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Archaeology in Oregon - Dennis Griffin, State Archeologist

10/31/2015

 
PictureArchaeological site in Oregon
October 29, 2015 Episode.

Dennis Griffin, Oregon State Archaeologist with the Cultural Heritage Division of Oregon Parks & Recreation Department, joined us in the studio today to share with us just what an archaeologist does--and does not--do, and to let us know how archaeology fares in our state. Dennis has been a working archaeologist for more than 35 years in Oregon and throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. His love of anthropology and history has lead to working with Federal and State governments, tribal governments, forest service and Bureau of Land Management agencies in both staff and consultant roles.

PictureCarronades from shipwreck now on exhibit at Astoria Maritime Museum
Dennis advised us that the State Historic Preservation Officer monitors and regulates archaeological endeavors throughout Oregon and maintains a database of searched sites and found artifacts.  There are 37,000 designated archaeolgical sites in Oregon, with only 150 being listed on the National Register for Historic Places (NR).  Most of these sites are located on public lands which already enjoy a protected status so the lengthy nomination process is not necessary.  NR listing is often the most effective way to protect such sites found on private lands.  SHPO staff help private landowners determine if a site is known on their land, assist in determining if a new site is truly historic, and help them document the historic find so that their plans for using their lands can continue.  Designation as an archaeological site DOES NOT preclude development of the land, but allows landowners information on ways to preserve what is/was discovered, with grants available to help fund any research work necessary.  All artifacts found on private lands are the property of the private landowner.    

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The annual Oregon Archaeolgy Celebration runs through December 15, with this Fall's focus being on the state's abundant, versatile, and unique varieties of volcanic glass known as obsidian.  Their theme is "Oregon's Got Glass--We Are Obsidian," with events being held throughout the state.  For a list of events, check out the Oregon Archaeology Society  website.

PictureDennis and Deb in Studio
Dennis also suggested our listeners check out the Archaeological Services section of the Cultural Heritage Division website to learn more about this topic.  They post weekly informative bulletins and list upcoming events around the state that may be of interest.

Another tidbit that Dennis shared is that the most prolific archaeologic sites often prove to be wells and latrines!  In light of our modern water and sewage systems, it makes one wonder what "gold mines" of treasures future diggers might find.  I suspect that the interior of the walls and the backyard landscaping of the many houses my husband and I have remodeled over the years might cause a bit of eyebrow-arching and chin-scratching in the distant future. Any thoughts you'd like to share?

African American Heritage...Again!  Kimberly Moreland & Kuri Gill

10/22/2015

 
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October 22, 2015 Episode.
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Today's show highlights an earlier episode in which Kimberly Moreland, author of Images of America: African-Americans of Portland, and Kuri Gill of the State Historic Preservation Office outlined their efforts to build a database of stories of African-American history in Oregon. To read this earlier post, click on April 9, 2015. 

​To listen to the entire episode, check out KMUZ.org/Salem HistoryMatters for downloadable podcasts.

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The effort to expand this database continues, and they hope people will check out their African- American history website, makeoregonhistory.org, to learn more about the Oregon history they have discovered, and also to offer any recollections you may have--either your own experience as an African-American, your relationship with an African-American, even family stories you may have heard over the years.  

We urge you to help them preserve this history as an essential part of Oregon's overall story.

Living in Historic Treasures: The Grand Theater/Odd Fellows Building

10/15/2015

 
PictureOdd Fellows Building, 1907 (V.Green coll.)
October 15, 2015 Episode.

The real secret to historic preservation is to continue to use the historic resources through the generations.  We "in the trade" bandy about words like restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse as ways to preserve these treasures, but, in reality, it is just plain USE that keeps a building viable--sometimes even vibrant!  Case in point, look to the Odd Fellows Building/Grand Theater in downtown Salem.  This building was a vibrant, integral part of the life of early Salem, continuing through the 1950s.  It fell into disrepair and was very neglected, but then community members Carole Smith and Eric Kittleson, resolved to bring it back to its glory days and made this project the priority of their lives for many years, but are now looking forward to a new project. 

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We were joined in the studio by Cindy and Joe Meduri, owners of Meduri Farms, who are the relatively new owners of this large, conjoined property. Joe and Cindy are California transplants who have grown very deep roots into the mid-Willamette Valley soil and communities.  Their children are involved in the family business in Dallas, with Horses of Hope Oregon, and Enlightened Theatrics, both here in Salem, and the Meduris passionately support their endeavors. Their plans for the Grand Theater building go beyond improving the theater and restaurant areas, but extend into the future as an "academy" of sorts, offering educational opportunities for various arts, as well as becoming a collaborative hub for nonprofits in our area. Cindy stated her belief that it is our role as parents and grandparents to expose children to arts in all forms, especially live theater and music, as much as we educate them about other parts of life, and that becoming actively involved in their community is a large part of that life.

We heartily agree!  We look forward to seeing what other exciting projects this energetic family takes on to broaden and strengthen our community.     

Historic Preservation Update with Kimberli Fitzgerald

10/10/2015

 
October 8, 2015 Episode.

We have so much fun when Kimberli and I get together to share our passion for local history and our historic treasures--sometimes Engineer Jim has to cut us off!  Today Kimberli put on her Salem Historic Preservation Officer hat and let us in on what's happening now, what's coming up, what the Historic Landmarks Commission is working on, and just stuff we find interesting about living in our history.   
PictureProposal Rendering, ODOT
She was very happy to report that in the Daily Journal of Commerce, 9/28/2015 issue, there was an article about the restoration of the historic Baggage/Freight Depot building located next to Salem's Amtrak railroad station.  This building has been vacant and abandoned for more than 20 years, with restorative work finally begun by its owner, Oregon Department of Transportation a few years ago. Now, through a state/city/private partnership, a viable re-adaptive use is being proposed that will breathe new life into one of our oldest structures. Greyhound Bus Lines will be moving their station to this site, thereby creating a multi-modal transportation center! The work is planned tol begin in December and, weather permitting, should be completed within the 18-24 months.  

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Kim was even more excited to tell us that a famous author was coming to town! Remember the 2014 movie "Monuments Men" about the small group of men in WWII who rescued valuable art stolen by the Nazis and stored in France and Germany, in which George Clooney starred?  Well, the author of the book from which that movie was made, Robert Edsel, has written a new book, Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation's Treasures From the Nazis, and he will be in Salem at the Elsinore Theatre, October 15, 7:30 p.m., to present a multi-media lecture on his research for this book. The event is FREE, and he will be available to autograph books purchased that night.  

Kimberli is going to be Tweeting a fun fact about Salem every day!  Follow her @SalemHLC.

​We've added a new "Guess The Location" entry.  Check it out and may you will win this month's prize!
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    Deb Meaghers and Christy Van Heukelem, historians and authors, are passionate about the history of Salem and the entire mid-Willamette Valley.  We love sharing our enthusiasm for our rich historic legacy with others.  

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