[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2009-08-04

[Heritage Info]

In this issue:
1. Nineteen to be added to Century Farm, Ranch list
2. Historic cemetery grant applications available
3.  IMLS announces preservation grant guidelines
4.  NEH offering sets two rounds of  humanities projects
5.  The Dalles to feature historic wheels, wagon train
6.  Silverton celebration includes historic farm activities


NINETEEN TO BE ADDED TO CENTURY FARM, RANCH LIST

Seventeen farms and two ranches from 11 different counties will
officially become an Oregon Century Farm or Ranch at a ceremony at Sept.
5 at the Oregon State Fair. 

The ceremony honors those families that have owned and managed the same
farm or ranch for more than a century. The honorees will bring the total
number of Oregon Century Farms and Ranches in more than 1,100. The
public is invited to join the Oregon Agricultural Education Foundation
and its major partners, the Oregon Farm Bureau, the Oregon State
Historic Preservation Office, Oregon Travel Information Council, the
Oregon Department of Agriculture, and the Oregon Historical Society for
this event at 3 p.m. outside the new State Fair Tower on the state
fairgrounds in Salem.

The farms to be honored are:  Larry and Sheri Bartels, Marion County;
Marie Brady, Douglas County; Helen A. Carleton, Klamath County; Glen L.
Ek, Clackamas County; James B. Greiner, Gilliam County; Robert J.
Hoffman, Clackamas County; Henry Jaeger and William Jaeger, Gilliam
County; Doris Knox, Washington County; Leonard & Carol Obersinner,
Marion County; Dan and Ann Louise Peters, Marion County; Herbert Luther
Peterson, Morrow County; Robert and Sharon Shelburne, Yamhill County;
James J. Schlechter, Marion County; Byron Scott Farms / Jenks, Linn
County; Byron Scott Farms / Knighton, Linn County; Timothy A. and Mary
L. Sowa, Clackamas County; and the Van Horn Vineyards, Hood River
County. The ranch families receiving the Century award are: Steve
Gilbert, Linn County; and Dement Ranch, Curry County.

The roadside signs for the 2009 award honoree families will be provided
to them free, thanks to a grant from the Oregon Travel Information
Council. For information about the Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Program
and its newest program, the Sesquicentennial Award (for 150-year family
farms and ranches in Oregon), contact program coordinator Glenn Mason at
orcentury at juno.com.


HISTORIC CEMETERY GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Historic cemetery advocates may now apply for 2009 state grants to help
preserve cemeteries throughout Oregon. Application forms are available
through the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s Heritage Programs
website, www.oregonheritage.org, or by calling 503-986-0685. The
application deadline is Sept. 30.

Funded by state lottery dollars, the grants provide financial support
for protection and security; restoration and preservation; education and
training; research and interpretation, and projects supporting the
commemoration of Oregon’s sesquicentennial. Examples of projects
eligible for funding include security fencing or lighting; skilled
monument repair or training; conservation of historic elements such as
fencing, curbs, markers, etc.; documentation and mapping; signage;
landscape restoration; planning, and interpretation.

The department has awarded about $172,000 in two rounds of grants since
the program began in 2004. The grants have supported 141 projects,
ranging from restorations of small family plots to work in large city
cemeteries. 

Potential applicants may contact Historic Cemeteries Program
Coordinator Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or Kuri.Gill at state.or.us for more
information on the grant program and to discuss projects. 


IMLS ANNOUNCES PRESERVATION GRANT GUIDELINES

The Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Bank of America
Charitable Foundation have announced guidelines for the American
Heritage Preservation Program. This public-private partnership will fund
the preservation of endangered and fragile art works, rare books,
scientific specimens, and historical documents (photographs, maps,
deeds, etc.) held in small and medium-sized museums, archives, and
libraries. 

The grants of up to $3,000 are aimed at completing stand-alone
conservation projects that convey the essential character and experience
of the United States. Examples of fundable projects are provided in the
grant guidelines.

To access application guidelines instructions, visit
www.imls.gov/collections/grants/boa.htm. The deadline for
applications is Sept. 15. For questions about museum projects, contact
Christine Henry at 202-653-4674. For questions about library or archival
projects, contact Kevin Cherry at 202-653-4662.


NEH TO PRESENT TWO ROUNDS OF HUMANITIES PROJECTS

The Division of Public Programs at the National Endowment for the
Humanities funds humanities projects that are intended for broad public
audiences at museums, libraries, historic sites and other historical and
cultural organizations. New application guidelines are now posted on the
NEH website at www.neh.gov for its America's Historical and Cultural
Organizations and Interpreting America's Historic Places grant
competitions. The next two deadlines are Aug. 26, 2009, and Jan. 13,
2010.

Grants support interpretive exhibitions, reading or film discussion
series, historic site interpretation, lecture series and symposia, and
digital projects.  NEH especially encourages projects that offer
multiple formats and make creative use of new technology to deliver
humanities content.

Program officers in the Division of Public Programs are available to
assist you, whether it is to discuss project ideas or to read a draft of
a proposal. Call the NEH Division of Public Programs at 202-606-8269 to
talk with a program officer. 


THE DALLES TO FEATURE HISTORIC WHEELS, WAGON TRAIN

Vintage vehicle collectors have the opportunity Sept. 19 to help Oregon
commemorate its sesquicentennial when the Historic The Dalles Days
celebration welcomes the “Wheels 150” parade, a “progression
through time” from the oldest horse-drawn wagons to recent classics of
the automotive golden age. Historic The Dalles Days, Sept. 18-20, is an
official Oregon 150 event.

The goal of Wheels 150 is to select at least one vehicle to represent
each model year, starting in the late 19th century. The parade will
commence with the Wasco County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse Color Guard 
and horse-drawn wagons, followed by the oldest automobiles, progressing
year by year through model year 1959. All entries must be original or
restored close to original condition, and in running condition. There
will be no floats. Trophies will be awarded. 

The parade will be joined by the Oregon Statehood Wagon Train led by
Wyoming wagon master Ben Kern, who will be completing a journey that is
expected to begin began Aug. 10 at Huntington. The Wheels 150 parade
will conclude with the vintage vehicles on display for the public and
trophy presentation at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco
County Historical Museum, just west of The Dalles, at 5000 Discovery
Drive.

The application can be downloaded from www.historicthedalles.org.
Application and entry fee deadline is Sept. 1 and should be mailed to:
Wheels 150, PO Box 1140, The Dalles, OR 97058. For more information
contact Ron Bales at 541-298-8396, or email: rbalescpa at mybluelight.com.

Historic The Dalles Days features a variety of other events from Sept.
18-20. For a complete event schedule, or information about Historic The
Dalles Days and the Oregon Statehood Wagon Train, visit the website at
www.historicthedalles.org or call The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce
at (541) 296-2231 or 800-255-3385


SILVERTON CELEBRATION TO INCLUDE HISTORIC FARM ACTIVITIES

Homer Davenport Days, which honors Silverton's most famous son, will
coincide with activities Aug. 8-9 at the nearby GeerCrest Farm, 12390
Sunnyview Rd. NE. It was established in 1848 by Ralph and Mary Geer, who
contributed to the unfolding of community life, economic development and
political maturation of Oregon. Their descendants continued to add to
the  place, including Homer Davenport, who spent much time at the farm
during his growing up years. The farm is currently maintained and
managed by the fifth generation of Geer relations. Two buildings are
listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a State Heritage
Tree graces the property.

The farm will feature from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. exhibits depicting life
around 1850, tours, wool processing and spinning, fresh cream and
berries to eat, music and storytelling. Davenport Arabian horses will
gather at the farm with their owners telling the tale of Homer bringing
the Bedouin horses to this country.

GeerCrest Farm will also have a booth at the Davenport Days Festival.
Its booth at Coolidge-McClaine Park in Silverton will also be the
gathering point for a shuttle ride to the farm. For more information,
call  (503) 873-3406 or visit www.geercrest.org 
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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