Archaeologic Dig Unit, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, July 2017 September 7, 2017 Episode.
Historic preservation encompasses managing historic resources for the benefit of both the resource and the public. We often think of grand old houses when we think of historic resources, but what about the history below street level? Yes, these finds are just as worthy of historic preservation--perhaps even more so, as they tell the story of the everyday lives of our predecessors.
As we've mentioned before, Salem's Historic Preservation Officer, Kimberli Fitzgerald, is obtaining a degree in archaeology and cultural resource management in order to provide even better service to the people of Salem. In the not-too-distant future, Salem engineers will be able to learn of any archaeological sites in areas proposed for development before the first shovel breaks ground--not during a private or public work project that must then come to an indefinite stand-still while the ground disruption is studied by state archaeology staff and mediated.
Historic preservation encompasses managing historic resources for the benefit of both the resource and the public. We often think of grand old houses when we think of historic resources, but what about the history below street level? Yes, these finds are just as worthy of historic preservation--perhaps even more so, as they tell the story of the everyday lives of our predecessors.
As we've mentioned before, Salem's Historic Preservation Officer, Kimberli Fitzgerald, is obtaining a degree in archaeology and cultural resource management in order to provide even better service to the people of Salem. In the not-too-distant future, Salem engineers will be able to learn of any archaeological sites in areas proposed for development before the first shovel breaks ground--not during a private or public work project that must then come to an indefinite stand-still while the ground disruption is studied by state archaeology staff and mediated.
Could this be framing from Capt. Ryan's house? Kimberli met with us to share her experiences of this important but grueling training session at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site that took place during a record-breaking heat wave in the Willamette Valley. The purpose of this field session put on by the National Park Service and Portland State University was to determine if there were any areas of archaeological significance in an area of the park the NPS wished to develop into a parking lot. Specifically, they were charged to look for evidence of a house belonging to a Capt. Ryan, either a sea captain or an Army captain, who was purported to live at the Fort circa 1874. The school was open to the public and even included a field day for youngsters of the area, since part of the curriculum focused on ways to interpret and present the finds to the public.
 Kimberli "Screening" |  Kimberli's Discovery |  Kimberli in Period Dress |
On the day Kimberli discovered her largest artifact, a small, embossed metal lid, the Vancouver, WA Columbian newspaper was covering the "Dig" activities. Here is the link to the published article full of photos of artifact discoveries by other participants as well. They finished out their field school with a public interpretation of an 1860's baseball game, a common event of the time at the Fort, in full costume. Can you imagine being in wool uniforms or full dresses with corsets and petticoats on such a hot day? Fresh from the dig and still grimy, she admitted, Kimberli is shown here in full costume. At least she was able to find a bit of shade to enjoy the vintage proceedings.
Putting her Historic Preservation Officer hat back on, Kimberli provided an account of the recent happenings in above-ground preservation in the Salem area. She advised that the popular Toolbox Grants, $1000 matching grants to help owners of historic properties with preservation costs, has expanded to include interior work, with many of this applications for this second cycle focusing on seismic retrofitting. Traditionally funded by private party donations, the number of potential grants grew this year when the Salem City Council awarded the program $5000. For more information, check this link for the Toolbox Grant program.
New SESNA Calendar One of Kimberli's favorite programs, Salem Heritage Neighborhoods, is is currently finalizing a year of work with the 2017 designee, SESNA. We will be inviting SESNA representatives back on the show soon to learn how this program has helped their neighborhood come together and showcase their unique heritage. Soon we will learn the identity of the next neighborhood group to be designated as the 2018 Heritage Neighborhood.
More than half of Salem's 19 neighborhood organizations have potential historic resources within them, but no official surveys have ever been done. You might want to check out this map that shows all the potential historic resources in our city. Check out this active map that shows Salem's growth from 1850 to 2012.
More than half of Salem's 19 neighborhood organizations have potential historic resources within them, but no official surveys have ever been done. You might want to check out this map that shows all the potential historic resources in our city. Check out this active map that shows Salem's growth from 1850 to 2012.
In closing, Kimberli reported that the Salem Culture & Heritage Forum has produced another of their Capital City Cornerstones videos, this one entitled Women of Mission. Here's the link to their first video, Oregon State Capital, if you didn't catch it before.
All in all, there is a lot of good stuff happening in our historic town!
Posted by Deb Meaghers
All in all, there is a lot of good stuff happening in our historic town!
Posted by Deb Meaghers
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