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  • 08/30/2024 9:27 AM | Anonymous

    monthly memo for september 2024 includes: new item segment, a note from the director, ohc in the press, from the archives, archives: we're looking for, upcoming events, new item segment, and thank you to our sponsors

    recent acquisitions with a partial image of a blue and gold medal

    Can you guess what we recently added to our collection, based on the image above?

    Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out!

    from the desk of your executive director

    Thanks to all who attended this year's Collector Car & Classic Boat Show! We had beautiful weather and beautiful vehicles, and so many people expressed what the event meant to them. The proceeds from this event all go toward preserving local history, and because of the amazing turnout of vehicles, sponsors, and donations, we'll be able to accomplish the following: 

    • The first stages of the Lucy Pollard 1919 wedding dress restoration project
    • Creating and promoting finding aides for our newly indexed collections to make our archives more accessible
    • A new exhibit on voting and civic engagement through Lake Oswego's history, set to open in early October
    • Attending the Oregon Museum Association annual conference to connect to others in the field and bring back best practices
    • And much more! 

    This event, and the projects we are able to fund because of it, would not be possible without the volunteers, committee members, and participants to make it happen. So if you see someone who helped put on the show, which celebrated twenty-five years this August, say thank you! 

    Kathryn Sinor
    Executive Director

    three images from the car and boat show: the one on the left is of the vendor booths, the one in the center is a wooden boat, and the one to the right is a row of cars

    LO Review: Lake Oswego's car and boat show
    attracts thousands to town

    from the archives

    A different kind of car show in Oswego... from the 1930s!

    Check out these historic photographs from our collection, depicting another car show in the city from nearly 100 years ago.

    1930s photograph of two young men in front of a vehicle

    1930s photograph of a vehicle with several young girls and women sitting on it. there is one man in the background

    we're looking for... with the names of several women which are listed below

    We need help locating photographs of
    early prominent Oswego women!

    Our new exhibit, opening in early October, highlights voting and civic engagement throughout Oswego's history, featuring stories of how women engaged in politics before and after they gained the legal right to vote. We are hoping to find images of the following women:

    ✅ Anna Schneller Conway (1872-1936) and Mary C. Smith (c. 1863-?): Conway and Smith were the first two women to run for Oswego City Council in 1913

    ✅ Hilma Lindberg (1911-1989): Lindberg ran for City Council in 1952, and the Oswego Review ran a candidate profile

    ✅ Ellen Bergis (1898-2003): Bergis was the first woman elected to the Oswego City Council and served from 1955-56

    Do you have photographs of any of these women? Please reach out to us today at director@oswegoheritage.org!

    list of upcoming events

    first wednesday chautauqua on linus pauling in portland, china and beyond by chris petersen

    recent acquisitions with a partial image of a gold and blue medal

    Were you able to guess what we recently added to our collection, based on the image above?

    photograph of an american legion hat that is blue and gold with the words "oswego 92" on it

    American Legion memorabilia, from the Oswego post, was recently won at an auction and donated to the Oswego Heritage Council's collection. The hat and membership cards (dating to the 1940s) belonged to Felix Frederick Fors, pictured below and to the right in 1964 in the LO Review.

    Fors was a teacher and has been mentioned in other parts of our collection. To receive this piece, and the history that goes along with it, was an exciting addition! 

    image from 1964 LO Review of two older men, on the right is felix frederick fors

    membership cards for the american legion. only one is completely visible which says it is from 1943 and to certify that felix frederick fors is at post no. 92 located at oswego, oregon

    thank you to our sponsors

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    Join as a Sponsor Level Member Today!

  • 08/20/2024 10:44 AM | Anonymous

    monthly memo for August 2024 with image to the right of the Oswego Women's Club

    CLICK HERE TO RENEW, JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

    then and now segment

    IN HONOR OF OUR UPCOMING CAR & BOAT SHOW...

    Can you guess what year this picnic took place,

    and what park they were at?

    Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out!

    historic photograph of several early 20th century cars in a field with trees in the background

    from the desk of your executive director with an image of a crowd from the car and boat show

    Welcome to August, the month where we host our annual COLLECTOR CAR & CLASSIC BOAT SHOW! This year marks 25 years since the very first show was introduced to Lake Oswego, and at the show, we'll be highlighting several of the very important individuals who brought it to life.

    As our major fundraiser of the year, the Car & Boat Show brings together over 4,000 people to enjoy the amazing collection of vehicles on display. This year, we'll even be hosting some food trucks to encourage more of the festival feel that we all know and love.

    There's still time for you to get involved! Looking to volunteer? Want to register a car, boat, or booth? Interested in sponsoring an award? We need all the involvement we can get to make this year as special as it can be. We especially need someone with a truck that can help us move some of the equipment to the field!

    All of the funds donated throughout this event directly support the Oswego Heritage Council's mission to preserve and promote the history of Lake Oswego.

    Kathryn Sinor

    Executive Director

    car and boat show poster

    VOLUNTEER FOR THE SHOW TODAY!

    we need volunteers with image of volunteers from the car and boat show

    we're looking for... list below

    We need help locating photographs of

    early prominent Oswego women!

    Our new exhibit, opening in early October, highlights voting and civic engagement throughout Oswego's history, featuring stories of how women engaged in politics before and after they gained the legal right to vote. We are hoping to find images of the following women:

    Anna Schneller Conway (1872-1936) and Mary C. Smith (c. 1863-?): Conway and Smith were the first two women to run for Oswego City Council in 1913

    Hilma Lindberg (1911-1989): Lindberg ran for City Council in 1952, and the Oswego Review ran a candidate profile

    Ellen Bergis (1898-2003): Bergis was the first woman elected to the Oswego City Council and served from 1955-56

    Do you have photographs of any of these women? Please reach out to us today at director@oswegoheritage.org!

    list of upcoming events

    find us 8/14 at LO's summer concert

    then and now segment

    historic photograph of several early 20th century cars in a field with trees in the background

    Were you able to guess what year this picnic took place,

    and what park they were at?

    Even more than a hundred years ago (circa 1915), people were excited to visit Oswego Lake's beach! They lined up at what is now George Rogers Park, on the lawn in front of the iron furnace, often with picnics to celebrate the beautiful days.

    thanks to our sponsors

    Dr. bill and Ricky korach

    Want to Sponsor OHC's Newsletter? Join as a Sponsor Level Member Today!
  • 07/31/2024 10:26 AM | Anonymous

    monthly memo for July 2024 with a photo on the right of a woman in front of the bridge from the banks family collection

    CLICK HERE TO RENEW, JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

    then and now segment

    Can you guess what avenue this is,

    pictured here in circa 1908?

    Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out!

    A historic photo from 1908, black and white. there are a few white buildings visible, a hill in the distance, and a dirt road

    from the desk of the executive director, with an image of the right of her and two volunteers from the west Linn historical society

    Thank you to all those who attended The Bootlegger's Ball this last Saturday! We transformed the Heritage House, had a wonderful turnout (with new and familiar faces), and raised some money for both the Oswego Heritage Council and West Linn Historical Society. Our speakeasy show was a huge success for something very different than anything we've done at the house before! Some of my favorite comments:

    "The Heritage House has outdone itself!"

    "I dragged my sister here, who didn't expect to have any fun, and she left the event raving about the burlesque show."

    "Hey, I learned something new tonight!"

    I would like to thank the Historic Music Preservation Project for the incredible music they provided and Lacy Knightly for producing the Speakeasy Soiree. What a blast!

    The funds from this event will go towards several major projects for the Heritage House, including:

    • Lucy Pollard Wedding Dress Restoration
    • Banks Family Collection
    • Exhibit: Voting in Early Oswego
    • Exhibit: Vietnamese Art & History through a local family

    If you weren't able to make it to the event, you can still support these initiatives by donating below!

    Thank you again for all your support!! We couldn't exist without people like you, who care about and support historic work.

    Kathryn Sinor

    Executive Director

    DONATE TODAY

    two images: one on left is of a "closed for violation of national prohibition act" sign and the one on the right is of the cast from the burlesque show

    LO REVIEW: Love letters shine light on century-old
    Lake Oswego courtships

    things are in bloom at the heritage house, with several photos of the rose garden and the heritage house

    Have you stopped by our Historic Rose Garden yet this year? Things are in bloom, and our garden is coming alive with color!

    The Oswego Historic Rose Garden is open daily from dawn until dusk. It was established in 2010 to commemorate Dr. William Cane, whose practice and residence was located at the Oswego Heritage House. At the time Dr. Cane occupied the house (1940-1970s), there was a large circular drive up to the front door planted with roses.

    The Historic Rose Garden is an attempt to recreate Dr. Cane's rose garden using plants that he probably bought from JB Pilkington & Son Nursery.

    DISCOVER THE HISTORIC ROSES HERE

    A reminder that the annual Collector Car & Classic Boat Show will take place on Sunday, August 25th, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM!

    If you're interested in registering your car or boat, signing up to sponsor a trophy or other award, or even looking to volunteer, find more information on our website! This event is only possible through wide community participation, and we can't wait to see you there.

    DISCOVER THIS YEAR'S CAR & BOAT SHOW

    list of upcoming events


    family days on first saturdays

    then and now segment

    A historic photo from 1908, black and white. there are a few white buildings visible, a hill in the distance, and a dirt road

    Were you able to guess what avenue this is,

    pictured here in circa 1908?

    B Avenue in Old Town Oswego! On the righthand side forefront, you can see Henry W. Koehler's home, which is now Baird's on B Bar and Grill, and on the lefthand side is the Johnson Hotel. The Bickner Store and Bickner house are also faintly visible. The view is looking east.

    This is B Avenue in Old Town Oswego! On the righthand side forefront, you can see Henry W. Koehler's home, which is now Baird's on B Bar and Grill, and on the lefthand side is the Johnson Hotel. The Bickner Store and Bickner house are also faintly visible.

    The view is looking east.

    thank you to our sponsors


  • 05/30/2024 12:42 PM | Anonymous

    Monthly memo in June 2024 includes: then and now segment, a note from the director, from the arcives, new exhibit opening, online storymap, upcoming events, then and now segment, and a thank you to our sponsors

    CLICK HERE TO RENEW, JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

    Then and now

    Can you guess what all these women have in common?

    Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out!

    Three photographs, all black and white. The one on the right is of Clara and Cora Wilmot, twins, looking at each other. The middle one is a young girl dressed as a flapper. And the one to the right is three young women in longer skirts/dresses outside.

    From the desk of your executive director

    The Oswego Heritage Council wants to offer a warm CONGRATULATIONS to two important people within our organization:

    Jeannie McGuire, Board Member Emeritus, was awarded the HRAB Merit Award for Historic Preservation, which will hereafter be named the Jeannie McGuire Historic Preservation Award, for her hard work to save multiple historic properties through the years.

    Mark Browne, Archivist for OHC, was awarded the C. Herald Campbell Heritage Champion Award at the Chamber of Commerce's Community Awards on Thursday, for his impressive work in archival preservation across the city.

    These two amazing individuals have done wonderful work, not just for us at OHC, but for organizations across the city. If you see them out and about, make sure to offer your congratulations!

    Kathryn Sinor
    Executive Director

    From the archives

    We are thrilled to be working with the Oswego Quilters, who recently completed a documentation day for several historic quilts -- including a few from the OHC archives! Very soon, we will be bringing in a part of their organization's archives to preserve and educate about this important slice of history. These quilts, and those that made them, tell so many stories, and we can't wait to share!

    If you're excited to learn more, take a listen to an oral history interview that the Oswego Quilters did with one of their members, Emmy Lou Johnson.

    OSWEGO QUILTERS: Oral History with Emmy Lou Johnson

    New exhibit opening

    Join us on Saturday, June 1st, for the opening of
    LO in LOve: Love Stories from Early Oswego!

    The museum will be open for visitors THIS SATURDAY from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Discover love vignettes that are scandalous, romantic, and sometimes doomed from throughout Oswego's history. From the love letters of multiple women in love with the same man to early examples of 20th century wedding dresses to the charming story that explains the simple diary entry "married in a hurry. had to," you'll learn the deeply personal stories from Oswego falling in love.

    Front page of the storymap labeled "All My Love to You, Charlie Boy: the Charles Benjamin Hill Love Letters, 1919-1921"

    In early April 2020, the Executive Director of the Oswego Heritage Council received a phone call from a resident in First Addition, Lake Oswego, wanting to know if we would like a cache of "vintage letters" she found in her attic. The collection would end up consisting of 306 love letters to Charles Benjamin Hill, a lifelong Oswego resident, from multiple young women he met during his travels.

    The letters were organized, scanned, and transcribed as written with misspellings, grammatical errors, and non sequiturs. The Oswego Heritage Council's research team added explanatory footnotes, family histories, and genealogies to provide an understanding of the lives of these women.

    This is a condensed version, available online in a storymap format and with excerpts from the people who wrote to him. If you would like to read the full copy, please visit the Heritage House or the Lake Oswego Public Library.

    VISIT THE STORYMAP

    Upcoming events include: June Chautauqua, exhibit opening, and Bootlegger's Ball

    First Wednesday Chautauqua. Ask the Ancients: Astonishing Advice for Daily Dilemmas by Dr. Sylvia Gray on June 5th, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM at the Heritage House

    The Bootlegger's Ball: a 1920s inspired event of music, dancing, dining, and our original speakeasy soiree. The poster is in art deco style.

    Then and now

    Three photographs, all black and white. The one on the right is of Clara and Cora Wilmot, twins, looking at each other. The middle one is a young girl dressed as a flapper. And the one to the right is three young women in longer skirts/dresses outside.

    Were you able to guess what all these women have in common?

    These photographs were all taken in 1920s Oswego, specifically between the years 1921-1925! The left photograph features Cora and Clara Wilmot, twins who labeled the photograph "45 year old flappers!" The middle photograph is Leah Davidson in 1925, and the final photograph is Rosella Woodward (middle) with two of her friends in 1921.

    This month, we are highlighting fashion and scenery from this era for inspiration for our June 29th event, the Bootlegger's Ball! This is a fundraising event for both the Oswego Heritage Council and the West Linn Historical Society, and donations will benefit both historical organizations. There will be a silent auction, live jazz band, prohibition-style drinks, the optional speakeasy show featuring burlesque professionals, and other opportunities to give.

    GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

    Thank you to our sponsors

    Aase Besson

    Veva Goehler

    Want to Sponsor OHC's Newsletter? Join as a Sponsor Level Member Today!

  • 05/03/2024 2:26 PM | Anonymous

    Monthly memo for May 2024 features then and now segment, a note from the director, ohc in the press, car and boat show open, guess the next exhibit, upcoming events, then and now segment, and thank you to our sponsors. photograph next to words of a letter

    CLICK HERE TO RENEW, JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

    Then and now

    Can you guess what street this is?
    Hint:
     This photograph was taken circa 1908 from the upper stories of the 1893 Oswego School.

    Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out!

    1908 photograph of old town Oswego, which has a few (mostly white) buildings amid a field and trees.

    From the desk of your Executive Director. Photograph of the director smiling next to a poster at the Oregon Heritage Conference

    Last month, I had the joy of presenting a poster at the 2024 Oregon Heritage Conference about our work with Lake Oswego Public Library. These conferences allow us to share Lake Oswego history and the hard work our community does to preserve it on a much broader scale, connecting to other professionals in the field so that we can constantly work to improve our own organization. I'm looking forward to sharing where some of the fresh ideas lead! 

    April was also a big month in other ways: the 1893 painting that was restored thanks to donations from supporters like you has returned to the Heritage House! It is now on full display. If you'd like to read more about the story, please see the LO Review article below. 

    As we shift into spring, and inevitably into summer, you'll be seeing several events, opportunities, and even a new exhibit at the museum. Keep an eye out for these developments, as we'll share them with you first! 

    Kathryn Sinor
    Executive Director

    Oswego Heritage Council presents 2024 Collector Car & Classic Boat Show. Save the date for August 25, 9 o'clock. Register your spot online today

    REGISTER YOUR CAR TODAY! 

    Our vehicle display area at George Rogers Park is limited, so sign up your car or motorcycle now to secure your place at this outstanding community event attended by enthusiasts from throughout the region. Our show is exceptional because it’s not a strictly judged show but rather a fun and unique event for families and enthusiasts.

    SPONSOR AN AWARD!

    Choose a favorite car and present them with an award during the show's ceremony! Sponsorship opportunities range in level of support, but all donations benefit the Oswego Heritage Council's mission to preserve and promote the history of Lake Oswego.

    HOST A BOOTH!

    Know a business that would benefit from having a booth at the show? Vendor booths will be amongst the action, reaching the thousands of visitors that attend the show.

    REGISTER A BOAT!

    We need more boats! If you or someone you know has a boat that they're interested in displaying, we'd love to have you at Sundeleaf Plaza. Classic boat registration is free, although additional cleaning fees may be present if coming from outside the lake.

    Guess the next exhibit!

    Last week, we posted this hint on social media to guess the next exhibit! We'll be revealing the name and opening date of our exhibit soon, but if you'd like to guess in the meantime, see if you can fill in the blanks! 

    Need some more help? Here's another hint of the subject matter, from an excerpt of a letter that connects to one of our highlighted stories:

    ". . . you know this is Leap Year and you had better be careful, or some girl will claim you as their 'Sweetie' ‘cause you’re an awfully nice boy."

    Want to keep up to date on what we post? Follow us on Facebook or Instagram @oswegoheritage!

    Upcoming events feature May Chautauqua, First Saturday, and Pints from the Past

    First Wednesday Chautauqua, All My Love to You, Charlie Boy: A Story from the OHC Archives

    Family Days on First Saturdays at the Oswego Heritage Council icon, with the Heritage House in the background. Other text says: Join us at the Oswego Heritage House for fun activities and history every first Saturday of the month! Free to attend from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Learn more at www.oswegoheritage.org

    Then and now

    1908 photograph of old town Oswego, which has a few (mostly white) buildings amid a field and trees.

    Were you able to guess which street this photograph featured, circa 1908?

    This is 1908 Old Town Oswego! The building on the left with a pole in the front is the LO Post Office (the Prosser Store), and the building behind the tree is the Odd Fellows Building. The photo was taken looking east from the steps or upper stories of the Oswego School on State Street, now the Lakewood Center for the Arts.

    Thank you to our sponsors

    Want to Sponsor OHC's Newsletter? Join as a Sponsor Level Member Today!

  • 03/29/2024 2:41 PM | Anonymous

    CLICK HERE TO RENEW, JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

    Then & Now

    Can you guess what bridge this is?
    Hint:
     This railroad bridge crosses the Willamette River near the north end of Lake Oswego. 

    Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out!

    Circa 1910 photograph of ten men on a half-built railroad bridge in Oswego

    From the desk of your executive director

    I hope you enjoyed the glimpse of spring we were lucky enough to receive! It's settling over the Heritage House in jumps and starts, with daffodils showing their brilliant color and a few pink blossoms poking their heads out. 

    With Spring comes an exciting time of planning for us here at the Heritage House. We have a really exciting 1920s-themed event we'll be promoting soon, along with an upcoming new exhibit and our continued strategic visioning. In short, it's shaping up to a wonderful year! 

    But with all these fun programs to look forward to, I want to take a moment to look back at a few of our Board Members who have paved the way for our success. Mary Puskas, who is retiring from her position but was the Board President when I joined OHC and provided me with invaluable insight as I started my role, and Jeannie McGuire, who will be specially recognized later this year.

    Our team is truly incredible, I can't say it enough. And as we onboard new Board Members who carry a deep passion for historical work and for this community, it's always important to take a moment to give thanks to those who came before us and built the strong foundation that makes growth at the Heritage House now possible. 

    Kathryn Sinor
    Executive Director

    THE OREGONIAN: Discover the hard work it took for one of our Board Members to remove racist language from their home deed

    Did you miss last month's Chautauqua? Preserving your family's history

    DID YOU MISS THE FAMILY ARCHIVISTS' TALK ON PRESERVING YOUR FAMILY'S HISTORY?

    Our presenter, Rachel, recorded her presentation and has shared it with us. A link is available here on our website under the "Earlier This Season" section, along with a list of upcoming Chautauqua presentations so you don't have to miss the next ones! If you have any issues viewing the presentation, please let me know.

    WANT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES? 

    If you're looking for additional resources on how to get started, how to organize family photographs, or other tips and tools to get your family's archives together, feel free to respond to this newsletter. The Family Archivists provided several items to share! 

    Indexing project update. Photo includes a screenshot of part of an excel sheet that lists several items in the OHC archives

    Remember when we talked about creating an index for the public library's history collection? Well, volunteers have been hard at work for the past few months working on an index for OUR collection! Here's a quick behind-the-scenes look:

    Indexing allows us to build a navigable list of what's in a group of items. Instead of researchers digging through thousands of items, the index will allow them to understand at a glance what they'll find.

    The first phase of this process involves volunteers going through our family collections. They include important dates, names, and a general idea of what the item contains. This is an example of a first draft; from these details, we'll build a searchable list for researchers.

    Interested on staying up to date on our projects? Follow us on social media! 

    Upcoming events include the April Chautauqua on Wednesday, April 3rd, Museum closure from April 2nd - 6th, and the Sustainability Fair on Saturday, April 20th.

    April 3 First Wednesday Chautauqua: The Transformation of Modern India by Dr. David Campion. Free to attend from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM at the Oswego Heritage House

    Oswego Heritage Museum hours: The museum will be closed to the public from 4/2-4/6

    Then & Now

    Top photo is 1910 photograph of ten men on top of a half-built bridge. Bottom photograph is current photo of the railroad bridge.

    Were you able to guess which bridge this photograph featured, c. 1910 to now?

    The 1910 census lists 14 men boarding in Oswego who were working on a bridge. The Southern Pacific Railroad Bridge, now called the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge, features in several historic photographs now on display in our Industry of Early Oswego photo exhibit. As the majestic backdrop of a sternwheeler pushing sawdust barge to the cement plant or visible in the background of a shot of the pipe foundry, this bridge connects us to the past in many ways! 

    Come Visit Our Featured Exhibits!

  • 02/03/2024 9:40 AM | Anonymous
    Monthly memo for February 2024 includes: Then & Now segment, a note from the director, new photo exhibit, OHC in the press, annual meeting invite, podcast interview, upcoming events, then & now segment, and sponsor. There is a photo to the right of Lake Oswego during the ice storm of 1962.
    CLICK HERE TO RENEW, JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

    Then & Now

    Can you guess this Lake Oswego street, c. 1890?

    Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out!

    A circa 1890 street in Lake Oswego. The street is mostly mud with tracks on it. There is a coach being pulled by a horse and several people around.

    From the desk of your Executive Director

    We hope everyone has stayed safe during the January ice storm! While the Heritage House remained untouched, in large part due to Board Member Scott Havens taking care of dangerous tree limbs two weeks before the storm, things got a little too close for comfort when a large tree fell across A Avenue -- and directly in front of the house. We know that not everyone was lucky, and the amount of damage to houses, businesses, and the community is something weighing heavy in Lake Oswego. 

    On social media, we had shared some photos of the big storm that passed through Lake Oswego in 1962, which sparked some great conversation about where people were, what they were doing, and what came from the storm. It was a good reminder of the power these storms have to hurt a community -- and how important it is to come together afterwards. The power of history! 

    In February, we're moving forward with our Annual Member Meeting on Saturday, Feb. 17th, and hope you'll join us! We will be unveiling one incredible piece of Lake Oswego history, freshly mounted by Chrisman Framing. Can you guess the item in the photo before its big reveal? 

    Stay safe out there, and enjoy the glimpses of sunny weather this weekend is bringing! 

    Kathryn Sinor
    Executive Director

    New photo exhibit of Oswego Industry. Includes an image of a group of men in front of lumber and a farmer in a field.

    OSWEGO INDUSTRY

    The theme for our new photo exhibit was chosen by museum supporters like you! Touching on some of the major industries in Oswego during the 19th and 20th centuries, OSWEGO INDUSTRY will allow guests to explore what work was prevalent in a growing community. This photo exhibit will be in our meeting space area and will be on display through 2024, beginning in mid-February. 

    We hope you'll check it out!

    OHC in the Press: Lake Oswego heritage council joins initiative to increase museum access

    Annual Meeting: 17 February, 2024 from 10-11:00 AM. Join OHC for a morning of community, history, and vision.

    Join us on Saturday, February 17th, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM for our annual meeting! Discover how the Oswego Heritage Council did in 2023, learn more about our archival projects, and engage with your fellow community members at this event. 

    There will be treats and coffee available for a brief social hour, beginning at 9:30 AM. A special unveiling will occur at the conclusion of the meeting. 

    Vintage photo of the Heritage House with the words "Now Streaming: Listen to our interview with Preservation Oaks, a history podcast about museums, to learn more about OHC!"

    Go behind-the-scenes with Oswego Heritage Council in an interview between our Executive Director, Kathryn, and the host of Preservation Oaks, Sean.

    Preservation Oaks highlights Museums, Cultural and Heritage Institutions, Historical and Genealogical Societies, and history focused Media Creators across the United States. In this episode, discover more about one of Lake Oswego's historical gems!

    LISTEN NOW

    Upcoming events include February Chautauqua, Annual Member Meeting, and Wardrobe Wishlist

    First Wednesday Chautauqua on February 7th. The History and Mystery of Magic with David Charvet. Free to attend from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM at the Springs in Lake Oswego

    Interested in more magic? Attend West Linn Historical Society's CONJURING VAUDEVILLE!

     

    NEW DATE FOR THE WARDROBE WISH LIST! 

    FEBRUARY 24TH, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 

    The 1909 School presents Wardrobe Wish List. Event flyer for Kay Demlow's event with the Heritage House

    Then & Now

    A circa 1890 street in Lake Oswego. The street is mostly mud, with tracks through it from wagons and coaches. A coach being pulled by a horse is visible, and several people are around.

    Can you see the similarities to the Lake Oswego street, from 1890 to today?

    The street was A avenue (E view toward the river and between 1st and 2nd Street)!

    An image of A Avenue in Lake Oswego, with a view toward the river and between 1st and 2nd Streets.

    Thank you to our sponsors


  • 01/08/2024 11:37 AM | Anonymous


    Monthly Memo for January 2024 includes: Then & Now segment, a note from the director, OHC in the press, Giving Tuesday update, vote for OHC in the LO Review, Museums for All, upcoming events, and Then & Now segment

    Then & Now

    Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to see how the site of the new picnic shelter at George Rogers Park compares to the site in 1867!

    The new picnic shelter at George Rogers Park, 2023

    The new picnic shelter at George Rogers Park was installed in 2023.

    From the desk of your Executive Director

    We hope everyone has had a happy and safe holiday season! While we are wrapping up 2023, we are also looking forward to 2024, 2025, and beyond... The OHC Board of Directors is working hard to establish a long-term vision for the Oswego Heritage Council, and we can't plan on the future without you! This plan will encompass the next 3-5 years and allow us to build our organization into a more community-based, forward-thinking museum and archives.

    Keep your eye out for opportunities to get involved, and SAVE THE DATE for our annual member meeting on Saturday, February 17th, at 10:00 AM. We'll be reviewing how we did in 2023, share big plans for 2024, and have a special surprise planned for those in attendance.

    Looking forward to a great new year!

    Kathryn Sinor

    Executive Director

    OHC in the Press: Lake Oswego group undertakes preservation
    of Oregon Iron & Steel Company records

    5 ways to support the Oswego Heritage Council on Giving Tuesday

    Here's how we did during this year's
    Giving Tuesday!

    This year, we launched a Giving Tuesday campaign to encourage people to engage with OHC! If you're wondering how we did, here are our goals and numbers:

    GOAL 1 MEMBERSHIP: With a goal of 20 new or renewed memberships, we got halfway there!

    GOAL 2 SOCIAL MEDIA: With a goal of having 15 new followers on Instagram and Facebook, we just beat that goal by having 16 new followers!

    GOAL 4 ARCHIVAL DONATIONS: While we were not able to complete our entire goal for donations to the Library Project, we're thrilled to announce that the renovation of a recently acquired 1893 painting has been fully funded by donations!

    GOAL 5 VOLUNTEERS: With a goal of 5 new volunteers, we were lucky to bring in 3 new volunteers who are currently working on important projects to help make history more accessible.

    Still want to participate in the giving season?

    Follow us on Facebook or Instagram!

    Donate to Archival Projects Today

    Vote for Oswego Heritage Council for the very best of Lake Oswego

    The Lake Oswego Review and West Linn Tiding papers are hosting a Best of Lake Oswego and West Linn contest! Vote for OHC's nomination today for the Best Place to Bring Out-of-Towners under "Things to Do"!

    Voting period is until 01/24/24, with the top three nominees in each category moving onto the voting round.

    Vote on the LO Review website today!

    Museums for All: an initiation of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Proud participating museum

    Today, the Oswego Heritage Council announced that it has joined Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits.

    The program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting the Oswego Heritage Council by providing a free museum membership with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Similar free and reduced admission is available to eligible members of the public at more than 850 museums across the country. Museums for All is part of the Oswego Heritage Council’s broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences.

    Museums for All helps expand access to museums and also raise public awareness about how museums in the U.S. are reaching their entire communities. More than 850 institutions participate in the initiative, including art museums, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos, history museums, and more. Participating museums are located nationwide, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

    Want to learn more? Visit the Museums for All Website.

    Upcoming Events include Wardrobe Wishlist, February Chautauqua, and Annual Member Meeting


    The 1909 School presents Wardrobe Wish List on Saturday, January 20, 2024, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM by Kay Demlow

    George Rogers Park, picnic shelter, 2023

    George Rogers Park, picnic shelter (2023)

    Charcoal shed on the north side of Green Street, 1867

    Charcoal shed on the north side of Green Street

    The iron furnace is on the far right, inside the building with the chimney. This detail of photo was provided by Carleton Watkins, 1867. Thanks to Susanna Kuo for sharing!


  • 12/04/2023 10:53 AM | Anonymous

    Monthly memo for december 2023 includes: a note from the Director, Giving Tuesday, Vote for the next mini exhibit, update on LOPL project, upcoming events, from the archives, and for educators. The photo to the right is of the Turnell Bros Grocery in circa 1920, opposite present day Lakewood Center for the Arts

    CLICK HERE TO RENEW, JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

    from the desk of your executive director

    We were saddened to receive news on the loss of Bill Warner, someone who was passionate and committed to the preservation of Lake Oswego history, supported endless community endeavors, and left such a positive impact throughout his life. Because of Bill Warner, we were able to make Lake Oswego history more accessible than ever, and we are all the better for his presence. 

    To quote Dr. Stephen Beckham, "Bill Warner was a marvelous positive thinker and a man committed to his community. He was a stalwart for years in support of the Oswego Heritage Council. He was ever ready to serve on a committee and share his wise advice. He was a businessman who shared his time and resources for the benefit of all of us who live here. He will be missed." 

    We hope to honor his memory at the Heritage House and are incredibly grateful to have known him. 

    Kathryn Sinor
    Executive Director


    5 ways to support the Oswego Heritage Council on Giving Tuesday

    There's still time to support Oswego Heritage for Giving Tuesday! 

    Join as a member or renew your membership between now and December 28th for the chance to win a gift certificate to the OHC Gift Shop, where you can find some incredible gifts for the holiday season! 

    If you want to support us in other ways, consider: 

    • Following us on social media 
    • Visiting the museum with your friends or family
    • Signing up to volunteer
    • Donating directly to archival project
    Donate to Archival Projects Today!


    Vote for the next photo exhibit in the meeting space

    Vote NOW for the theme of our next photo exhibit. This mini-exhibit will pull from historic photographs within our collection and be set-up in our community meeting space.

    Possible themes include:

    ⛏ Industry (logging, railroad, iron)

     ‍♀️ Recreational activities

      Agriculture

      Around town (businesses, houses, streets, etc.)

    VOTE TODAY!


    The library project, the next stage, indexing historical collections to allow easy navigation

    A brief update on our project with the Lake Oswego Public Library on their historical collection!

    This incredible partnership has allowed OHC to work with new volunteers on organizing and cataloguing thousands of photographs, documents, and more. With the bulk of the preservation work accomplished, we are now in our next stage: INDEXING.

    Indexing allows us to build a navigable list of what's in a group of items. Instead of researchers digging through thousands of photographs, the index will allow them to understand at a glance what they'll find. This incredibly useful tool means that the LOPL historical collection will soon be easier to navigate!

    AND THAT'S NOT ALL...

    Once we're done with the LOPL collection, we'll be working on our own! These indexes will be available on our website so that you can see, in depth, the items we have in our archives. A great tool for researchers and the curious alike!

    Upcoming events include the holiday market, historical fashion workshop, and February Chautauqua

    The museum will be closed to the public: 

    December 7th and 8th

    December 27th through January 1st

    January 3rd through 5th

    We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to seeing you in the new year!

    Oswego Heritage Council Holiday Marketplace on Wednesday, December 6 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the Oswego Heritage House


    From the archives

    The peg from Oswego's peg tree has come home! 

    The Peg Tree is the survivor of a stand of fir trees that once lined Furnace Street down to the Iron Company Furnace. The magnificent row provided a natural park but was mostly cut down by order of the county road supervisor in the late 1800s.

    The Peg Tree provided a gathering place for the residents of early Oswego. Hanging a lantern from a wooden peg to provide lighting, community members set up roughhewn benches and conducted business under the branches. Adam Randolph Shipley provided religious instruction at the site from 1852 onwards, and the Oswego Grange #175 would be built there in 1890, serving as a school during the week, a meeting place on Saturdays, and a Methodist Church on Sundays. The Peg Tree has seen generations of Oswego history and remains growing today.

    The original peg that hung in the Peg Tree will soon be on permanent display in the Oswego Heritage Museum. 

    resources list for educators includes free membership, classroom visits, and local history primary sources

    Do you know a teacher? 

    We have new resources available on our website for educators teaching local history. There is downloadable curriculum, best for 2nd - 4th graders, to discover the ways in which their local community has changed over time. We are also now accepting applications for free classroom visits with a Then & Now program. Get involved today, and share with the educators in your life!

    EDUCATOR RESOURCES


  • 11/01/2023 2:34 PM | Anonymous

    Monthly Memo for November 2023 includes: A note from the director, new exhibit, OHC in the press, upcoming events, from the archive, free teacher / student membership, educator resources, and thanks to our sponsors! Photo to the right is of Lulu Magone with unbound, long hair from 1915 and a caption that reads: Before she cut her hair for the first time. The Magones are featured in our new exhibit.

    CLICK HERE TO RENEW, JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

    From the desk of your executive director. Photo to the right of Kathryn and a volunteer dressed in 1905 attire.

    The Oswego Heritage House has been busy! 

    We have just launched our new exhibit, "THE GOOD DEATH," which explores our changing relationship to death through the eyes of Oswego's early families. Our membership changes have gone live on our website. The Chautauqua lecture series is in full swing, and the Holiday Marketplace is planned. We have some new programming opportunities for classrooms and are beginning to plan out some exciting events for the upcoming year! 

    In short, we want to thank you for your support, whether that be through a membership, showing up to an event, or expressing interest in what we do. We wouldn't have been able to accomplish all that we have without our amazing supporters, and in this month of being thankful, we can't help but highlight you all! 

    Stay tuned for more exciting developments as we head into the last two months of 2023. 

    Kathryn Sinor
    Executive Director

    The Good Death: Dying through the eyes of Oswego's early families. Photo of Dena Prosser's funeral procession in 1890s

    What does it mean to have "A Good Death"?

    Families in early Oswego dealt with the cycle of life on an intimate level, as had every generation prior to them. Birth was at home, as was the gruesome process of dying and death, but the difficulty was ameliorated by community involvement.  Following a few key families in Oswego, this exhibit traces the changing customs around death and explores complex questions about grieving, dying, and how we treat our dead. 

    Join us for the official opening of the exhibit, including an introduction on caring for family photos with The Family Archivists! 

    SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH 
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 
    OSWEGO HERITAGE HOUSE 
    398 10th St., Lake Oswego, Oregon

    LO REVIEW: Lake Oswego's evolving relationship with death

    First Wednesday Chautauqua: Whistle Punks and Misery Whips: Logging the Williamette Valley, 1850 to 1960 by Dr. Stephen Beckham

    From the archives. Photo to the right of Dr. Mark Browne giving a presentation at the Lake Oswego Public Library

    Archivist Mark Browne has a new area of interest: Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver, the first women in the Pacific Northwest to own and operate their own landscape architecture firm. He's given several presentations to organizations about their contributions to the area, including a few Lake Oswego gardens that are still in existence today. 

    If you're interested in his presentation, don't worry! It's coming soon to a Chautauqua lecture near you. In the meantime, learn more about these incredible women on the Lord & Schryver Conservatory website here.


    FREE MEMBERSHIP LEVEL for teachers and students!

    Do you know a teacher? 

    We have new resources available on our website for educators teaching local history. There is downloadable curriculum, best for 2nd - 4th graders, to discover the ways in which their local community has changed over time. We are also now accepting applications for free classroom visits with a Then & Now program. Get involved today, and share with the educators in your life!

    EDUCATOR RESOURCES

    Thanks to our sponsors



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Oswego Heritage House and Museum
398 10th St.
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
(503) 635-6373

Hours of Operation:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Free entrance

The Oswego Heritage Council is a  501 (c)(3)
EIN # 93-0983947

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