Salem History Matters

  • Welcome!
  • Our History Blog
    • EPISODE LIST
  • Spotlight on History
  • Links We Like
  • Contact Us



WE'VE GOT A LOT WE WANT TO SHARE!
 
​HOW ABOUT YOU?

Download A Podcast

Historic Treasures: Brunk Farmstead

5/14/2020

0 Comments

 
PictureEarly view of Harrison Brunk House on Salem-Dallas Road [Photo: Polk Co. Historical Society]
April 16, 2020 Episode.

​
Heading west from Salem on Highway 22 on your way to the coast, you will pass by the historic Brunk Family Pioneer Farmstead on the north side of the highway. This was the second Polk County home for  Harrison & Emily McNary Brunk's family, built in 1861. Their first  homestead was in the boggy Basket Slough area of western Polk County in 1849, where they farmed for 10 years before they acquired better farmland further east. They relocated to the new farm in 1859 and lived in  a log cabin while building this home where their family members would reside until 1974. 

Picture
These photos from the Brunk Farmstead Facebook page depict the area in 1912 (above) and the farm owners c1930 (right). The intersection of Highway 22 and Brunk Road, now Oak Grove Road, where the farmstead sits was referred to as Brunk's  Corner. 
Picture
At that time, Earl Brunk, the last member of that well-known family still living, donated the farmstead to the Polk County Historical Society. The PCHS has been lovingly caring for this fine example of a pioneer farmstead since then. Ann Gage, Education and Outreach Coordinator for PCHS, joined us to tell us about this working museum and to ask for our help in preserving this historic treasure.  
Picture
Historic Brunk Farmstead is both a National Register Historic Property and an Oregon Century Farm [Photo: Brunk House FB Archives]
The Brunk Farmstead is known for its annual events, all now being put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic we're experiencing. The auto clubs' rallies with the cherry desserts from the farm orchard, the annual cider-pressing with heritage apples and desserts, the period technique classes in the blacksmith shop or the craft room, along with many other planned events, are a major fundraiser for this picturesque venue. It is a common misconception that the Polk County Museum & the Brunk Farmstead Museum receive funds from the County, but that is not true--all revenue come from admission fees, donations or grant funds.  All the heritage and cultural venues in our region are experiencing extreme financial stress due to the forced closures. 
Picture
[Photo: PCHS-Brunk House]
Picture
[Photo: PCHS-Brunk House]
The photos above show a planned maintenance project that turned into a larger rehabilitation effort. The beautiful two-story porch that fronted the Brunk House (left) had been leaking and dry rot was detected in a few areas. Grant funds were secured to cover the costs of that work. The project grew exponentially when it was discovered during that work that the entire porch was rotted and would need total replacement. 
Thus began a major fundraising campaign for this small venue, barely off the ground when the Governor's pandemic closure directive was issued. According to a recent Facebook post, through generous donations, they have raised enough funds to begin the Phase 1 planning/drafting component, but still desperately need to secure significant additional funds to begin and then complete the remaining construction work to replace the porch.  You can find information on how you, too, can help preserve this wonderful pioneer farmstead on that Facebook Page.  
All the various heritage venues that preserve and document our history, our stories of who we are and how we got here, have been available for our enrichment because those living before us accepted the responsibility of stewardship. Even though few of us may ever personally be involved in resurrecting and preserving a unique historic resource, we all benefit from our rich historic legacy educationally and economically. It is our ongoing responsibility, both privately and publicly, to secure these treasures for the upcoming generations.  If we cannot understand our history, we have no way to appreciate our future. Please consider investing in your heritage, now!
To listen to the full episode with Ann Gage, click here.
~~Posted by Deb Meaghers
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Your Hosts

    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.  

    Picture
    Deb
    Picture
    Christy

      You Can Join in the Fun! 

    Subscribe to Blog

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photo used under Creative Commons from Johnath