This year, Redmond Area Park and Recreation District is joining the Deschutes County Historical Society, Deschutes County Historic Landmarks Commission, the landmarks commissions of Bend and Redmond, Deschutes Land Trust, and other organizations to celebrate Historic Preservation Month.  These organizations and more are hosting events throughout Central Oregon to honor historic preservation success stories – local places that have been saved and restored – and explore how historic preservation maintains our links to the past, and enhances our quality of life today.

For our part, RAPRD is hosting an event at Tetherow Crossing Park to celebrate the unique history of the park, and highlight our efforts to preserve the Tetherow Homestead, the oldest structure in Deschutes County, built in 1878. This homestead was one of the first sites where pioneer families could safely cross the Deschutes River, and the home also served as an inn, general store, blacksmith, and was the site of the first brewery in Deschutes County.  We will have activities for all ages, including:

·         A model general store with penny candy

·         Pioneer-era games

·         A presentation on the Native American game of stickball, the ancestor of modern

lacrosse.

·         Nature crafts and mountain man skills

·         Tours of the property with historic photos

·         Oral histories of early Central Oregonians offered by Deschutes Public Library

·         A booth presenting the genealogical research services the library offers to help local

families trace their roots.

 

Thanks to Summit Cleaning and Restoration, and the Leadership Redmond Class of 2018, the Tetherow Homestead, which has long been closed to the public for safety reasons, has been cleaned and will have some viewpoints open for the public to see (although not enter) inside.

We hope you will join us, and our partner organizations across Central Oregon, to explore efforts to preserve our local heritage through photo displays, hikes, talks, and other events throughout the month of May.  The Kickoff is WEDNESDAY, MAY 2ND at Redmond City Hall, beginning at 5pm!

***To arrange a small-group tour of the Tetherow site, or to inquire about donating funds or volunteer work to the Tetherow preservation project, please email margaret.maffai@raprd.org.

 

HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH 2018 - SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

 

May 2nd, 5pm to 7pm - Preservation Month Showcase, Redmond City Hall

Stop by Redmond City Hall to celebrate the kick-off of Historic Preservation Month, with a variety of preservation exhibits and activities, and see what events are happening during May in Central Oregon. Visit displays of historic properties in Central Oregon and learn about the many supportive organizations for historic preservation. Enjoy a slide show, snacks and refreshments, too. Join tours of both the Historic Downtown District, and of the newly renovated City Hall (formerly the Evergreen School and Redmond Union High School). The Vault Taphouse will offer post-tour drinks and live music!

MAY 3rd, 10am to 12pm - History + Geology Walk at Willow Springs Preserve, guided by Carol Wall & Derek Loeb, Deschutes Land Trust

Join the Deschutes Land Trust, Carol Wall, and Derek Loeb for a spring history and geology walk at Willow Springs Preserve. We’ll wander the meadow and learn about its underlying geology. Then, we’ll dig into the Preserve’s history, including its relationship to the Santiam Wagon Road and those that lived at nearby Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event. Please register online at www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes

Hike Rating: Moderate, 1 to 2 mile hike on old roads and through grassy meadows.

What to bring: Snacks/Lunch, water, sturdy hiking shoes. Dress for the weather.

MAY 3rd, 6:30pm - “Presidents Who Shaped the West”, presented by Richard Etulain,

Bowman Museum, Prineville

Join us at the Bowman Museum in Downtown Prineville for author and Western scholar, Richard Etulain, for an informative presentation on the United States Presidents that helped shape the West! Admission is

Free. Bowman Museum is located at 246 N Main Street, in Prineville.

MAY 5th, 10am to 12pm - Hindman History Wander at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve, guided by Carol Wall & Jan Hodgers, Deschutes Land Trust

Join the Deschutes Land Trust, Carol Wall, and Jan Hodgers for a history wander around Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Explore the starring role that Camp Polk played in the history of Central Oregon as one of the original stopping places on the Santiam Wagon Road. Admire the craftsmanship of the Hindman barn (one of Deschutes County's oldest structures), and imagine what living in the Hindman house would have been like with a descendant of the Hindman family. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event. Please register online at www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes

Hike Rating: Easy, less than 1 mile walk on gravel trail. Portions will be off-trail through a grassy meadows.

What to bring: Snacks, water, sturdy hiking shoes. Dress for the weather.

MAY 7th, 5:30pm - Deschutes County Historic Landmarks Commission Meeting

The Deschutes County HLC holds its regular meeting which coincides with Historic Preservation Month. Planning staff will highlight historic preservation month activities and upcoming projects supported by the renewed Certified Local Government (CLG) grant program. Join us at 1300 NW Wall Street, Barnes & Sawyer Room.

MAY 7th, 6pm to 7pm - Know Heritage: “Quackery: The Heritage of Medicine”, Downtown Bend branch of Deschutes Public Library

Community Librarian Nathan Pedersen presents the worst ways to cure anything. Free admission. Meet at the Brooks Room at the Downtown Bend Library.

May 9th, 12pm to 1pm - Something Old is New in Sisters, Sisters Park & Recreation District. Come learn about the new Three Sisters Historical Society – their mission and vision, the successful first events held this past winter, and the activities planned for this summer. Meet the founders and see a slide show of historic photos that bring early Sisters to life. Held at Sisters Park and Recreation District, 1750 McKinney Butte Road, next to the high school. Event is free of charge.

May 10th, 6:30pm - “The Roots of History: Oregon’s Heritage Trees,” presented by Nate

Pedersen, Bowman Museum, Prineville

Join us at the Bowman Museum in Downtown Prineville for author and community librarian, Nate Pedersen, for a very popular presentation on the Oregon Heritage Tree Program: A Virtual Tour of Oregon's Historic Trees. Admission is Free. Bowman Museum is located at 246 N Main Street, in Prineville.

MAY 13th, 12pm to 4pm - Bend Open Streets in Old Bend Historic District

Bend Open Streets will be on Sunday, May 13th (Mother's Day!) for the NEW “Old-town” Bend route. Bend Open Streets is an initiative of Commute Options, City of Bend, Oregon Government and Bend Park & Recreation District. Temporally closing 1 mile of streets to automobile traffic, so that people may use them for walking, biking, skating, playing and more! It is free, family focused and dog friendly! Bring your bicycle, or just your feet and explore the streets in a safe, healthy and more livable way. Learn more: https://bendopenstreets.org

MAY 15th, 6pm to 7pm - Know Heritage: “Savages in My Family Tree”, Downtown Bend

Deschutes Public Library

Every family's history has hidden stories of characters and their capers, but not everyone goes out of their way to learn about their escapades. Join Clinton K. Clark on his journey to meet and discover the stories of his roughneck relatives who helped settle Oregon with all around Wild West pizzazz.

MAY 15th, 6pm - Bend Historic Landmarks Commission meeting, Bend City Council Chambers.

The Bend Landmarks Commission regular meeting coincides with Preservation Month, open to the public. The Bend City Council’s proclamation of Preservation Month will be presented (as well as at the regular City Council session on May 2nd). City Hall is located at 710 NW Wall Street.

MAY 15th, 7:30pm - “Historic Fire Lookouts of Central Oregon”, featuring Penni Borghi, at Archaeological Society of Central Oregon (ASCO)

The ASCO May meeting and presentation will feature Penni Borghi, Archaeologist with the Deschutes National Forest, with an overview of the historic of fire lookouts in Central Oregon. ASCO’s regular business meeting begins at 7:00 PM, and the speaker is scheduled for 7:30 PM, at the COAR building,

2112 NE 4th St., Bend. The event is free to the public, but donations are gladly accepted.

MAY 16th, 6pm to 7pm - Know Heritage: “Queens of the Roleo”, Downtown Bend

Deschutes Public Library

Screen the documentary and meet the director of this unique film! Documentary film maker Dave Jones discusses how and why he decided to document the story of four girls from a small Idaho town who earned 11 log rolling World Championships in 14 years and why it's important to preserved the lost chapters of our heritage.

MAY 17th, 5:30pm to 7pm - History Wander at Indian Ford Meadow Preserve, guided by Kelly Madden, Deschutes Land Trust

Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Kelly Madden for a short stroll to learn about one of our flagship Preserves - Indian Ford Meadow. Explore the human history of the meadow including both Native American and pioneer use. Then, learn about the history of the mountains that surround the meadow while you stroll along a gravel path throughout pine forest and sage meadow. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event. Please register online at www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes

Rating: Easy, ~1 mile walk, partially accessible.

What to bring: Snacks, water, sturdy walking shoes. Dress for the weather.

MAY 17th, 6pm to 7pm - “Pioneer Settlers of the Fort Rock Valley” Panel Discussion,

High Desert Museum

Join photographer Rich Bergeman and a panel of descendants of pioneer settlers for a discussion of the history of the lost communities of the Fort Rock Valley facilitated by Andries Fourie, the High Desert Museum’s Curator of Art and Community Engagement. The panel discussion is part of the programming for the exhibition High Desert Dreams: The Lost Homesteads of the Fort Rock Basin, which features photographs by Rich Bergeman. Museum Members $3, non-members $5

MAY 17th, 6:30pm - “Wandering the High Desert with Stories and Poems” Cowboy Poetry, presented by Rick Steber, Bowman Museum

Join us at the Bowman Museum in Downtown Prineville forNorthwest history writer, speaker and educator, Rick Steber, for an entertaining evening of stories and poetry about the High Desert. Admission is Free. Bowman Museum is located at 246 N Main Street, in Prineville.

MAY 18th, 12pm to 1pm - Know Heritage: “Savages in My Family Tree”, Sunriver Library

Every family's history has hidden stories of characters and their capers, but not everyone goes out of their way to learn about their escapades. Join Clinton K. Clark on his journey to meet and discover the stories of his roughneck relatives who helped settle Oregon with all around Wild West pizzazz.

May 19th, 10am to 3pm - Nels & Lilian Andersen Homestead Days

Instant Landscaping Company invites you to visit and learn about the Nels and Lilian Andersen

Homestead. They will share the story of a wonderful Bend pioneer couple and their family homestead and dairy. Instant Landscaping will dedicate a new interpretive sign for the Homestead and Dairy Farmhouse.

The staff is proud to be part of a Bend Landmark property and look forward to showing the unique Tudor farmhouse and homestead to visitors. Instant Landscaping is located at 63160 Nels Anderson Road, accessed from Robal Road (off of Highway 97).

MAY 22nd, 6pm to 7pm - Redmond Know Heritage: Redmond City Hall, presented by

Scott Woodford, Redmond Public Library

Join Scott Woodford, Senior Planner for the city of Redmond, for a look back and a look forward on Redmond. Listen to a discussion put on by City of Redmond officials on the story of how the 1922 high school became a new city hall for the community, including how the City ultimately decided to remodel the historic building, the design process, and details on how construction occurred, including several surprises during the process, followed by a tour of the building. Scott Woodford is Senior Planner for the City of Redmond and staff liaison to the City's Historic Landmarks Commission.

MAY 23rd, 4pm to 7pm - Santiam Wagon Road Walk at Whychus Canyon Preserve, guided by Kelly Madden, Deschutes Land Trust

Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Kelly Madden to explore the 150-year old Santiam Wagon Road at Whychus Canyon Preserve. Hike back in time and imagine traveling west in a wagon train to transport wool from Eastern Oregon to the Willamette Valley, or east to graze livestock on the grasses of the desert. Explore the site of an early homestead, and the signs and symbols still visible along the trail today that help tell the story of travel and commerce in the high desert. Registration is required and opens 1month prior to the event. Please register online at www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes

Hike Rating: Moderate, ~3 mile hike on old roads through juniper forest.

What to bring: Snacks, water, sturdy hiking shoes. Dress for the weather.

May 24th, 6:30pm - “Of Plants, Rocks and Peoples: a Geobotanical Tour of Central Oregon” presented by Stu Garrett, Bowman Museum, Prineville

Join us at the Bowman Museum in Downtown Prineville for a great presentation of geobotanical features of Central Oregon, by Stu Garrett, Botany, Agriculture Plant Science Researcher with COCC. Admission is Free. Bowman Museum is located at 246 N Main Street, in Prineville.

MAY 24th, 4:30pm to 6pm - Redmond Historic Landmarks Commission meeting, Redmond City Hall

The Redmond Landmarks Commission May agenda may include an update on the Commission’s Oregon State Historic Preservation grant applications. City Hall tours will also be offered. Meetings are held at City Hall, at 411 SW 9th Street.

MAY 25th, 4pm to 7pm - “Cowboys and Settlers in Sisters”, Sisters HomeLand Realty

As part of the Fourth Friday Art Stroll in Sisters, come view the artwork of cowboy artist Len Babb and meet the artist. The art will be on display in the 1908 home of Sisters early settler, stockman, blacksmith, and businessman Hardy Allen. Current owner of the house, Ali Mayea of Sisters HomeLand Realty, will provide refreshments and give guided tours of the house. Get a glimpse of early day Sisters, learn about the new Three Sisters Historical Society that will be offering for sale historic photos of Sisters, and view Babb’s work that reflects the life of the working cowboy, so much a part of the history of Central Oregon.

The historic Hardy Allen House is located at 401 East Main Avenue. Free of charge.

MAY 25th-28th - Ponderosa Mountain Men Little Deschutes Spring Rendezvous, La Pine

Each Memorial Day weekend, the Ponderosa Mountain Men organization promotes and encourages the historical interest and safe use of black powder firearms, with a recreation of historical accurate dress, lifestyle and events. Dry camping is available, and events are numerous, including shooting events, trading, a cook-off and potlucks. Contact Andy Anderson at 541-808-5392 for additional information, or visit www.ponderosamountainmen.org. Registration is required. The weekend event takes place south of

La Pine, 4 miles off of Highway 97, heading west on Highway 58.

MAY 26th, 12pm to 4pm - Tetherow Crossing Pioneer Day, Redmond

All ages are invited to join Redmond Park & Recreation District and Deschutes Public Library for a special event at the historic Tetherow Homestead (5810 NW Tetherow Road). Learn about the history of the homestead and river crossing, and our plans for the coming restoration. We’ll have Pioneer Era games, a general store with penny candy, and mountain man skills for kiddos, as well as site tours, Central Oregon oral histories, and an intro to genealogy research.

MAY 29th, 7pm (doors open at 5:30pm) - History Pub - “Camp Abbot: Training for War on the High Desert”, presented by Tor Hanson, McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School, Father Luke Room

Today Sunriver is an idyllic community in Central Oregon, but during World War II, it was the site of Camp Abbot, the western-most engineer replacement training center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Under the leadership of Col. Frank Besson, the U.S. Army trained 90,000 men at the camp, from 1943 through 1944. There, amongst pine trees and sagebrush, soldiers endured sub-freezing winters and hundred-degree summers. Local historian Tor Hanson has lived in Bend, Oregon for more than 25 years. He is a board member of the Deschutes County Historical Society and editor of its monthly newsletter, The Homesteader.

Event is free but reservations are requested and available by visiting www.deschuteshistory.org. McMenamin’s is located at 700 NW Bond Street in Bend.

MAY 30th, 10am to 1pm - Santiam Wagon Road Walk at Whychus Canyon Preserve, guided by Kelly Madden, Deschutes Land Trust

Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Kelly Madden to explore the 150-year old Santiam Wagon Road at Whychus Canyon Preserve. Hike back in time and imagine traveling west in a wagon train to transport wool from Eastern Oregon to the Willamette Valley, or east to graze livestock on the grasses of the desert. Explore the site of an early homestead and the signs and symbols still visible along the trail today, that help tell the story of travel and commerce in the high desert. Registration is required and opens 1month prior to the event. Please register online at www.deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes

Hike Rating: Moderate, ~3 mile hike on old roads and through juniper forest.

What to bring: Snacks/Lunch, water, sturdy hiking shoes. Dress for the weather.

MONTH-LONG ACTIVITIES

MAY 15th to 31st - Preservation Success in Central Oregon, La Pine Library

Through informative graphic displays, learn about local historic projects in Central Oregon that have been preserved, restored or rehabilitated. Historic structures and properties include the Penney Galleria in Bend; Redmond City Hall (Redmond Union High School and Evergreen School); Deedon Homestead in La Pine; Liberty Theater in Bend; Paulina Lake IOOF Cabins; Sisters Belfry; Bend Amateur Athletic Club; French House in Bend; Redmond Freight Depot; Trinity Episcopal Church in Bend; and Mirror Pond in Bend. La Pine Library is located at 16425 First Street.

Guided Tour of Historic Downtown Bend - Fridays & Saturdays in May, 10am, Bend Visitor Center

Join a Bend expert from Visit Bend for a free one-hour guided tour of the historic downtown core. Learn a bit of the past as well as the ins-and-outs and hotspots of present-day Bend and Central Oregon. Dates include 5/4, 5/5, 5/11, 5/12, 5/18, 5/19, 5/25 and 5/26. ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Please call 541-382-8048 for details, recommended for children 10 and older. Meet at 750 NW Lava Road.