January 18, 2018 Episode.
We can count on it being a good day when we are joined by our friend and colleague Kimberi Fitzgerald, Salem's Historic Preservation Officer.  Kimberli always has her finger on the pulse of current and upcoming projects, things the Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) may be working on, as well as various educational opportunities for those with an interest in our history.  And did we say, she loves to share all kinds of information with our listeners?  We asked Kimberli to look back on the historic preservation projects of 2017, and to then look forward to what might be anticipated in 2018.

Focusing first on the work of the HLC, Kimberli said that new members had been appointed to replace two retiring commissioners.  Carroll Cottingham has a Masters in Historic Preservation and has worked with the National Park Service, the keeper of the National Register of Historic Places. Carroll currently works with ODOT.  Lindsey Kerr also has a Masters in Historic Preservation, along with one in public horticulture, and is the curator and director of the Lord & Schryver Garden-Gaiety Hollow. Kimberli said that the HLC is at full capacity for the first time in several years.

The HLC reviews its work plan each year as it develops the plan for the coming year. This report is then presented to the City Council. You can access the full 2018 work plan report here. 

Some of the highlighted accomplishments from 2017 included the designation of the SESNA neighborhood as a Heritage Neighborhood. In this program, city staff worked with neighborhood members to review their historic resources and develop ways to enhance the awareness of this heritage within its own community and the city.  A photo calendar was created, as were several walking tours. "History Wrappers" are planned for four utility vault installations. Learn more at SESNA's website.

May is nationally designated as Historic Preservation Month. In 2017, the HLC sponsored another hands-on window workshop, along with one on seismic retrofitting. These two highly demanded workshops are again being offered in 2018.  SHPO also hosts their Historic Preservation Fair, which had 27 historic/heritage organizations participating in 2017. The "This Place Matters" photo contest had 33 entries in 2017, with even more anticipated for this year's event. This is the time of year, too, that the HLC announces it's winners for the Ben Maxwell Award, for the best historic preservation project, and the Virginia Green Award, which recognizes an individual who demonstrates exemplary service in historic preservation. 

Speaking of projects, the HLC awarded almost $12,000 in Toolbox grants in 2017, and over $60,000 since the program's inception in 2011. This public/private partnership grant program helps private homeowners maintain their historic resources. This program will continue in 2018, with two grant cycles being available. The program now adds seismic retrofitting projects to the list of eligible work.  The City is also looking at a developing a similar program to help owners of the large brick buildings in the Downtown area with retrofitting these vulnerable buildings. As all our historic resources provide a benefit to the public, it is seemly that the public should help with their maintenance. 

In the 2018 Work Plan, the HLC identified a desire to educate and further honor the diverse heritage within our community by including their commemorations within the HLC calendar. These will include African American History in February, Asian Pacific Heritage in May, Hispanic Heritage in September, Native American Heritage in November, and National Archaeology Month in October. In order to improve public outreach and education to the Native American community, the HLC will work with the Legislative Commission on Indian Services (LCIS) to identify the tribes with deep historic and cultural ties to the City of Salem.  At the request of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, a Memorandum of Understanding is being developed to further enhance communication and cooperation between the two entities.  

Other goals for 2018 include working with a new Heritage Neighborhood, NESCA-Lansing, updating the survey information on the Downtown Historic District formed in 2001, and producing another interactive GIS map which adds an archaeology layer. The GIS staff at the City continually develop and upload maps on a number of topics. There is one map that I use often that identifies our historic resources just by clicking on any location.  Find other maps on the City's website, although you may have to click through the different pages to locate what you want. It's not the most user-friendly site.

There are a number of opportunities for you to become involved in planning for the future in several areas. There will be a review of the city's Comprehensive Plan and its historic preservation component beginning this Spring. An advisory committee on public archaeology/Chinese Shrine project has also been formed and desires public input. Check out the websites we highlighted above or contact Kimberli by email or phone at 503.540.2397.  Our community is ever so much better when we are involved in making it so.

January 4, 2018 Episode.
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As we enter into our fourth year of this broadcast adventure, Christy, Jim and I were reminiscing about the great opportunities we had in 2017 through our new Yesterday's Voices series to share the stories of some very wonderful folks who have lived in our area for many years.
 
2017 was the year Christy joined us as co-host and brought forth this idea to do a series of personal interviews with some of the "living legends" who helped shape the personality of our town and its environs. As you recall, Christy is an avid genealogist and loves to discover family connections through the years. She views history as it affects families, so she fits right in with our philosophy of making history meaningful in our contemporary lives.