[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2009-05-14

[Heritage Info]

In this issue:
1.  Bicycle route map features heritage sites
2.  Police exhibit opening includes bagpipes, horses
3.  Portland gets early taste of new TV episode
4.  Openings and closings at heritage sites


BICYCLE ROUTE MAP FEATURES HERITAGE SITES

A guide to a newly signed Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway is now
online at http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/BIKE.

Intended to provide cyclists with all the guidance needed to follow the
127-mile route, the online tour includes printable maps as well as
information on places to camp, historic points of interest, side trips
and diversity of agriculture seen along the way.

The northern end of the bikeway is at Champoeg State Heritage Area, the
site of an 1843 meeting that led to Oregon's first provisional
government. From Willamette Mission State Park to the south, the bikeway
continues southward on a revised route east instead of west of the
Willamette River through Salem, Albany and Brownsville. The south end of
the route is in Armitage County Park north of Eugene.

The web guide divides the bikeway into four segments: Champoeg State
Heritage Area to Salem; Salem to Albany; Albany to Brownsville, and
Brownsville to Armitage County Park. The maps include elevation profiles
of each segment and detailed maps of Keizer, Salem and Albany.

First conceived by Cycle Oregon, the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway
is Oregon's first and, thus far, only designated Oregon Scenic Bikeway.
It is recognized as a prototype for future state scenic bikeways-routes
that offer cyclists access to outstanding scenic, historic and natural
settings. The Oregon Scenic Bikeway Committeeis charged with designating
such routes after evaluating nominations by the public. 


POLICE EXHIBIT OPENING INCLUDES BAGPIPES, HORSES

The Portland Police Historical Society open an exhibit in the Collins
Gallery of the Central Library of Portland from 2-3:30 p.m. May 16 with
the Portland Police Highland Guard Bagpipe Band, police horses, police
dogs, short speeches and refreshments.

Visitors to the exhibit learn about the Portland Police Bureau, the
Portland Police Highland Guard Band and the Police Memorial in
Waterfront Park. Topics include current and historical areas of
interest, including crime scene technology, police animals (including
Harley, the drug-sniffing pig), first female officer Lola Baldwin, the
100-year anniversary of the traffic division and more. May is National
Police Memorial Month. 

The exhibit is located on the third floor of the library, 801 S.W. 10th
Ave., and will be on display until June 25. For more information,
contact Portland Police Historical Society Museum Director Jim Huff at
503.823.0019.


PORTLAND GETS EARLY TASTE OF NEW TV EPISODE

The Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission and Oregon Public Broadcasting
will present "A Cuisine of Our Own" - a new episode of OPB's Oregon
Experience series  -- 7:30 p.m. May 19 at  First Unitarian Church, SW
12th & Salmon in downtown Portland. Admission is free. The screening
will be followed by a brief program on chef James Beard and the making
of the film.

"A Cuisine of Our Own" explores the food environment of James Beard's
childhood and chronicle the role of this man in shaping the way
Oregonians think about food. 
Born in Portland in 1903, Beard lived his first 20 years in Oregon,
spending summers on the coast in Gearhart. "These days on the Oregon
shore were among the most memorable in my life," he wrote in Delights
and Prejudices, where "we went to the sea for our food, and it sustained
us perfectly."

Throughout his life, Beard had a gift: an extremely good sense of
taste. He could remember flavors much like a person with a photographic
memory recalls images. Fortunately for him, he grew up in a world of
excellent food. His mother Elizabeth and her former chef, later cooking
partner Jue Let helped shaped the young James into the titan of cooking
he became. His career unfolded largely in New York City, but Beard
returned to Oregon frequently and forever championed his home state as a
food-lover's paradise.

The program will be broadcast by public television stations in Oregon
beginning at 9 p.m. May 21.

 
OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS AT HERITAGE SITES

Three Oregon City museums have reopened after closing for more than a
month due to financial issues. 

*Our volunteers and supporters pushed through with a show of public
support that moved CHP close to the $40,000 required for a match from
the county,* said Clackamas Heritage Partners board president, Dan
Fowler. *It is because of the overwhelming support the community has
given that this is possible.*

Operations were suspended March 9 this year at End of the Oregon Trail
Interpretive Center, Museum of the Oregon Territory, and the
Stevens-Crawford House due to the economic downturn.  For further
information the public can call 503.657.9336 ext 114 or email
kathi at endoftheoregontrail.org 

Meanwhile, Thompson*s Mills State Heritage Site will be open on
weekends, but closed on weekdays from May 18-July 3 for repairs on the
building*s roof. The mill*s weekend hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Guided
tours are given upon request. Tour information is available by calling
541-491-3611. Thompson*s Mills State Heritage Site is three miles east
of Shedd on Highway 99E south of Albany. 
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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