[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2008-09-04

[Heritage Info]

In this issue:
1. First Heritage Stewardship Certificate given
2.  Interpretation workshop to be offered in Ontario
3.  Portland to host museum group's annual meeting
4.  Task force sets additional meetings


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 


INTERPRETATION WORKSHOP TO BE OFFERED IN ONTARIO

A free public workshop to help museums, cemeteries, historic districts
and historic sites strengthen their education and interpretive programs
will take place Sept. 27 in Ontario.

*The day is designed to be fun and active,* said workshop leader
Kuri Gill, who has more than 10 years interpretive experience in museums
and historic locations. *Interpretation is a great way to capture
heritage tourism and make connections to your local community.*

While providing tools for inclusive and creative interpretation
efforts, workshop participants will examine websites, signs, brochures,
tours, living history and more. Participants will leave with
easy-to-implement ideas to highlight the special qualities of their
historic resource.

The workshop, which is called *Getting Your Site on the Map: Ideas
and Tools for Interpreting Historic Locations,* will take place from 9
a.m.-4 p.m. at the Four Rivers Cultural Center. 

The workshop is free of charge and is being offered along with several
other sessions that weekend by the Heritage Programs Division of the
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Other sessions will cover
Heritage Programs activities, National Register designation, and
cemetery marker repair and cleaning. For more information and
registration, contact Gill at Kuri.Gill at state.or.us or (503) 986-0685.

More information about the workshop and the historic cemeteries program
is posted at www.oregonheritage.org. 


PORTLAND TO HOST MUSEUM GROUP's ANNUAL MEETING

The Oregon Museums Association will conduct its annual meeting and
conference Oct. 4-6 at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in
Portland. The conference will include interactive presentations by OMSI
and a fun-filled Night At The Museum.  Additional presentations will be
made by Clackamas Heritage Partners, High Desert Museum, Museum of
Contemporary Crafts, Portland Children*s Museum and OMSI. Tours of
Portland-area museums have also been arranged.

The annual meeting will include committee reports, elections, and
current news from OMA members. Information and registration materials
are available at 
http://www.oregonmuseums.org/Page.asp?NavID=170


TASK FORCE SETS ADDITIONAL MEETINGS

Oregon*s Task Force on Historic Property will meet by teleconference
from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. Sept. 9, 19, and 26.  The members will discuss
the draft report to the Legislature. 
 
The teleconferences will be held at Oregon Parks and Recreation
Department headquarters in the North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St
NE, in Salem.  Public visitors are required to check in at the
department*s first-floor reception desk.
 
The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special
accommodations may be arranged up to 72 hours in advance by calling
503-986-0655. 
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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