Funding made possible through the sale of Pacific Wonderland License Plates.
This is the first edition of the Oregon State Capitol History Center Project Newsletter and is being sent to you as someone who may be particularly interested in this exciting new project at your Oregon State Capitol.
Season's Greeting from the Oregon Capitol Foundation - video
In this Issue:
Project Status
Research Update
Get Involved
Willson Park
Capitol Foundation
Members
Sen Jason Atkinson*
Sen Betsy Johnson
Sen Joanne Verger
Rep Vicki Berger
Rep Brian Clem*
Rep Matt Wingard
Sandra Allen
Frankie Bell*
Kathryn Boe-Duncan
Frank Brawner
Jane Cease*
Herb Colomb*
Verne A. Duncan
Paul Hanneman
Ginny Lang
Bill Markham
Anthony Meeker
Fred Neal*
Norma Paulus
Annette Price
Norm Smith
Gerry Thompson
Fred VanNatta*, Chair
Gary Wilhelms
* Project Governance
Committee Member
Legislation passed in 2005 directed the Legislative Administrator to designate space for a History Center in the Capitol. With funding made possible through the sale of Pacific Wonderland License Plates, the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, working with a broad number of partners, is now laying plans to bring this vision to life.
With help from Legislative Administration and a strategic planning firm (The Canoe Group) the Foundation reached the following early agreements about the project:
- The History Center will have a physical presence in the Capitol, supplemented by online content.
- The History Center Project will identify potential partners.
- It will be sustainable, affordable and adaptable.
- It will make the very most of what we already have in place.
- It will connect with organizations and citizens across the state who are already deeply involved with and invested in retaining the unique history of our State Capitol.
The State Capitol is the most frequently visited heritage site in the state, with over 300,000 visitors annually. The research currently underway is designed to answer questions that will guide the Foundation through the process of defining essential elements necessary to preserve the past, engage future generations and enhance the visitor’s experience.
Through a series of in-person interviews, surveys and focus group meetings, the research will answer the following questions:
- What’s the most meaningful story you know about the Capitol?
- When school children visit the Capitol, what should they remember after they leave?
- What are visitors most curious to know?
- Why do they come? What do they want from their experience?
- What does our State Capitol – and all that is in it – communicate from the past and portend for the future.
- What would the people who have worked here tell us to “not forget”?
The development of a strategic plan to establish a Capitol History Center will be completed in May 2012. Your participation is appreciated. An online survey will be available in January. There will be focus groups scheduled. If you have questions or additional suggestions, contact the Legislative Administration Office at 503-986-1848 or send an email to Legislative.Administration@state.or.us.
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William Holden Willson |
The Oregon Institute directed him to sell plots (some as low as $12 an acre) and the settlement on the Chemeketa plains began to grow. Dr. Willson's civic activities included starting the first drug store in Salem and serving on the board of trustees of Willamette University.
Dr. Willson died suddenly in April 1856, at the age of fifty one. He was buried in the old Oddfellows cemetery (now Pioneer Cemetery).
Article Provided by: Sandy Allen, OSCF Member
