[OR_Archaeology] Backhoe operator given Stewardship award for reporting discovery of human remains

[Susan White]

FIRST HERITAGE STEWARDSHIP CERTIFICATE GIVEN

Erica French was recently awarded the first Heritage Stewardship certificate of appreciation by the Heritage Programs Division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. French is the backhoe operator who discovered human remains while working at the PeaceHealth RiverBend location in Springfield. She immediately stopped her work and reported the finding.

"French's actions in noticing the potential burial site and immediately stopping work at the location exemplify the kind of stewardship Heritage Programs encourages and expects from all Oregonians," said Kuri Gill, the division's historic cemeteries program coordinator. The Heritage Stewardship certificate is designed to recognize people and publicize their conscientious efforts.

PeaceHealth officials responded quickly to French's find and enlisted the help of University of Oregon archaeologists and others to carefully and responsibly recover and examine human and material remains. A survey of the surrounding area to determine if other archaeological materials
might be present led to the discovery of additional gravesites. Historic records revealed that the RiverBend site is located on the land claim of William M. Stevens. In 1847, Stevens, his wife and the couple's 10 children traveled from Missouri to Oregon. Stevens is considered to be the first American settler in the area now occupied by the City of Springfield.

For more information on the certificate and how French's find was handled, visit http://www.oregonheritage.org/OPRD/HCD/HH.shtml