[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2009-03-05

Thu Mar 5 15:57:46 PST 2009

In this issue:
1.  Oberst, Sidway honored by Main Streets Center
2.  Oregon City facilities to suspend operations
3.  Cemeteries commission to meet in Newport
4.  Tourism town hall set for March 17 in LaGrande
5.  Deadline extended for heritage tourism nominations
6.  OHS to host open discussion for members
7.  Job opening in Jacksonville

OBERST, SIDWAY HONORED BY MAIN STREETS CENTER

Oregon First Lady Mary Oberst and business leader Barbara Sidway have
been honored by the National Main Streets Center as recipients of the
2009 National Main Street Leadership Awards for their efforts in
restoring the Oregon statewide Main Street program and rekindling
economic revitalization efforts. 

Sidway was co-chair of the National Trust for Historic Preservation*s
2005 national conference in Portland. Building off the momentum and
interest generated by the conference, Oberst, who joined the National
Trust Board of Advisors at the conference, and Sidway, with the
assistance of Anthea Hartig, Western Office, National Trust of Historic
Preservation, decided to keep the conference task force alive to focus
on other Oregon preservation issues. They determined a key goal was
revival of Oregon*s statewide Main Street coordinating program, which
had been inactive since 1998. Within just two years, the task force
successfully worked with Governor Kulongoski to restore funding for the
program. Last year, Oregon Main Street hired its first staff member and
is working in almost 50 communities. 

*Mary Oberst and Barbara Sidway are the driving forces behind the
rebirth of Oregon*s statewide Main Street program,* said Richard
Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. *Both
of them worked tirelessly to bring Oregon*s program back to life, and
their efforts are already bearing fruit-communities across the state
have already embraced the Main Streets program and are successfully
using it to breathe new life into their commercial districts.* 

The National Trust Main Street Center has been empowering communities
throughout the U.S. to engage local stakeholders to lead historic
preservation-based commercial district revitalization efforts for over
25 years. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) is a past recipient of the
center's award for his advocacy of historic post offices throughout the
country. For more information about the Main Street program and its
widespread successes over the years, visit www.mainstreet.org.  

OREGON CITY FACILITIES TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS

The Clackamas Heritage Partners board of directors voted to suspend
museum operations at its Oregon City facilities by the second week in
March unless new funding is found.  The End of the Oregon Trail
Interpretive Center, Museum of the Oregon Territory, and Stevens
Crawford House are affected.

The board took this action in the face of declining visitor revenues,
grants, and contributions.  As is true for many businesses, the December
snow closure led to lost revenue.  Attendance in 2008 was almost equal
to 2007 and up from 2006 but per visitor revenues declined.

Since its formation in 2004, the organization has implemented numerous
measures to cut costs and has simultaneously demonstrated innovative
approaches to delivering new services and serving new audiences, its
news release said.  In 2006 the organization's Historic Oregon City Pass
won a state award for innovative
tourism product of the year. Since 2007, the organization has been debt
free.

The news release said the board's evaluation of the organization's
liquidity and failure to identify new, near term sources of revenue made
the decision inevitable.
Board members believed suspension is essential to provide good
stewardship of the organization's remaining resources.   CHP is not
dissolving and the board hopes to find the means to reopen.

Clackamas Heritage Partners formed in 2004 at the urging of community
partners and funders to create a more efficient operating model for the
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, the Museum of the Oregon
Territory, and the Stevens Crawford House in Oregon City.  The
organization serves over 10,000 students annually and draws tens of
thousands of other visitors as well.   CHP's primary funding comes
through earned revenues, gifts and grants.   Apart from a contract to
provide visitor information services at the End of the Oregon Trail
site, CHP does not receive regular public funding. 

For more information, contact David Porter at  503.557.1151 extension
106 or  trlboss at att.net 

CEMETERIES COMMISSION TO MEET IN NEWPORT

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries will be visiting Newport
on March 6 and 7. The Commission will hold its public meeting and three
workshops at the Oregon Coast History Center, 545 SW Ninth St.

Friday*s events include Volunteer Action Training with SOLV and
Oregon 150 from 9 a.m.-noon, the Commission Meeting from 1-4 p.m. and a
tour at Eureka Cemetery beginning at 5:15 p.m.  Saturday*s workshops
include the Designing Projects for Successful Grants Workshop from 9
a.m.-11 a.m. and the Interpretation Basics: New Perspectives to Broaden
Interest Workshop from 1 p.m.-4 p.m..

The public is encouraged to participate at all events.

TOURISM TOWN HALL SET FOR MARCH !7 in LA GRANDE

An open conversation about the perceptions and realties of Oregon's
tourism and hospitality industry as it relates to the business
environment in Oregon will take place from 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. March 17
at the Blue Mountain Conference Center, 404 12th St., LaGrande. 

Eastern Oregon Visitors Association, in coordination with Travel
Oregon, Oregon Business Magazine, and local destination marketing
organizations will offer a roundtable  to bring out the perceptions and
reality.  This town hall is part of a statewide discussion instigated by
Oregon Business Magazine and Travel Oregon regarding business and
tourism and their relationship in Oregon. Todd Davidson, executive
director of Travel Oregon will be one of the participants.

To register, contact eova at eoni.com or phone 541-856-3356

DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR HERITAGE TOURISM NOMINATIONS

The deadline for nominations for the annual Oregon Tourism &
Hospitality Industry Achievement Awards has been extended until March
13. The awards recognize the accomplishments of individuals,
organizations, communities, businesses, and regions. Anyone may submit a
nomination for the seven awards to be presented at the 
Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism during April in Salem. 

The awards recognize achievements made during the 2008 calendar year
for outstanding ideas, effective partnerships, sustainable practices,
preservation of Oregon's history and its natural beauty, volunteerism,
and enhancement of the industry. For more information, visit 
<http://www.oregontourismconference.com/index.php?page=tourism-industry-awards>

Direct any questions about the nomination process to
Patti at TravelOregon.com   

OHS TO HOST OPEN DISCUSSION FOR MEMBERS

The Oregon Historical Society will host an open discussion session for
members at 4 p.m. March 17 in its Miller Pavillion, 1200 SW Park Ave.,
Portland. The OHS board of trustees will welcome  comments and questions
about the society*s budget reductions and our plans for the future.
For more information, visit
http://www.ohs.org/research/library/index.cfm or phone (503)
222-1741.

JOB OPENING IN JACKSONVILLE

The Southern Oregon Historical Society seeks an Executive Director to
serve as primary spokesperson and visionary leader during exciting and
trying times.  Founded in 1946, the Society manages nine properties,
including a historic working farm, two museums, and a collection of
close to 200,000 artifacts.  The Society employs 16 people, and has a
budget of $650,000.  For information, visit www.sohs.org.  Application
deadline is March 27.
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Oregon Heritage News is a service of the Oregon Heritage Commission,
which invites you to attend the Northwest History and Heritage
Extravaganza April 15-18 in Portland. For conference information, visit
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/Conference.shtml