Early 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.
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.
 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. |  |
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.
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.
 [Photo: PCHS-Brunk House] |  [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!
| ~~Posted by Deb Meaghers |  |
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