Oregon Historic Preservation Latest: Cemetery Commission, St. Helens Landmark

Published 09/09/2019 at 10:33 PM PDT - Updated 09/09/2019 at 10:34 PM PDT
By OREGON TRAVEL DAILY STAFF

(Salem, Oregon) – Historical preservation in Oregon continues its forward march. A state commission overseeing old cemeteries is looking to keep its pace, and the city of St. Helens just received a grant to move forward with a major historical renovation project.

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries is seeking volunteers to fill two positions one for coastal Oregon and one that brings the perspectives of one Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes.

The Commission is seeking members with knowledge related to and interest in cemeteries, historic preservation, genealogy, cultural and burial practices of ethnic groups found in Oregon, landscaping and native plants, and history.

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries is comprised of seven citizens and is empowered by the Legislature to develop and maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries in Oregon, make recommendations for funding, obtain grant funding, seek legislative appropriations for historic cemeteries, and assist in the coordination of restoration, renovation and maintenance of historic cemeteries statewide.

The group meets four times per year in changing locations around the state. There may be an occasional additional meeting for extra projects, programs and grant selection. Commissioners are also asked to provide informal meetings in their regions and work on other projects outside of meeting time.

To apply, send a letter of interest and resume to commission coordinator Kuri Gill at Kuri.Gill@oregon.gov or 503-986-0685. Please include your reasons for wanting to serve on the commission, any skills or knowledge you will bring to its work, and ideas or goals you have for your participation. Please submit your information before October 3, 2019.

More information about the Historic Cemeteries program is available online at www.oregonheritage.org.

Over near the Oregon Coast Range, the City of St. Helens received a grant through the federal Historic Preservation Fund, administered by Oregon State Historic Preservation Office to fund the following local preservation project.

$11,500.00 in grant funds will go towards boosting the historic Columbia Theatre in town. The city is looking to replace the existing canopy marquee with a matching one.

To provide comments or learn more information about this project visit www.oregonheritage.org and follow the federal grant public comment page link or contact Tracy Schwartz at Tracy.Schwartz@oregon.gov or 503-986-0661.