What modern Lake Oswego neighborhood sits atop the Oswego Mine?
This 1893 map was produced by the Oregon Iron & Steel Company.
Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out more!
Summer's a busy time for everyone, but this season is the Heritage House's big fundraising event season! Our two main fundraising events for this year (The Bootlegger's Ball and the Car & Boat Show) are more important than ever, as all proceeds will go towards supporting a few major projects underway:
- New exhibit: A new permanent installation on the history of Lake Oswego, told through a timeline which highlights the people who lived here, the institutions that transformed the community, and how things changed in an engaging format
- Free educational programs: Which allows us to go into Lake Oswego classrooms to teach students about the history of their community without charge
- House maintenance: This year, we've already gotten new gutters, had to take down a tree, replace our heater, and are scheduled to replace a failed window... All this adds up, and that's on top of all the ongoing maintenance that goes into a historic building.
- AND SO MUCH MORE!
I say all of this to make it abundantly clear how much we depend on your support, whether that's coming to the events, donating, being a member, renting our facility, or even just promoting the Heritage House. We're excited for all that's going to be made possible this year.
Kathryn Sinor
Executive Director
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A few weeks ago, we highlighted that we had acquired a 1902 book of bound letters from Oswego mayor A. King Wilson to his wife. If you visited our last exhibit on voting and civic engagement, you may recognize his wife's name: Dora Espy Wilson, an early suffragist in Oswego who was part of the Oswego Women's Club and worked as Election Chair in 1913 (along with many, many other accomplishments).
King Wilson served as mayor of Oswego from 1915 - 1918, making him one of the first to serve in the role. The Wilsonia train station is named after him. And while the letters themselves have fascinating information about his life and thoughts, they include some truly charming pieces too: a series of photographs from a booth, menus, receipts, and other scraps from his travels that allow us to view a larger world.
Recently, a volunteer transcribed the collection, which is now available to read. Archivist Mark Browne is working on a researched, annotated version to reveal more information about the contents and context for these letters. One of our volunteers is also working on a Storymap to track his journey. Stay tuned for more, but in the meantime, check out the transcribed version!
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Come support local history, bring your family, wear your Lake Oswego gear, and join the Heritage House to walk in the Fourth of July parade!
We will be walking with a vehicle and tossing out candy as we parade from Iron Mountain Blvd to Chandler & 10th Street, onto A Avenue, and concluding at 2nd Street & Evergreen Road. If you would like to join us, just respond to this email! You'll be able to park at the Heritage House, and we'll have a Lake Oswego hat you can wear if needed.
LAST DAY TO GET TICKETS
With tickets going fast, get yours before they're gone.
Step back in time to the 1920s, when the music was big and the booze was illegal! There will be live jazz music, light dining, and for those willing to bend the rules, for those who have the secret invite, a burlesque show in our speakeasy soiree. Don your skirts that fall above your ankles, put on your best suits and biggest hats, and be prepared for a night of vices, history, and fun.
The Bootlegger's Ball is a fundraising event for the Oswego Heritage Council and the West Linn Historical Society. Donations will benefit both historical organizations. There will be a silent auction, live jazz band, prohibition-style drinks, the optional speakeasy show which features burlesque professionals, and other opportunities to give.
Dressing up is encouraged, but not required!
Featuring...
The Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra
The Headless Carriage Club
Historical Burlesque Performers
A 1920s One Day Exhibit
Behind the Scenes Tour
And more!
Did you figure out what modern Lake Oswego neighborhood sits atop the Oswego Mine?
The top image is an 1893 map of the Oswego Mine produced by Oregon Iron & Steel Co. The bottom image was created by City Surveyor Gerald King and is overlaid atop the same 1893 mine map by the present day Uplands neighborhood.
There's so much history beneath our feet! Discover more maps from our collection and the library's on the Lake Oswego Public Library's digital history portal: http://history.ci.oswego.or.us/
