Oregon Parks Dept Seeks to Honor Historic Preservationists, Assist Old Cemetaries
Published 01/13/2010
(Salem, Oregon) – Oregon’s Parks and Recreation Department is diving into history into two interesting ways this month.
First, nominations for the Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards are being taken, for those who have committed themselves in preserving the state’s history in exceptional ways. Meanwhile, those interested in preserving southern Oregon’s historic cemetaries will get a boost with a special event in January.
Somewhere in communities all across the state there are examples of excellence for efforts on behalf of Oregon's heritage, and the Oregon Heritage Commission and State Historic Preservation Office wish to recognize those individuals, businesses and organizations for such outstanding efforts.
Nominations for Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards are encouraged for exceptional and meritorious work; special consideration is given to the development of new ideas, approaches and innovations in heritage-related activities. The awards are also intended to honor those who have made the most from available resources and skills.
Award nominations should be postmarked no later than January 25. A complete nomination package, which includes an application and other supporting material, is available at
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/award_info.shtml. The site also lists previous Heritage Excellence Award recipients.
The 2010 Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards will be presented at an Oregon Heritage Regional Roundup April 9 by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's Heritage Programs Division.
For more information contact David Bogan at Heritage.Programs@state.or.us or (503) 986-0671.
In southern Oregon, Historic cemetery advocates can share ideas, concerns and achievements over a brown bag lunch January 20 in Medford as the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) continues its outreach effort.
OCHC commissioner Dirk Siedlecki of Eagle Point will represent the seven-member commission at the Medford event which will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the Santo Community Center, 701 North Columbus Avenue, room #5.
Program coordinator Kuri Gill of OPRD said advocates of historic cemeteries in Southern Oregon have embraced the brown bag sessions. "These lunches have been a wonderful way for them to find moral support, new ideas and camaraderie in their efforts to preserve historic cemeteries."
Please bring your own lunch. Water, coffee and dessert will be provided. For more information about the event contact Dirk Siedlecki at (541) 826-9939.
The state historic cemeteries program maintains a list of Oregon's historic cemeteries and offers a variety of educational, financial and technical resources for those working to preserve them. Details are available online at www.oregonheritage.org or by contacting Gill at Kuri.Gill@state.or.us, or by phone at 503-986-0685.
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