Kimberli Fitzgerald, City of Salem Historic Preservation Officer, July 2018 July 19, 2018 Episode.
Historic preservation has a passionate champion in the form of Kimberli Fitzgerald. In addition to master degrees in urban planning and historic preservation, Kimberli recently earned a masters in archeology, with an emphasis on cultural resource management and interpretation. We are so lucky to be able to have all this expertise right here in Salem, as she works with the City's Community Development Department! Having worked with Kimberli for a number of years, I can attest to her ability to facilitate projects--both large and small and, now, even below ground--to achieve the best outcomes for both the property owner and the community.
Historic preservation has a passionate champion in the form of Kimberli Fitzgerald. In addition to master degrees in urban planning and historic preservation, Kimberli recently earned a masters in archeology, with an emphasis on cultural resource management and interpretation. We are so lucky to be able to have all this expertise right here in Salem, as she works with the City's Community Development Department! Having worked with Kimberli for a number of years, I can attest to her ability to facilitate projects--both large and small and, now, even below ground--to achieve the best outcomes for both the property owner and the community.
Photo by Camron Settlemeier Kimberli joins us periodically to keep us apprised of preservation projects around the city as well as the work of the Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC). She reported that there were several events occurring in Salem as part of the recent National Historic Preservation Month observance. The HLC hosted its fourth round of annual This Place Matters historic photograph competition. [To see the winners, click here.] This year's contest introduced a new category for Youth. Additionally, the HLC bestowed its two annual awards, the Ben Maxwell Award, recognizing the best preservation project, and the Virginia P. Green Award, recognizing exemplary efforts on behalf of historic preservation. [To check out the award presentations, click here.] Our co-host Christy Van Heukelem joined Kimberli for another event where they presented two programs on local history at Pringle Creek Elementary School.
 |  Gray Belle Restaurant Building in 1954 (L-front, C-rear) and c2013 (R). [Photos: Salem Public Library Online Coll.] |  |
The HLC recently reviewed an application regarding a building in the Downtown Historic District we've mentioned before. The Gray Belle Restaurant Building (c1896) at 440 State Street, pictured above, has been the home of various restaurants over the years--many recently were Chinese. [Note: Interesting factoid, since this building is located in an area of Salem once known as Chinatown.] The current owners want to add an addition to the south facade to provide access to the second floor. This building had a period facade restoration in recent years. The owners' plans call for an indoor food-court-style restaurant on the ground floor, apartments again for the second floor, and an entertainment venue in the basement area. The HLC approved the proposal subject to the use of specific materials in several areas to make the exterior more in character with the historic district around it.
Kimberli also reported that City staff will begin the periodic review of the Historic Preservation Code this fall. There will be several opportunities for the public to add input. The HLC will be active in this review. There are currently two vacancies on that commission, so if you are interested in how Salem addresses its historic resources, contact Kimberli for more information.
Wuyi University staff guide Dina viewing the marker erected by the Chinese government commemorating the men who left Quangdong Province during the mid-1800s. [Photo: K.Fitzgerald] Speaking of Salem's Chinese community, Kimberli provided an update on her recent Masters thesis research visit to China to try and locate family members of two deceased men whose grave markers were discovered during the recent Chinese Shrine public archaeology project. Salem's shrine was most likely funded by George Sun who was the mayor of Chinatown at the time of its construction. We talked about his story in a previous blog. The headstones that Kimberli researched were from two young men, Su Laisheng and Chen Xinchang, who left to find work in the mid-1800s. The names of their villages were inscribed on the markers so their bones could eventually be returned. Seventy percent of the men of area villages headed overseas to find work and send money back to their families during a time of great turmoil in China.
 Guide Dina with elder of Chen Xinchang's village, Tudimiao. [Photo: K.Fitzgerald] |  Elder (105 yrs. old) of Shijing Village, home of Su Laisheng [Photo: K.Fitzgerald] |
Grandson of Leong Toong Yook (left) and family learn of Mr. Leong's story in Salem, Oregon [Photo: K.Fitzgerald] While in China, they also searched for records of George Sun and his nephew Leong Toong Yook, son of prominent store owner Leong Hun. When Leong Toong Yook appealed to the US government to join his father in Salem, he was denied entrance. They were able to locate descendants of Mr. Leong, some of whom had never heard his story. They were also successful in locating genealogical records regarding George Sun. All in all, a most profitable trip--and one that surely helped Kimberli secure her Master of Archaeology degree!
There is more archaeological work planned for the Chinese Shrine in Pioneer Cemetery, with many of the original team coming back. With her proven expertise in cultural resource management and interpretation, we can rest assured Kimberli will be sharing their discoveries with us. What a treat we have to look forward to!
~~Posted by Deb Meaghers
RSS Feed