[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2020-07-24

Fri Jul 24 15:20:52 PDT 2020

Oregon Heritage News 2020-07-24

In this issue:

  *   Talking about your organization’s value is more important than ever!
  *   Heritage Bulletin Resilience Series: Back to Basics
  *   Signage resources for Governor’s mask mandate
  *   Oregon Heritage Commission meeting Aug. 3
  *   Recently listed African American MPD featured on Oregon Heritage Exchange
  *   Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) Project webinar Aug. 4
  *   National Preservation Institute launces new preservation profiles podcast
  *   Great Oregon Steam-up designated an Oregon Heritage Tradition

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Talking about your organization’s value is more important than ever!

This week there have been many stories that have come out regarding threatened museums and historic preservation organizations due to the fallout of the pandemic.

Some of those stories include the following:

  *   TIME Magazine published an article titled "The Uncertain Future of Places That Preserve America's Past<https://458rl1jp.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Ftime.com%2F5870460%2Fmuseums-coronavirus%2F/1/010001737c755149-7ecc3711-db1e-41b3-a1e5-6aebc715bd27-000000/nlU6IXJBNn-YXTjNz0k4gK32pu0=172>"
  *   AASLH President & CEO John Dichtl wrote a piece emphasizing the urgent need for action to save history organizations in this time of crisis<https://458rl1jp.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Faaslh.org%2Fsave-museums-to-make-history%2F/1/010001737c755149-7ecc3711-db1e-41b3-a1e5-6aebc715bd27-000000/KfSYF9CPrin8asbNYu-PAYbAkCQ=172>
  *   a new report from the American Alliance of Museums<https://www.aam-us.org/2020/07/22/united-states-may-lose-one-third-of-all-museums-new-survey-shows/>
  *   OPB article “One-Third Of U.S. Museums May Not Survive The Year, Survey Finds<https://www.opb.org/news/article/npr-one-third-of-us-museums-may-not-survive-the-year-survey-finds/>”

While these articles may seem disheartening to those of you who are involved with heritage organizations, we encourage you to see it as a call to let your community know your value and also to let them know what you need to survive and continue preserving Oregon’s historical treasures.

One way to do this is by gathering those stories about the impact your organizations has had and the value of what you preserve. You can find examples of how to do this by visiting the Sharing the Value of Heritage Toolkit<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/tools.aspx> resource.

Stay strong and don’t lose hope. What you do is important so don’t lose sight of that.

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Heritage Bulletin Resilience Series: Back to Basics

Oregon Heritage staff is working on a new series of Heritage Bulletins designed to help organizations be resilient. This Resilience Series will focuses on best practices during recovery.

The first Bulletin in this series focuses on the board agenda and working on how to be most efficient with time and resources. It also helps outline a calendar for your board to review important policies and procedures in small bites throughout the year. Check out Heritage Bulletin 36: Board Agenda<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Documents/HB36_BoardAgendas2.pdf> for tips and tricks.

You can see a full list of all Heritage Bulletins here<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/TechnicalResources.aspx>.

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Signage and social media resources for Governor’s mask mandate

This week the Governor mandated that masks be required for ages 5 and up. We thought it would be good to remind folks of the signage resources that exist on the governor’s website to help you communicate effectively with your visitors and mitigate confrontations.

You can find those resources here<https://govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-face-coverings> in addition to social media templates here<https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19-social-media-toolkits>.

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Oregon Heritage Commission meeting Aug. 3

The Oregon Heritage Commission will meet via teleconference on August 3 at 9am. The agenda includes Oregon Heritage Tradition discussion, Oregon Cultural Trust partner funds approval, updates on the Oregon Heritage MentorCorps, and updates from commissioners. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Documents/OHC%20DRAFT%20Agenda%20August%202020.pdf> includes an opportunity for public comment.

The Heritage Commission is comprised of nine people representing Oregon's heritage and geographical diversity who have been appointed by the Governor. There are nine advisory representatives from state agencies and statewide organizations. 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 its behalf; education of the public about its extent and value; and promotion and celebration of its diversity. For more information, contact coordinator Katie Henry at 503-986-0671 or katie.henry at oregon.gov

Commission meetings are open to the public and their agendas include opportunities for public comment. The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting - including translation services - may be made by calling (503) 986‐0690 at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

For call-in details and the agenda or more information about the commission, visit www.oregonheritage.org<http://www.oregonheritage.org>.

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Recently listed African American MPD featured on Oregon Heritage Exchange

The recent approval of the National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation (MPD) of Portland’s African American Resources and the National Register nomination for Billy Webb Elk Lodge (Williams Avenue YWCA) marks a significant milestone towards more inclusive historic preservation efforts. Read more about this on the most recent Oregon Heritage Exchange Blog<https://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/2020/07/13/black-historic-places-matter/>.

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Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) Project webinar Aug. 4

Through the REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) Project<http://click.e.oclc.org/?qs=ce4b6f83e6ae43f4bb13471c2d52875909309762e5a410ec681621745e457d27a6117aa3f333989551c591260dfd1e1d>, OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle are conducting research on how long the COVID-19 virus survives on materials that are commonly handled in archives, libraries, and museums. Join staff from OCLC, IMLS, and Battelle for a free WebJunction webinar to learn more about the testing process, how to present results to your stakeholders, project resources to inform your local decisions, and what you can expect from the project in the months to come.

Register here.<https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/realm-testing-resource-overview.html?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=REALM+Project+August+4+webinar+invite&utm_campaign=&utm_term=REALM%20Project%20Email%20Updates>

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National Preservation Institute launces new preservation profiles podcast

A new podcast from the National Preservation Institute focuses on individuals who are shaping the field of preservation in the United States, with episodes discussing advocacy, laws and regulations, preservation planning, intangible aspects of historic preservation stewardship, and more. Read more.<https://458rl1jp.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fpreservationprofiles.org%2F/1/0100017373a489a3-ce2e4281-fc58-4736-9126-1a41607a37c4-000000/wrmjbMrL8T3b2_CcjKlDIKBM3Zk=171>

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Great Oregon Steam-up designated an Oregon Heritage Tradition

The Great Oregon Steam-up, a long-standing Oregon event, marks its upcoming 50th year with an Oregon Heritage Tradition designation by the Oregon Heritage Commission.

Other Oregon Heritage Traditions include the Oregon State Fair, Medford’s Pear Blossom Festival, the Pendleton Round-Up, and the Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana.

“The designation recognizes those traditions that have helped define the character of the state,” said Chelsea Rose, the commission’s chair. “The Great Oregon Steam-Up helps us celebrate Oregon’s agricultural history and learn about the early machinery and innovation that modern machines, vehicles, and farm equipment are based on.”

The Great Oregon Steam-up began in 1970 by a group of enthusiasts dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and operation of steam powered equipment and antique farm machinery and implements. The mission is to educate the public about the history and operation of machines. Today the Great Oregon Steam-up continues to serve as a gathering for “steam fiends” and the public. You can see equipment such as an operating gas engine that ran a dredge on the Snake River in the early 1900s and a steam powered sawmill that ran in an Oregon mill.

“What sets the Steam-Up apart from other events is the scale,” said Fair representatives. “Nothing else like this exists in Oregon. Additionally, each of the fourteen partner museums on campus step forward to showcase their museum.”

The Great Oregon Steam-Up wouldn’t be possible without the over 700 volunteers who maintain the site and run the event. The event adds to the impact of heritage tourism in Oregon and was recently named #9 in the 100 Best Fan-Favorite Destinations in Oregon. On average, the event brings in a total of 15,000 people over the course of it’s two weekends.

This is an unusual year for Heritage Traditions. COVID-19 has forced many events to cancel or restructure for the first time in their 50+ year history. The only other time Oregon Heritage events have cancelled has been due to WWI and WWII. This summer the Great Oregon Steam-up will be canceled, but Powerland Heritage Park will present 'Rollin' Thru Steam-Up', a drive through celebration of the innovations, stories, equipment and people that the campus of non-profits celebrates. During three remaining summer weekends guests can drive through Powerland’s sixty-two acre campus and enjoy the sites and features the independent museums and organizations have to offer. The gate fee of $20 per vehicle will help ensure the future of the Great Oregon Steam-Up. Event weekends: July 25th & 26th, August 1st & 2nd, 22nd & 23rd. Gates open 9am-5pm - family friendly.

More information can be found on their website at: www.powerlandheritagepark.com<http://www.powerlandheritagepark.com>.

An Oregon Heritage Tradition must have been in continuous operation for more than 50 years, demonstrate a public profile and reputation that distinguishes it from more routine events, and add to the livability and identity of the state. A list of Tradition designations is available at http://www.oregon.gov/oprd/HCD/OHC/pages/oht.aspx.

The Oregon Heritage Commission coordinates efforts to solve statewide heritage issues through grants, education, and advocacy, and also promotes heritage tourism efforts.

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Share your photos of Oregon’s heritage on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #oregonheritage.

Oregon Heritage News is a service of Oregon Heritage, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The news editor can be contacted at heritage.info at oregon.gov<mailto:heritage.info at oregon.gov>.

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