Celebrating Oregon's Most Endangered Places, a Profile on the Preservation Bicyclist, and Secrets of the Graves

[Brandon Spencer-Hartle]

What a busy week it's been here at HPLO Headquarters. First, we spent Tuesday at the Capitol in Salem with the Cultural Advocacy Coalition reminding our legislators that heritage, arts, and historic preservation can create jobs, build strong communities, and enrich the lives of Oregonians young and old. Second, we've been putting the finishing touches on the program for our March Jacksonville Preservation Roundtable (if you live in Southern Oregon and haven't RSVP'd, tickets are going fast). But, the absolute most most exciting part of the week is that the HPLO has awarded $17,500 in preservation grants to Oregon's 2011 Most Endangered Places. Not just that, but the $17,500 is being matched by local resources, meaning that seven of the ten Most Endangered Places will receive a grand total of more than $35,000 in research, planning, and rehabilitation. A BIG thank you to the Kinsman Foundation, HPLO donors, and several very supportive consultants for making these strategic grants possible.

Here's a run down of where each of the 2011 Most Endangered Places stand today:

Baker City Middle School. The 5J School Board may be moving ahead with the sale of the building, highlighting the need for louder local support for preservation and reuse. 

Burnett House. HPLO grant funds will allow original windows and doors to be sensitively restored. 

Civic Stadium. Conceptual drawings and site plans are being prepared by a local landscape architect hired with HPLO grant dollars. 

Dr. Pierce's Barn. The demolition permit remains active, however the building still stands unaltered. 

Egyptian Theater. HPLO grant funds will assist with a much-needed feasibility study. 

Ermatinger House. HPLO grant dollars will contribute to planning and permitting for the building's rehabilitation. 

Lifesaving Station. HPLO grant dollars will allow the property to be nominated to the National Register. 

Petersen Rock Garden. HPLO grant dollars will get the property nominated to the National Register. 

Watson-Price Barn. A phased rehabilitation plan will be completed with HPLO grant dollars and a donated laser scan will document the existing condition of the barn in extraordinary detail. 

Whited Farmstead. The property is moving towards local landmark designation. 

The HPLO will continue to work on behalf of these ten properties in 2012 and beyond, but it's time to nominate a new set of places for this year's list. Get your application in to the HPLO by March 26th to bring technical assistance, visibility, and resources to that special place in your community.  

While we think the grants are wonderful news, it just wouldn't be Friday without a Preservation Roundup so here's a Whitman's Sampler of what's happening around Oregon:   

Astoria. Local historic preservation award nominations are due March 30th. 

Baker City. The Heilner Building is being rehabilitated by the Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida and This Old House reminds us that there are some great houses in Baker.  

Barnville. The NYT features barn preservation efforts (HPLO's Barn Committee is up and running to build support for a statewide barn program for Oregon) 

Cemeteries. A new book, Mad As the Mist and Snow: Exploring Oregon Through Its Cemeteries, reminds us about Oregon's 650+ cemeteries and why we really do love them. Congrats to author Johan Mathiesen for taking "the romance of a pioneer graveyard with its tantalizing glimpses of other times, other worlds," to a whole new level. 

Milwaukie. A nonprofit is working to restore the bomber. 

Portland. A well-known Tudor in NE is for sale, more on the proposed Buckman historic district, details on the two houses recently listed in the National Register, Brian Libby looks at Portlandification and old buildings, the 1907 Medford Hotel will see some significant remodeling, DJC takes a look at the building Portlanders love to hate, and a fire has damaged a couple of turn-of-the century buildings on SE Morrison. 

Salem. Some preservationists walk, some take the bus, some ride a bike... and then there's Chris Bell of ODOT. 

That's it for this week's Preservation Roundup. Check back next Friday for more news and events from around the state and, as always, do let us know what's happening in your corner of Oregon.