[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2010-01-06

[Heritage Info]

Happy New Year!

In this issue:
1.  Maritime museum to offer Columbia River history class
2.  Heritage Excellence Awards deadline nears
3.  Two Salem organizations merge
4.  Two organizations seek input
5.  Oregon City seeks consultant for project


MARITIME MUSEUM TO OFFER COLUMBIA RIVER HISTORY CLASS

The Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria will offer an 8-week
class beginning Jan. 12 about Columbia River history. 

The course is scheduled to meet from 10 a.m. to Noon Tuesdays.. Using
the collections and exhibits of the museum, the course will cover
maritime history of the Pacific Northwest.  Sea otters, John Jacob
Astor’s expeditions, Fletcher Class Destroyers, Coast Guard l Rescue
Swimmers, and the three forts at the mouth of the Columbia River are
some of the topics. 
	
People interested in learning how to lead tours through the Museum will
have the opportunity to sign up for additional training.  These sessions
are free of charge. People interested in attending the classes should
register with Jackie Welborn, Volunteer Coordinator, at 503-325-2323 by
Jan. 8 to secure a seat. 


HERITAGE EXCELLENCE AWARDS DEADLINE NEARS

The deadline for the 2010 Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards is nearing.
The awards recognize individuals, businesses and organizations for
outstanding efforts on behalf of Oregon heritage, draw public attention
to these efforts, and raise the quality of heritage-oriented
activities.

This year's awards will be presented April 9 at an Oregon Heritage
Regional Roundup in Oregon City. The Heritage Programs Division of the
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, which houses the Oregon Heritage
Commission and the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, will
present the awards.

Nominations are encouraged for exceptional and meritorious work by
organizations, businesses or individuals. Action over and above the
ordinary call of duty is an award prerequisite. Special consideration is
given to the development of new ideas, approaches and innovations. The
mere fulfillment of routine functions does not justify an award.

Nominations also are encouraged for organizations and projects of all
sizes and heritage purposes and for volunteers and professionals from
all heritage sectors. The Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards honor those
people and organizations who have made the most of available resources
and skills.

The complete nomination package includes three parts: cover sheet,
nomination, and supporting material. It is available at
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/award_info.shtml  Te deadline for
submissions is Jan. 20.


TWO SALEM ORGANIZATIONS MERGE

Mission Mill Museum and the Marion County Historical Society have
officially merged, creating the Willamette Heritage Center.

"This is a wonderful day for our community's heritage, taking two
healthy vibrant organizations dedicated to our region's rich history,
and combining them into one major resource," said Executive Director
Peter Booth.  "The Willamette Heritage Center will share a combined
vision to be a premier regional history and research center; while at
the same time promoting and increasing cultural and heritage tourism to
the site."

The immediate need for the new organization is to develop its future
goals and strategies.  The Oregon Community Foundation has awarded a
grant of $26,000 to assist with the strategic planning process, which
will include a community assessment and the development of a public
presentation.  

Celebratory events and community activities for February are being
planned to coincide with the organization's annual member meeting and
approval of  the  new by-laws.  A ribbon-cutting event will take place
on Feb. 16.   For more information, contact Booth at 503 585 7012. 


TWO ORGANIZATIONS SEEK INPUT

The Historic Preservation League of Oregon will be hosting a roundtable
on "Healthy Historic Districts in a Changing World - Compatibility and
Viability."  A survey asking Oregonians their opinions about historic
districts, whose results will be used at the roundtable, will collect
views at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HPLOsurvey until Jan. 15.

The Western Museums Association is re-organizing itself. To gather
information about how it can serve museums, it has created a survey at 
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9AM6CaGN0MFPHqP4DYCgzw_3d_3d 


OREGON CITY SEEKS CONSULTANT FOR PROJECT

The City of Oregon City is seeking consulting services to guide a
public process to develop a long-range operations plan for the End of
the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center site in Oregon City. Oregon City is
the official and federally recognized End of the Oregon Trail, as well
as the capital of the first provisional Oregon government. Located on
Abernethy Green, this site is where pioneers arrived to file their land
claims at Oregon City, the capitol of the Oregon Territory at that time.
Qualified consultants must have experience with historical tourism
activities; possess the ability to perform the scope of analysis as
needed; be able to work with City staff and community in examining
various ideas and in understanding the complexity of the issues; and
present status updates and final recommendations to the City Commission.
For a copy of the prospectus, visit
http://www.orcity.org/citymanager/request-proposal-eotic 
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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