[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2008-08-01

[Heritage Info]

In this issue:
1.  Governor announces new Cultural Trust grants
2.  Geer farm to give tours on Aug. 2
3.  Historic tour planned in Clatsop County
4.  Work to begin Aug. 6 on UO museum expansion
5.  Portland schedules resource plan hearing
6.  Oregon 150 releases latest newsletter


GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES NEW CULTURAL TRUST GRANTS

The Oregon Cultural Trust announced today more than $1.65 million in grants that benefit cultural nonprofits in every county in Oregon. Trust grants for FY 2009 (July 1, 2008 -- June 30, 2009) increased 21 percent because of significantly increased donations from Oregon citizens and corporations, Trust officials said.

Governor Ted Kulongoski, who participated in the event, said "The Oregon Cultural Trust is the most powerful -- and important -- tool we have supporting cultural organizations; bringing art and culture to rural communities; and building our creative economy -- and the thousands of sustainable jobs that come with it."

Norm Smith, chairman of the Cultural Trust board, said that as Oregon approaches the 150th anniversary of statehood, the Trust felt it important to draw attention to the statewide significance of Oregon Cultural Trust grants. It awarded a number of major grants that speak directly to Oregon's heritage and history such as Oregon 150, OPB, the effort behind the installation of an iconic statue of former Governor Tom McCall in Salem's River Front Park, Rural Development Initiative's project to foster eco and cultural tourism along with several preservation projects and historical exhibits.

Christine D'Arcy, executive director of the Cultural Trust said, "We are grateful to the Governor, the First Lady, the legislature and the people of Oregon for their committed support of Oregon's arts, heritage and humanities nonprofits. These groups stimulate economic development, boost Oregon's quality of life, attract visitors, and support artists and cultural endeavors. We are pleased to be able to invest in their vital work. Those investments are made possible by Oregonians who contribute to the Cultural Trust and benefit from our state's unique 2 cultural tax credit. No other state in the nation has a cultural funding program like the Oregon Cultural Trust. "

D'Arcy also announced plans for Oregon's first statewide Day of Culture for Oct. 8, marking the sixth anniversary of passage of Oregon's cultural tax credit. The Trust plans to rally Oregon's cultural nonprofits to make their programming, artists, scholars and facilities as accessible as possible that day, and will organize public events in various sites across the state to draw attention to the breadth and vitality of Oregon culture.

The Trust's news release can be viewed at:
http://www.culturaltrust.org/about/press_releases/1Aug2008-TrustAnnouncesAdditionalGrants.php

The Trust's news release, including a complete list of grant recipients, can be viewed at:
http://www.culturaltrust.org/about/press_releases/FY09_Grants_Announcement_080108.pdf


GEER FARM TO GIVE TOURS ON AUG. 2

Historic GeerCrest Farm, the boyhood home of Silverton's famed Homer Davenport will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 2.  The open house will feature a time-line and guided tour of Homer Davenport's life (1867-1912) as well as access to the 1851 farmhouse listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. People can also view the State Heritage tree on the farm, the "Riding Whip Tree" planted by Davenport's mother, Florinda Geer in 1854.

GeerCrest is located 12 miles east of Salem and five miles south of Silverton at 12390 Sunnyview Rd. NE.  Also, tour buses from Coolidge-McClain Park in Silverton will run to GeerCrest on the hour. The open house coincides with Silverton's annual Davenport Days festival.


HISTORIC TOUR PLANNED IN CLATSOP COUNTY

The Clatsop County Historical Society's annual Astoria's Historic Homes Tour will be held from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Aug. 10. Tickets will be available for purchase starting Aug. 3 at the Flavel House Museum Carriage House Visitors Center, 714 Exchange St.  Tickets will also be available in front of the Liberty Theater, (corner of 12th and Commercial St.) on Aug. 3. For more information about this event or other Clatsop County Historical Society activities, please call 503-325-2203 or e-mail: cchs at cumtux.org 

Clatsop County Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of Clatsop County and the surrounding area.


WORK TO BEGIN AUG. 6 ON UO MUSEUM EXPANSION

On Aug. 6 , the Museum of Natural and Cultural History located on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene will celebrate the groundbreaking of a new wing to house state research collections. The public is invited to join U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio, university, museum, and community speakers at 11 a.m. for this event. The museum is open from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. and free to the public on this and every Wednesday. For more information visit http://natural-history.uoregon.edu. 


PORTLAND SCHEDULES AUG. 6 RESOURCE PLAN HEARING

The City of Portland is updating its comprehensive plan and the current  preliminary work program includes a section on historic and archaeological resources.  You can read the current draft at http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=199464 

At 2 p.m. Aug. 6, the City Council will be taking public testimony on the current draft of the work program.  The meeting is scheduled for City Hall, located
at 1221 SW 4th Ave.


OREGON 150 RELEASES LATEST NEWSLETTER

Oregon 150 has issued its latest newsletter. It includes a new Oregon story, tips for cities, and other information about the statehood sesquicentennial. To see a copy of it, go to: <http://emailer.emailroi.com/r.pl?3x3owzGgcegrSo1L_9f4185c6573a1c8d>
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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