[Heritage] Regional Heritage Roundups to Address Survey Findings

[Heritage Info]

A draft Oregon Heritage Vitality Report, which features results of the
recent heritage assessment survey, will be one of the centerpieces of
the Oregon Heritage Regional Roundups.

The Regional Roundups are substituting this year for the Oregon
Heritage Conference, which will resume in 2011. The Roundups will take
place April 9 in Oregon City, April 22 in Jacksonville and April 29 in
LaGrande. A registration form is available at
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/Conference.shtml

“Opening Doors in the New Decade” is the theme of the roundups.
Attendees will participate in seminars and workshops, as well as shape
plans for their organization and for statewide heritage efforts.

Perhaps the first report of its kind in the country, the draft Heritage
Vitality Report will be presented publicly for the first time at the
Roundups. The report will describe the current financial and
organizational health of heritage and heritage organizations in the
state. It will also include both quantitative and qualitative
information, as well as break outs of data compiled by county. 

“We think the report and the information in it will prompt lively and
thoughtful discussion about the many serious heritage issues facing our
state,” said Kyle Jansson, coordinator of the Oregon Heritage
Commission which is developing the report. “It will also give
Oregonians facts on which to build long-term plans for communities,
regions and the state.”

The report is based in part on surveys about archives, archaeology,
certified local governments, Main Street programs, museums and historic
preservationists in the state. The surveys’ more than 300 respondents
provided information about both current operations and potential future
challenges.

In addition to the Heritage Vitality Report presentation, the Oregon
Heritage Regional Roundups will also include sessions on key concepts
and resources to connect with tourists and the tourism sector, and a
hospitality workshop to help participants build plans and relationships
to make their organizations, facilities and communities more accessible
and welcoming to both community members and tourists.

A final workshop will enable participants to identify community and
regional resources to strengthen their heritage organization.

There will be two additional events at the Oregon City conference,
including the 2010 Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards presentation that
will highlight people, projects and organizations that have accomplished
much with their available resources.

Also, the three university students selected as Oregon Heritage Fellows
will make presentations about the Oregon history topics they have
researched. The students were chosen in a competition last fall and
reflect the best of upcoming heritage scholars.