[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2025-10-31

Fri Oct 31 13:33:13 PDT 2025

Oregon Heritage News 2025-10-31
In this Issue:

  *   Save the Date! 2024 Oregon Heritage Conference, April 29-May 2, Woodburn
  *   Oregon Heritage Commission meets online Nov. 3 for grant approval
  *   Nov. 13 Virtual Lunch & Learn for Consultants: Creating and Using MPDs in Oregon
  *   Oregon Heritage Exchange Blog: How Women are Lost in Cemeteries
  *   OVERDUE Podcast - Episode Re-Release featuring Indigenous Systems of Knowledge
  *   Oregon Artswatch article on upcoming OPB documentary "Uncovering Boarding Schools"
  *   America 250 Oregon Commission Announces Oregon 250 Grant Program First Round Awardees
  *   American Alliance of Museum blog post on the Promise and Peril of AI
  *   Properties recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places

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Save the Date! 2024 Oregon Heritage Conference, April 29-May 2, Woodburn
2026 Oregon Heritage Conference<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/heritageconference.aspx>:
Stories, Culture, Place - Weaving Community Heritage
April 29-May 2, Woodburn
In partnership with the City of Woodburn<https://www.woodburn-or.gov/> and Oregon Museums Association<https://www.oregonmuseums.org/>
The Oregon Heritage Conference<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/heritageconference.aspx> brings together people who share a common passion for Oregon’s heritage and history to share insights, understand connections, develop relationships, learn new ways to address issues and opportunities, reinforce the value of the work, and leave energized to keep moving forward.
Designed to be interdisciplinary and cross-pollenating, the conference focuses on all sectors of cultural heritage, such as historic preservation, museums, archives, libraries, Main Streets, historic cemeteries, archaeology, Tribes, genealogy, public history, and local, state, federal government.
Communities are complex and varied, how they are viewed by visitors and residents is informed by the long history of human experience in that place and their own experiences. The 2026 Oregon Heritage Conference will explore the intersection of stories, culture and place to develop community heritage. This heritage is the anchor for participation, economic development, connection, and possibilities for a vibrant and healthy community.
Information about the conference can be found here<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/heritageconference.aspx>. A preliminary schedule of events and session descriptions will be available in January with registration opening in February.
Thank you to our conference sponsors:
Platinum Conference Sponsor: Oregon Corrections Enterprises<https://oce.oregon.gov/>
Heritage Excellence Awards Sponsor: Oregon Historical Society<https://www.ohs.org/>
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Oregon Heritage Commission meets online Nov. 3 for grant approval
The Oregon Heritage Commission will meet via zoom at 1:00 p.m. on November 3. Its agenda includes approval of 2025 Oregon Heritage Grants.

This meeting is open to the public and there is an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting for public comment. Public comment can be made online or by written submission. For online attendance, registration is required. To view the full agenda, register for the virtual meeting, or learn more about public comment options, visit here<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/Commissions.aspx#ohc>.

The Heritage Commission’s nine Governor appointed members represent a diversity of cultural, geographic, and institutional interests. The Commission’s nine advisory members include representatives from the Oregon State Library, Oregon State Archives, State Historical Records Advisory Board, Higher Education Coordinating Committee, Travel Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, Department of Education, State Historic Preservation Office, and the Department of Land Conservation and Development.
The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Documents/2020_Oregon_Heritage_Plan.pdf>, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary commemorations.

More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission is available online at www.oregonheritage.org<http://www.oregonheritage.org/> and from Commission coordinator Katie Henry at 503-877-8834 or katie.henry at oprd.oregon.gov<mailto:katie.henry at oprd.oregon.gov>.

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Nov. 13 Virtual Lunch & Learn for Consultants: Creating and Using MPDs in Oregon
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 11:30am-12:45pm (PST)

  *   Presentation: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
  *   Q&A: 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM (Pacific)
Register via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ymOlyI_XTm2jzEnqaLwOHA
On Thursday, November 13, Oregon Heritage invites historic preservation professionals to a virtual Lunch & Learn exploring the application and utility of Multiple Property Documentation (MPD) Forms in Oregon. The session will include a pre-recorded training video and a live Q&A hosted by Oregon Heritage staff, offering space to explore how MPDs can support National Register of Historic Places nominations and contribute to broader preservation planning in Oregon.
The session will begin at 11:30 AM with a screening of the training video, which is also available here on youtube<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBOfA-3guLk>. At 12:15 PM, we’ll transition to a live Q&A and discussion hosted by Caity Abrahms, National Register Program Coordinator at Oregon Heritage/SHPO. Whether you attend the full session or just drop in for the Q&A, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with peers and staff on approaches to creating and using MPDs in Oregon.
This Lunch & Learn is part of a broader project contracted by Oregon Heritage and carried out by consultants Northwest Vernacular and Sarah J. Martin Cultural Resource Services to support the evaluation and expanded use of MPDs in Oregon. Additional materials from the project—including a comprehensive report, updated guidance documents, and training tools—are available here<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/tools.aspx#mpd>.
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Oregon Heritage Exchange Blog: How Women are Lost in Cemeteries

Charlotte Lehan, former member of the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/oh/pages/historic-cemeteries-program.aspx> and current President of Pleasant View Cemetery Association<http://www.pleasantviewcemetery.org/>, shines a light on how women are lost in cemeteries on the most recent post in the Oregon Heritage Exchange Blog. Read more<https://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/how-women-are-lost-in-historic-cemeteries/>.

Check out more stories related to Oregon’s Historic Cemeteries here<https://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/tag/historic-cemeteries/>.

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OVERDUE Podcast - Episode Re-Release featuring Indigenous Systems of Knowledge
A RE-RELEASE EPISODE of the OVERDUE: Weeding Out Oppression in Libraries podcast
S4, E7: Indigenous Systems of Knowledge with Dr. Sandy Littletree (Re-release)
Listen Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1948067/episodes/18111540
This episode originally aired on August 31, 2023 and is being re-released to celebrate Native American Heritage Month (November).
In this episode we talk with Dr. Sandy Littletree (Navajo/Eastern Shoshone), Assistant Professor at the Information School at the University of Washington, whose work focuses on Native North American Indigenous Knowledge.
Dr. Littletree shares background about Indigenous systems of knowledge, and practical application as it pertains to Indigenous information science, Indigenous librarianship and the intersections of tribal sovereignty, technology, knowledge, and information in Native North America. The discussion also shines a light on the importance of cultivating cultural humility as an ongoing practice, and as a foundation of establishing meaningful, authentic and compassionate connections.
Date of interview: August 16, 2023
Host(s): LaRee Dominguez & Kristen Curé
Direct link to the episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1948067/episodes/18111540
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Oregon Artswatch article on upcoming OPB documentary "Uncovering Boarding Schools"
‘Understand history, create empathy’: Telling the tale of Oregon’s Native American boarding schools, Oregon Artswatch
By Sydney Seymour
Oct. 30, 2025
https://www.orartswatch.org/understand-history-create-empathy-telling-the-tale-of-oregons-native-american-boarding-schools/
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America 250 Oregon Commission Announces Oregon 250 Grant Program First Round Awardees
Portland, OR — October 27, 2025 — July 4, 2026 — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the foundational document of American democracy — is exactly 250 days away. To commemorate this milestone, the America 250 Oregon Commission, in partnership with Oregon Heritage and the Oregon Historical Society, are pleased to announced the recipients of 13 grants awarded to museums, historical societies, local governments, veterans organizations, and community nonprofits across Oregon.
The Oregon 250 Grant Program was established to help organizations create inclusive, community-focused projects that highlight Oregon’s diverse histories, traditions, and cultures. The grants, ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 each, will support programs that align with the mission of America 250 Oregon and one or more of its seven guideposts, which are:
• To inspire Oregonians to participate in the work of forming a more perfect union.
• To highlight the importance of civics and history education in building a better future.
• To highlight the work of Oregon’s many history and heritage organizations.
• To encourage a robust, thorough, and honest examination of our collective history.
• To celebrate the unique traditions, arts, and cultures of communities throughout Oregon.
• To honor the service and sacrifice made by Oregon’s veterans.
• To celebrate the power of place through Oregon’s remarkable landscapes and scenic beauty.
The following organizations were awarded grants in the Oregon 250 Grant Program’s first funding cycle:
Benton County Historical Society, Benton County Grant funding will support two exhibits for the 250th anniversary: Centuries of Celebration at its Philomath museum site and Strength, Struggle, Survival: Our Community’s Response to 250 Years at its Corvallis museum site.
Cape Blanco Heritage Society, Curry County Grant funding will support the creation of a scale model of a historic house and ranch that tells a local, regional story that will enhance the visitor experience and support local tourism.
City of Sweet Home, Linn County Grant funding will support a year of events, enhancements to existing traditions, and public history displays to honor the 250th anniversary while showcasing the community’s rich local history.
Coos County Historical Society, Coos County Grant funding will support Waves of Tradition, an exhibit that will celebrate the diverse maritime traditions and scenic beauty that shaped Oregon’s South Coast in honor of the 250th anniversary.
Embrace Bend, Deschutes County Grant funding will support the CivicLab Project, a community-centered initiative designed to spark civic engagement and inclusive dialogue in Central Oregon.
Garibaldi Maritime Museum, Tillamook County Grant funding will support the Port of Garibaldi: The Story of a Coast Guard City exhibit at the museum, which features the city’s relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard and honors active duty and retired Coast Guard veterans.
McMinnville Downtown Association, Yamhill County Grant funding will support the creation of placemaking projects to enhance the community, support the city’s economic vitality, and encourage dialogue and connection.
Oregon Firearms Safety Coalition in partnership with Rogue Cell Recon, Clatsop County & Tillamook County Grant funding will support the Veterans Stories Project, which honors the service and sacrifice of Oregon’s veterans by collecting and sharing their stories through a series of short interviews conducted across the North Coast region of Oregon.
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, Multnomah County Grant funding will support digitizing collections that will be featured in an interactive
component in Practicing Democracy: Jewish Civic Leadership and Engagement in Oregon, the museum’s forthcoming exhibition to commemorate America 250.
Sandy Historical Society, Clackamas County Grant funding will support a collection survey and assessment to facilitate a deeper understanding of collection holdings, gaps, and further work that needs to be completed in order to better represent all the diverse members of the community.
Santiam Heritage Foundation, Marion County Grant funding will support history presentations in several heritage organizations in Marion County during 2026 to highlight local history and the organizations preserving local history.
Warrior Impact, Deschutes County Grant funding will support the development of a cohort in Central Oregon to support veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders through small-group experiences that foster trust, growth, and lifelong connections.
Woodburn Museum, Marion County Grant funding will support the Sapper: Sgt. Wayne Woodruff and the Great War exhibit, which shares the history of the combat engineer during World War I who later settled in the Woodburn area.
Kerry Tymchuk, chair of the America 250 Oregon Commission and executive director of the Oregon Historical Society, said, “We are grateful to the Oregon State Legislature for providing funds that will encourage Oregonians across our state in marking this once-in-a-generation opportunity to commemorate our nation’s past while also looking forward to a brighter future.”
A second funding cycle will open on Monday, January 5, 2026, and will remain open until March 1, 2026, or until funds are depleted. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible projects.
More information about the Oregon 250 Grant Program can be found at oregon250.org, including the grant guidelines.
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American Alliance of Museum blog post on the Promise and Peril of AI
The Promise and Peril of AI<https://aam-us.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2605bbc11e6752de338ce7e61&id=a91744be13&e=0645a66f24>
By Adam Rozan
As AI tools become more commonplace, the question may not be whether to use them, but how and why. Read this Q&A with museum AI developer, professor, and author Marion Carré for advice on distinguishing between harmful and productive uses of the technology, including when considering jobs, training, and policies and regulations. Read more »<https://aam-us.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2605bbc11e6752de338ce7e61&id=06cf9deb50&e=0645a66f24>
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Properties recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Balch Gulch Bridge in Portland, Multnomah County, was listed in September 2025. Designed by engineer James B. C. Lockwood and completed in 1905, the Balch Gulch Bridge carries NW Thurman Street across Balch Creek in Northwest Portland’s Willamette Heights neighborhood. It is Oregon’s only remaining pin-connected deck truss highway bridge and a rare example of early twentieth-century bridge engineering. It catalyzed the development of Portland’s Willamette Heights neighborhood by extending streetcar service across the gulch, and it also played a small role in advertising Portland to visitors and potential investors during the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition. The bridge’s listing recognizes both its engineering significance and its contribution to Portland’s urban growth. View the nomination<https://heritagedata.prd.state.or.us/historic/index.cfm?do=v.dsp_siteSummary&resultDisplay=50223>.
Methodist Episcopal Church of Union in Union, Union County, listed in September 2025. Built in 1905 by Union’s Methodist Episcopal congregation, the two-and-one-half story brick church—now home to the Catherine Creek Community Center—stands as a rare and well-preserved example of Late Gothic Revival architecture in rural northeastern Oregon. Notable for its cross-shaped plan, steep gabled rooflines, lancet stained-glass windows, and elaborate corner belltower with Queen Anne detailing, the building also features original interior elements such as curved wood pews and tamboured wood partitions. Its design may reflect the influence of nationally renowned church architect Benjamin D. Price. View the nomination<https://heritagedata.prd.state.or.us/historic/index.cfm?do=v.dsp_siteSummary&resultDisplay=39024>.
More information about the National Register listing process and recent Oregon listings can be found here<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/pages/national-register.aspx>. You can also find information by searching in the Oregon Historic Sites Database<http://heritagedata.prd.state.or.us/historic/>.
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Follow us on Facebook at @oregonheritage, on LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/company/oregon-parks-and-recreation-department/>, on the Oregon Heritage Exchange blog<https://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/>.
Oregon Heritage News is a service of Oregon Heritage, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department that includes the State Historic Preservation Office. Learn more about our programs at www.oregonheritage.org<http://www.oregonheritage.org/>. The news editor can be contacted at heritage.info at oprd.oregon.gov<mailto:heritage.info at oprd.oregon.gov>.

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