[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2026-01-09

Fri Jan 9 11:35:36 PST 2026

Oregon Heritage News 2026-01-09
In this Issue:

  *   Happy New Year! Oregon Heritage/SHPO 2025 highlights
  *   Have a standout heritage volunteer? Submit them for statewide recognition!
  *   Certified Interpretive Guide Course, Hillsboro, Jan. 13 registration deadline, discount for heritage organizations available
  *   Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Speaker Series, online Feb.-May
  *   New Webinar Series Explores Ethics of AI and Public Humanities
  *   Annual transfer of historic Oregon vital records to the Oregon State Archives
  *   Works from 1930 enter public domain
  *   Beyond 250: Conversations About Democracy and Community - Oregon Humanities
  *   Recent research on Chinese American history in Oregon
  *   Recent Study defining belonging in museums
  *   Registration now open for NAO's Nonprofit Fundraising Summit in Eugene, Feb. 26
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Happy New Year! Oregon Heritage/SHPO 2025 highlights
Each year we here at Oregon Heritage, which includes the State Historic Preservation Office, spend some time reviewing our programs to try to capture a snapshot of heritage preservation efforts happening across the state. Check out some highlights here<https://oregonheritage.wordpress.com/2026/01/07/happy-new-year-2025-oregon-heritage-shpo-highlights/> on the Oregon Heritage Exchange blog.
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Have a standout heritage volunteer? Submit them for statewide recognition!
In 2022, Oregon Heritage added a non-competitive category to the Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards to honor the impact of heritage volunteers across the state.
Heritage Organizations have an opportunity to submit a standout volunteer that will be recognized in a compilation video at the Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards banquet event that is part of the 2026 Oregon Heritage Conference, April 29-May 2. These volunteers also receive a certificate for their service from the Oregon Heritage Commission.
You can submit a volunteer one of two ways:

  *   Utilizing the application instructions for the Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/pages/awards.aspx#one> and selecting the standout heritage volunteer category and following directions for those category of questions and attaching a photo of the volunteer
OR
  *   Email katie.henry at oprd.oregon.gov<mailto:katie.henry at oprd.oregon.gov> and provide the following:
     *   Volunteer Name
     *   Name of the organization for which they volunteer
     *   1-3 sentences describing their service
     *   Attach a photo that can be used in the video

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Certified Interpretive Guide Course, Hillsboro, Jan. 13 registration deadline, discount for heritage organizations available
CIG Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Jan. 2026
January 20-23, 2026
Jackson Bottom Wetlands Nature Preserve
2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Instructors: Denise Berkshire and Courtney (Cam) Amabile
Featuring: PNW-based guest trainers
About this Course
The Oregon Department of Forestry's Tillamook Forest Center and Oregon Heritage, and the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is offering a training course for individuals in the field of Interpretation. It is designed for staff and volunteers who deliver programs, give tours, provide informal engagement, or have contact with the public at interpretive sites. Light refreshments & snacks will be provided by the State Forests Trust of Oregon.
The nationally recognized Certificate of Interpretive Guiding (CIG) program is designed for anyone wanting to learn more about developing and leading interpretive programs. This course will introduce you to the history, definitions, and principles of interpretation. During the course, you will develop a program outline and deliver a 10-minute thematic presentation, all with the support of your instructor(s) and fellow participants. You will learn how to make your programs purposeful, enjoyable, relevant, organized, and thematic, and leave ready to facilitate meaningful experiences that inspire engagement with the world around us.
To receive a discount, create an NAI account and select "in-house" when registering.
Register by Jan. 13 here: https://nai-us.org/nai/_prof_development/reg/cigregistration.aspx?EventKey=GI012026B
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Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Speaker Series, online Feb.-May
In partnership with the Indian Arts Research Center (IARC) at the School for Advanced Research and Gilcrease Museum, we present the Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Speaker Series, a four-part webinar series examining Indigenous-centered approaches to museum collections stewardship.
Developed in advance of the forthcoming Indigenous Collections Care Guide, the series brings together leading practitioners to explore consultation, conservation, access, and relationship-building through Indigenous knowledge and values-reflecting our ongoing leadership in this work across the museum field.
Museum professionals and colleagues across the field are invited to register or learn more about the series.
Learn more and register here<https://gilcrease.org/icc-speaker-series/>.

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New Webinar Series Explores Ethics of AI and Public Humanities
Ethics, AI, and the Public Humanities Speaker Series
Presented by NCPH and the American Conservation Experience (ACE)
Registration: https://community.ncph.org/event/AIHumanities
Of the jobs most threatened by artificial intelligence, Microsoft has named "Historian" as number two on their list<https://www.inc.com/bruce-crumley/microsoft-study-identifies-jobs-most-and-least-affected-by-ai/91221483>. In their "Guiding Principles for Artificial Intelligence in History Education<https://www.historians.org/resource/guiding-principles-for-artificial-intelligence-in-history-education/>" (August 5, 2025), the American Historical Association acknowledges the power of AI, yet recognizes that its utility cannot replace our ability as historians to "appreciate the complexity of our shared past and what it means to be human." In this four-part speaker series, the National Council on Public History (NCPH) and the American Conservation Experience (ACE) Mellon Humanities Program will bring together experts to help us consider the ways that artificial intelligence is reshaping our world and our work.
Learn more and register.<https://u83566.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.0rmteRZhRFhPx0rLqTp6ISMWaAQifgujpWWkIjABUsgd2K-2F5qyWqCGCJZmKdUWA-2BjVpraKmJK6pSc4CVBwo6neVuCCU3Op2-2BC-2FeH5tbJzv4-3Doiav_mQgQcPVJOAOvGzPbJ5Z8884yuPAPfTcSGBfVyHYckylxfRzcjUxcClHUuCQ2hEoNm12mEZoUeVcWG9LcTFHkUoPsbiJMhoRP60CQ8bg9n37-2FZ6ciCM78FHDnR9D2IMXkTjx2dmV3Se4lvUqrWNj9IAEeqY60vzJnTOOQmuqhbItvQh5IeSbRlb7PBI25SI5GVC7k3bwTyUDVHkGdA8NlhCF4BAVZkN-2F4rwEgnEbXP7RYdFRKtWB3Hgvi1tSjUB-2FspIx-2BTLMCVcaPeLip6dmujTB8avSawecKi6DjVN7m33AIMcye4-2FVnlD7OeRA-2B8nM-2FhR977qElZMJ6MXKPofHD8a6pLbUEZmVyx4kej76o55JbJiuU-2BNM825lkZNzpDNHUM4md27XtTtIRmNPwKKxgHUAljfOdbm0PluGBOxY27jAJoatTHBNuU-2FWwvLqL9weNlWFpBv0z-2BTJjHbjr3r26vp0aHSm4tALybSsi812sk3q9zqLzW-2BHQSEYg2vk6wTfLQx1uLUogxwemSTDZGgNaBQ-2BWt-2FyefEWfQ-2FyCNWEGr-2FOJO4LEh-2FUyurOc3EQHS2wdYzlPZx81MLrXxfbMvvJpHxXpu106aVv-2B5GMi8ec8eccbOOMrq0tXJUN09b5iyCVtu2qeKnnRGwdvekj-2Fo88LwiYo3ycQVWyO5sKn9DD-2BmuM-3D>
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Annual transfer of historic Oregon vital records to the Oregon State Archives
Every year a new round of historic Oregon vital records are transferred to the Oregon State Archives from the Oregon Health Authority. The Archives maintains birth records that are 100 years old or older, as well as death, marriage, and divorce records that are 50 years old or older. Contact us by phone: 503-373-0701 (option 1), or email: reference.archives at sos.oregon.gov<mailto:reference.archives at sos.oregon.gov> to set up an appointment to come in and research them. Or fill out an online records request form to order digital copies sent straight to your inbox. (https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/Pages/order.aspx)
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Works from 1930 enter public domain
On January 1, 2026, thousands of copyrighted work from 1930 entered the public domain in the United states along with sound recordings from 1925. To learn more about what is included visit the Center for the Study of the Public Domain here<https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2026/>.
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Beyond 250: Conversations About Democracy and Community - Oregon Humanities
Throughout 2026, Oregon Humanities will get Oregonians together to talk about democracy, freedom, and what it means to be an American-today and into the future.
Beyond 250 conversations will take place at libraries, colleges, museums, and other venues across the state. There are sixteen conversations to choose from, each led by a trained facilitator. These 90-minute programs are spaces to share thoughts and experiences, listen to and learn from one another, and think together about the future of our democracy and our communities. Conversations are offered with a sliding-scale fee to help cover facilitators' costs.
Learn how you can bring a conversation to your community here<https://oregonhumanities.org/programs/conversation-project/beyond-250-conversations-about-democracy-and-community/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHtZk8jO5_m4qNgc5sAc6z8DohKJ0k0jj2vz-7l_In_FQKLAxNV0H_TGimbEL_aem_s9luNGHWM4F4IJFVqnYd4Q>.
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Recent research on Chinese American history in Oregon
OPB Article: Archaeologists and community historians on the trail of Chinese cowboys in Eastern Oregon
By Chelsea Rose<https://www.opb.org/author/chelsea-rose/> (OPB) and Christie Goshe<https://www.opb.org/author/christie-goshe/> (OPB)
Jan. 7, 2026 6 a.m.
"Recent investigations have linked Chinese Americans with more than 30 historic ranches in Eastern Oregon, including one south of Dayville in Grant County.
This story is a special collaboration with the Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology and the Oregon Historical Society, with support from Roundhouse Foundation<https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/07/eastern-oregon-chinese-cowboys-trail/>."
Read the full article here<https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/07/eastern-oregon-chinese-cowboys-trail/>.
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Recent Study defining belonging in museums
The Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) conducted a study to define belonging in museums from a visitor's perspective. Most of the findings can translate to history museums and historic sites. SMM has resources you can use, including a reflexive guide, that you can use to build belonging at your organization: tinyurl.com/4fx6mxdu<http://tinyurl.com/4fx6mxdu>.
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Registration now open for NAO's Nonprofit Fundraising Summit in Eugene, Feb. 26
Registration is now open for NAO's Nonprofit Fundraising Summit in Eugene. Early bird pricing through Jan. 31.
Join fundraisers from across Oregon for a full day of learning, connection, and inspiration. Choose the track that best fits your organization - or mix and match sessions throughout the day:

  *   Track A - Foundational: Perfect for small and/or rural nonprofits and those newer to fundraising. We'll cover donor databases, donor stewardship, and grant writing basics.
  *   Track B - Intermediate: Designed for growing, midsize organizations. Build on your skills with development plan life cycles, finance for fundraisers, and a deeper dive into grants.
  *   Track C - Specialized: Geared toward large nonprofits and advanced practitioners. Explore donor advised funds (DAFs), planned giving, and aligning development, communications, and program teams. Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Location: Valley River Inn, Eugene, OR
Early bird starts at: $175 (member) / $250 (nonmember), based on org budget.
Learn more and register here: https://nonprofitoregon.org/event/5734/
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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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