[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2012-09-04

Tue Sep 4 09:23:54 PDT 2012

In this Issue:
1. Exchange Discusses Emergency Preparedness Strategy 
2. Legislative Task Force to Meet Sept. 10
3. “Streetcars Build a City” Exhibit to Open Sept. 7
4. Rail Heritage Center Sets Grand Opening Sept. 22
5. Bull Run Powerhouse to commemorate 100 years Sept. 29

EXCHANGE DISCUSSES EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS STRATEGY

What can you do with limited time, staff and resources to effectively
prepare for the ferocious storm that causes flooding or high winds,
downed power lines and cut communication? Find out at Oregon Heritage
Exchange, http://oregonheritage.wordpress.com . 

LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE TO MEET SEPT. 10

The Legislative Task Force examining Oregon heritage vitality will meet
at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 10. The meeting, which is open to the public, will
take place in Room 124B of the North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer
St. NE, Salem. 

The 76th Legislative Assembly created the Task Force to study and
review several heritage-related laws and the effectiveness of heritage
organizations with education, tourism, preservation and economic
development. The Task Force will submit a report, including
recommendations, to the Legislature by Oct. 1.

The Legislative Assembly created the Task Force upon the request of the
Oregon Heritage Commission, which last year released a report
identifying eight major issues challenging more than 500 local, regional
and state heritage organizations in Oregon. Copies of the report are
available from the Oregon Heritage Commission, 725 Summer St. NE, Salem
OR 97301 or through the Task Force website at  
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/vitalitytaskforce.shtml

The Task Force is comprised of two legislators appointed by the Senate
President and the House Co-Speakers and 12 people appointed by Governor
John Kitzhaber who represent a variety of heritage constituencies
identified in the Task Force legislation.

More information about Task Force activities and the meeting may be
obtained from Kyle Jansson, coordinator of the Oregon Heritage
Commission at 503-986-0673 or by e-mail at kyle.jansson at state.or.us . 
The mission of the Oregon Heritage Commission is to secure, sustain, and
enhance Oregon's heritage by ensuring coordination of heritage
initiatives by public and private organizations; advocacy on behalf of
heritage; education of the public about its extent and value; and
promotion and celebration of its diversity.

The meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. Special
accommodations may be arranged up to 72 hours in advance by call
503-986-0690. 

“STREETCARS BUILD A CITY” EXHIBIT TO OPEN SEPT. 7

An opening reception for a new exhibit will take place from 6 – 8 p.m.
Sept. 7 in the Meyer Memorial Trust Gallery at the Architectural
Heritage Center, 701 SE Grand Ave., Portland. 

Streetcars played a vital role in Portland from the 1870s until the
1940s. They provided access to residential areas, serving neighborhoods
like Sunnyside, Montavilla, Laurelhurst, Alameda and Irvington with
affordable electric-powered trolleys. But the automobile changed the way
people moved about the city, marking the end of the line for streetcars.
Learn about the rise, fall and re-birth of the streetcar in Portland and
its impact on the city in this exhibit, created by curators Dan Haneckow
and Richard Thompson, author of “Portland’s Streetcars” and “Portland’s
Streetcar Lines”.

For further information, visit
www.visitahc.org/content/current-exhibits . 

RAIL HERITAGE CENTER SETS GRAND OPENING SEPT. 22

The Oregon Rail Heritage Center will celebrate its grand opening from
10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sept. 22 and 23 at 2250 SE Water Ave., Portland.

Located at the hub of rail activity, the new facility sits at the
junction of the Oregon Pacific (shortline) and Union Pacific (mainline)
railroads, and the future Eastside Streetcar and Portland-Milwaukie
Light Rail stations. The Center’s stars are three locomotives, donated
to the city of Portland in 1958, which sat at Oaks Amusement Park until
moved to the Brooklyn Roundhouse in southeast Portland. Three decades
and thousands of volunteer hours later, the Spokane, Portland and
Seattle (SP&S) 700 and the Southern Pacific (SP) 4449 are operating
steam locomotives; while the Oregon Railway and Navigation (OR&N) 197 is
undergoing restoration. 

The SP 4449 and SP&S 700 are part of a rare group of the largest six
steam locomotives operating in the world today. Built in 1938, the SP&S
700 pulled the Empire Builder and later provided passenger service from
Portland up the Columbia River Gorge to Spokane until retired in 1958.
Fully restored, she began operating again in 1990. The only operable
"streamlined" steam locomotive of the Art Deco era, the SP 4449 pulled
Southern Pacific "Daylight" coaches from Los Angeles to San Francisco
over the scenic Coast Route and then on to Portland until 1955, when the
14-year-old engine retired. In 1974, she underwent a complete
restoration specifically to pull the 1976 Bicentennial Freedom Train
throughout the U.S.  Built in 1905, the OR&N 197 arrived in Portland
just in time for the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition and
served Portland commerce for over 50 years before retirement in the
1950s. Volunteers began restoring 197 in 1996. 

Visitors will see witness 100 years of rail travel represented at the
new Center and rides will be available on the Eastside Streetcar for
free both days. For more information, visit
www.oregonrailheritagefoundation.org or call (503) 680-8895. 

BULL RUN POWERHOUSE TO COMMEMORATE 100 YEARS SEPT. 29

An open house will take place at the Bull Run Powerhouse to commemorate
100 years since it began producing electricity from 1 – 5 p.m., Sept.
29. Those wishing to attend should park at the former Roslyn Lake
Recreational Area, just west of the Bull Run Elementary School, 41515 SE
Thomas Rd., Sandy. Frequent shuttles will take visitors to and from the
event site.

Located six miles north of Sandy on the Bull Run River, the powerhouse
once held a crucial role in the Sandy community. As one of the first
hydroelectric generating plants in the Portland area, the Bull Run
Powerhouse provided electricity to the Portland area from 1912 until May
of 2008.  

Hosted by Powerhouse ReGen, the open house will offer viewing of
historic displays and the opportunity for visitors to tour the site for
the first time since it ceased producing power in 2009. 

For further information, visit www.savebullrun.org . 
-----------------

Oregon Heritage, part of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department,
provides technical support and services to people and organizations
documenting, preserving, interpreting and sharing Oregon's heritage.
Keep up with the latest issues and trends by following our blog at
oregonheritage.wordpress.com.

Oregon Heritage News is a service of the Oregon Heritage Commission.
Contact us by emailing heritage.info at state.or.us .
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