Kimberli Fitzgerald managing the dig at the new Police Station site, September 2018 [Photo: KEF] October 18, 2018 Episode.
One would rarely think of Salem as the hotbed of archaeological events, but now we have our second "dig" in as many years! City of Salem Historic Preservation Officer/Chief Archaeologist joined us to talk about this public archaeology site as well as other above-ground historic preservation projects happening in our fair city.
This public archaeology field dig is located on the site of the new Police Station on Division Street NE, just north of the downtown core. As federal monies are being used for part of the construction funding, this type of review and inspection was required.
One would rarely think of Salem as the hotbed of archaeological events, but now we have our second "dig" in as many years! City of Salem Historic Preservation Officer/Chief Archaeologist joined us to talk about this public archaeology site as well as other above-ground historic preservation projects happening in our fair city.
This public archaeology field dig is located on the site of the new Police Station on Division Street NE, just north of the downtown core. As federal monies are being used for part of the construction funding, this type of review and inspection was required.
Public Archaeology Event, September 2018 [Photo: KEF} As this was known to be a site for both Native American and early settler encampment, test holes were dug and multiple artifacts were discovered, which then lead to this partnership between the State Historic Preservation Office, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and the City of Salem. A mitigation plan was developed to document the site and its artifacts so that construction could ultimately proceed. Kimberli's main job was to liaison with the professional contract team and manage the large contingent of volunteers (mostly Oregon Archaeology Association members and college students). By the time the project was completed in October, more than 500 volunteer hours were spent painstakingly excavating 16 one-meter-by-one-meter units where more than 8000 artifacts of both the "pre-contact" and "early development" periods were unearthed! The City is working with the Willamette Heritage Center to develop an exhibit of the finds which should open in late December. You might want to check out this recent Statesman-Journal article for more information and photos.
 Sixteen one-meter-by-one-meter units were excavated [Photo: KEF] |  Some of the excavated artifacts from Police Station Dig [Photo: KEF] |
Changing to her Historic Preservation Officer hat, Kimberli reported that a new development proposal for the vacant Murphy/McMahan's site at 260 State Street will be reviewed by the Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) in the near future. This is the fourth development proposal the HLC has reviewed--the first three fell apart due to financial issues. This proposal calls for a multipurpose building, with retail on the ground floor and housing above. We'll let you know when more information becomes available. Check out the National Register listing for more information on this site.
 Colonial Mortuary/Rigdon & Son Mortuary Building, c1940 [Photo: Oregon State Library]  Peace Mural on YMCA Building at Court & Cottage Streets [Photo: City of Salem] | Another hot topic in the preservation community is the demolition of the Colonial Mortuary/Rigdon & Son Funeral Home/Ike Box building at 299 Cottage Street NE. This building, owned by the YMCA, will be razed to provide the construction staging area for the redevelopment of the YMCA building across Court Street. This building was never listed as a local or national resource, so there is no governmental protection. However, the City Council has directed the HLC to work with the YMCA to document the building's history and character-defining features. Kimberli also reported that the community-constructed Peace Mural, located on the corner of the YMCA building at Court and Cottage Streets, is designated as part of the City Art Collection. The Public Art Commission is considering ways to preserve or possibly relocate this art installation. |
[Photo: City of Salem HLC Facebook] Kimberli advised that they are accepting applications for the second cycle of the HLC's Toolbox Grant Program, a $1000-match grant to help with maintenance of historic properties.
Additionally, the HLC itself is looking for new members-at-large to fill upcoming vacancies. Although the nine-member HLC must be made up of at least five professionals by statute, the other positions are open to any citizen who has an interest in historic preservation and lives or owns property within the City limits. You can find out more at this page on the City website or by contacting Kimberli. To see how they operate, attend any of their public meetings held in Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.
As usual, Kimberli invites you to contact her about any of the information she shared in this episode. You can reach her by email at [email protected] or by phone at 503-540-2597.
Additionally, the HLC itself is looking for new members-at-large to fill upcoming vacancies. Although the nine-member HLC must be made up of at least five professionals by statute, the other positions are open to any citizen who has an interest in historic preservation and lives or owns property within the City limits. You can find out more at this page on the City website or by contacting Kimberli. To see how they operate, attend any of their public meetings held in Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.
As usual, Kimberli invites you to contact her about any of the information she shared in this episode. You can reach her by email at [email protected] or by phone at 503-540-2597.
~~Posted by Deb Meaghers
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