[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2008-11-13

[Heritage Info]

In this issue:
1.  GSA seeks to dispose of Portland Custom House
2.  Civil War veterans to be honored at Lone Fir
3.  Eugene talk covers bridges
4.  Governor declares Native American Heritage Month
5.  Grants available for veteran memorial projects.


GSA SEEKS TO DISPOSE OF PORTLAND CUSTOM HOUSE

The U.S. General Services Administration will hold a meeting at 6 p.m.
Nov. 13 at the U.S. Custom House located at 220 N.W. Eighth Ave.,
Portland, to present information and answer questions about the federal
disposal process.  The Custom House will open at 5:30 p.m. and the
meeting will begin at 6 p.m.. Additional staff will be present to answer
any questions about the building*s historic nature. There will be no
tours of the building provided.

GSA announced in September that it would dispose of the Custom House
after completing an in depth retention/disposal study.

The U.S Custom House was completed in 1901. The building was designed
by James Knox Taylor, supervising architect, U. S. Treasury Department.
It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Customs
Service occupied the building until it moved in 1968. The Corps of
Engineers occupied the building until the end of 2004. The building has
been vacant since that time. GSA has a stewardship responsibility for
this historic building through the disposal process and any one who
acquires the building will be required to maintain its historic status
as a part of the acquisition.


CIVIL WAR VETERANS TO BE HONORED AT LONE FIR

A free program concerning Oregon veterans which will be held at 9 a.m.
Nov. 15 at the Lone Fir Cemetery at SE 21st and Morrison streets in
Portland. The program is a recreation of the 145th anniversary of the
original dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery in November 1863. Over
260 Civil War Veterans are buried at Lone Fir. The Oregon Lincoln
Bicentennial Commission, along with the Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery and
the Portland State University Friends of History have researched and
assembled volunteer historians, Union re-enactors, a Lincoln playwright
and actor and historic cemetery cleaning and restoration experts to
honor the veterans.
 
During the afternoon's activities, there will be a lecture on "the
Gettysburg Address" by professor Elliott Trommald and a movie on the
Battle of Gettysburg. They will take place at 1 p.m. in Room 333 of the
Smith Center at PSU. For more information, contact  (503) 725-5473 or
visit the Oregon Lincoln Bicentennial Commission website at
http://www.ous.edu/lincoln/about.html


EUGENE TALK COVERS BRIDGES

The Lane County Historical Society will host an illustrated slide
presentation by noted Oregon covered bridge authority Bill Cockrell at 2
p.m. Nov. 16  at the Eugene Garden Club. The speaker is the current
president of The Covered Bridge Society of Oregon and author of
"Oregon's Covered Bridges." Refreshments will be served following the
presentation. The Eugene Garden Club is located at 1645 High St. The
event is free and is open to the public. For more information call
541-682-4242 or visit www.lanecountyhistoricalsociety.org 
  

GOVERNOR DECLARES NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Governor Ted Kulongoski has declared November to be Native American
Indian Heritage Month.

"The heritage and contribution of Native Americans and Indian tribes
help make Oregon economically, culturally and spiritually stronger,"
said the governor in his proclamation. "The month of November will be a
time for Oregonians to celebrate the heritage, culture, spirit and
contributions of American Indians."


GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR VETERAN MEMORIAL PROJECTS

Non-profit veterans* organizations can now apply for 2009 grants
available from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to help build
and restore veterans* and war memorials on public property.

Authorized by the Oregon Legislature in 2005, the lottery-supported
grants fund up to 80 percent of a project*s construction or
restoration costs. Organizations eligible for the funding must be based
in Oregon, or, like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars,
have chapters in the state. 

The application deadline is Dec. 12. A grant manual, application forms
and a detailed schedule are online at
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/GRANTS/veterans.shtml.

OPRD staff will offer technical help and information on the application
process at a workshop Nov. 13 in Salem. The workshop will be from 1-3:30
p.m. at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Cascade Hall, 2330 17th St. NE.
To register for the workshop, potential applicants should contact grants
coordinator Michele Scalise at 503-986-0708 or
michele.scalise at state.or.us.
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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