Locals honored with Heritage award

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Individuals and organizations in 12 communities were honored with Oregon's first Heritage Excellence Awards. A local history curator and a local association were among those honored.

Carol Harbison Samuelson of Medford was singled out for providing outstanding assistance as library manager for the Southern Oregon Historical Society. She worked with SOHS for more than 20 years. The Jacksonville Woodlands Association was honored for protecting the natural and cultural heritage of historic Jacksonville since 1989 through the establishment of the Jacksonville Woodlands Natural Park and Trail System and its related programs.

Established to recognize outstanding efforts on behalf of Oregon heritage, the awards were presented at the recent Oregon Heritage Commission conference. Oregon First Lady Mary Oberst assisted with the presentations.

Commission coordinator Kyle Jansson of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's Heritage Programs Division said the award recipients have produced the most from available resources and skills. Other awardees include: Adams Julie Reese, for her dedication, advocacy and vision for heritage in Umatilla County; Blodgett Sara Swanberg, for the creation and development of the Preserving Oregon's Artistic Heritage educational video series; The "Higher Ground" Documentary Project, for preserving stories from the Boardman community relocation of the 1960s; Clackamas Oregon Military Museum, for growing Living History Day as an event that presents Oregon history in a hands-on, easy-to-understand fashion; Benton County, for its commitment to preserving the county's heritage and sharing it with the public, and for serving as a model for other counties; Larry Landis, for his enthusiasm and commitment to preserving and making accessible archival materials for all people of Oregon, and for the development of the Oregon Multicultural Archives and the Northwest Digital Archives; Harrisburg Museum Board of Directors, for its development of Heritage Park and serving as a bridge between the farming community and city residents; Tamástslikt Cultural Institute in Pendleton, for the groundbreaking book, Wiyáxayxt As Days Go By Wiyáakaa'awn; Mission Mill Museum in Salem, for the renovation and transformation of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill building during its Saving Salem's American Treasure project; Oregon National Guard, for its outstanding leadership and support during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial commemoration; St. Paul Colleen Sump, for the development of outstanding interpretive and educational programs at Champoeg State Heritage Area; and Tillamook Forest Center, Oregon Department of Forestry, for the successful planning and development of the Tillamook Forest Center as a place for forest history and heritage.

Oregon Heritage Commission chair George Kramer said the recognition is intended to draw public attention to important heritage efforts in Oregon and raise the quality of heritage-oriented activities.

More information about the awards and nomination forms are posted at www.oregonheritage.org online.

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