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'"><BR></SPAN>For further information on Oregon's scenic bikeways, visit www.<A href="http://emailer.emailroi.com/go2.shtml?CgS2pbQEXiy4QX2D/bc83918191e54076/45f69d884bcccb9a/heritage.info@state.or.us"><SPAN style="COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none">rideoregonride.com</SPAN></A> ; for detailed maps and route descriptions, visit www.<A href="http://emailer.emailroi.com/go2.shtml?CgS2pbQEXiy4QX2D/ac7730c207311ed2/45f69d884bcccb9a/heritage.info@state.or.us"><SPAN style="COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none">oregonscenicbikeways.org</SPAN></A> .</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><BR><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 5pt; COLOR: #600708; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'"><BR></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">NPS ANNOUNCES AMERICAN LATINO THEME STUDY <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">The National Park Service (NPS) is undertaking the preparation of the American<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Latino Theme Study that will increase opportunities for the public to learn about the role of American Latinos in the development of the nation. The NPS Advisory Board recently established the American Latino Scholars Expert Panel to advise the NPS on the theme study’s structure, potential authors, and major sources of information. This study will serve as a model for additional theme studies that address other ethnic groups in the United States.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">American Latino historic places are underrepresented in official recognition programs at all levels. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The theme study will evaluate Latino-related places for historical significance in communities nationwide and the potential nomination of these places to the National Register of Historic Places and for National Historic Landmark designation. The expert panel welcomes suggestions from the public about American Latino historic places and stories associated with them that could be added to the “study list”, which forms a part of the theme study.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Do you know of an American Latino site of significance? It may be in your community; it may recognize civil rights struggles; local culture, such as murals; historic trails; and migration routes or in national parks managed by the NPS or on lands managed by the Federal government or state, tribal, and local governments.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No matter where the site is located within the boundaries of the United States, the NPS wants to hear about it.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Send the name of the property, its location, and a few sentences about why it is important and why it tells an important story to <A href="mailto:American_Latino_Heritage@nps.gov"><SPAN style="COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-DECORATION: none; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-underline: none">American_Latino_Heritage@nps.gov</SPAN></A> . <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Visit <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><A href="http://www.nps.gov/history/crdi/latino.html"><SPAN style="COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-DECORATION: none; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-underline: none">http://www.nps.gov/history/crdi/latino.html</SPAN></A> for further information or contact Antoinette J. Lee by email toni_lee@nps.gov or by phone (202) 354-2272.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">SOHS OPENS “EARLY DAYS OF AUTOMOBILES” DISPLAY<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The Southern Oregon Historical Society (SOHS) recently opened a display of artifacts and photos related to the early days of automobiles in the Rogue Valley. Located in the SOHS windows at the corner of Central and Eighth in Medford, the display is viewable 24 hours a day through February. Included among the many artifacts are a 1912 chain tire, a duster worn by the Hanleys, and photographs of the first trip to the top of Table Rock. </P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">To read about the “Early Days of Automobiles” visit <A href="http://www.sohs.org/"><FONT color=#800080>www.sohs.org</FONT></A> . For further information contact Pat Harper at (541) 858-1724.<o:p></o:p></P><BR><BR>-----------------<BR>Save the dates for the 2012 Oregon Heritage Conference: April 26 - 28!<BR><BR>Oregon Heritage News is a service of the Oregon Heritage Commission.<BR>Contact us by emailing heritage.info@state.or.us .<BR></SPAN></BODY></HTML>