History and Heritage Fair Today, Article in Sunday Paper

How do we use history?  "Heritage" seems to be the word du jour, and there are two opportunities this week to see it in action!  There's a fair today and an article on Sunday to look forward to.

On February 3rd, 1890, the first Center Street Bridge washed out and collapsed in the big flood.

Ruins and Aftermath:  Center Street Bridge Collapsed
in Flood on February 3rd, 1890
Photo, Salem Public Library

The paper on February 5th was full of news about it.

"What shall we do?" about the bridge -  Front Page, 5 February 1890

One article surveyed 18 "leading citizens" and asked "What shall we do?" Asahel Bush said:

Hon. A. Bush: there are various objections to a free ferry. I think that if Mr. Holman or some one will put in a good ferry and charge a minimum toll that...would be the most proper thing to do. If private parties do not put in a ferry then I would favor a joint stock company doing so. I want to see the bridge rebuilt, but when it is I want a good one, one that will be a credit to the county. I do not think it well to be too hasty in the matter. We might build a combination wagon and railroad bridge together, if a railroad bridge is wanted across the river.

It is interesting how this answer, and the others collected with it, anticipate and relate to the debate we are currently having about bridge replacements and new bridges.

Looks like the Sunday paper will have an article about this or a very close topic!  A Statesman editor yesterday tweeted:

SJ's heritage column on Sun. s/b interesting in light of bridge crossing debate and the Wash. bridge collapse. #SalemOR #historyrepeats
— S. Bodman (@Sciwhat) May 29, 2013

While you might quibble about the hashtag, history most definitely rhymes.  What about "heritage"? Does it rhyme or repeat?  Whatever the case, the piece will make for interesting reading.


In the meantime, if you're downtown tomorrow today! on the lunch hour, there's a heritage fair on the Capitol Mall. Vintage cars will represent for the transportation minded and in an unintentional twist on the open-carry advocates from earlier this year, a light tank will represent for the Second Amendment.

Preservation Month Fair at the State Capitol

May is National Historic Preservation Month and for Oregon communities throughout the state it’s an opportunity to reflect on significant places, artifacts, and collections that help tell the stories of our past as well as to recognize contributions that individuals and organizations have made to local preservation projects.

On Thursday, May 30th, Heritage Programs, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, will host the 5th Annual Preservation Month Fair at the State Capitol State Park in Salem. Community organizations from around the area and several state agencies will provide information about their efforts to help preserve Oregon’s history.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the grounds of the State Capitol on the north side of Court Street, opposite the Capitol building.

Nineteen participating organizations will highlight the history of their institutions and their local and statewide work to preserve important sites related to Oregon’s historic events, persons, and places.

Participating exhibitors include the Salem Landmarks Commission, Historic Deepwood Estate, Bush House Museum, Oregon State Hospital Museum, Oregon Military Museum and Oregon Military Museum Foundation, Oregon Historical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Oregon State Parks with friends groups from Silver Falls and Champoeg State Parks, Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon State Capitol Foundation, Oregon State Archives, Oregon State Library, Oregon Historic Trails Advisory Council, and Oregon Historic Cemetery and National Register of Historic Places programs. The McKenzie A’s will display 30 restored vintage Ford Model A Cars and Steve Greenberg of Wilsonville will showcase his World War II M3A1 Stuart Light Tank.

As part of the event, the Oregon State Capitol will offer a free 30-minute tour of the building at 12:00 and 12:30, including a 121 step climb to see the “Oregon Pioneer,” which stands atop the building, and t offering a spectacular view of the city and the surrounding area. Those interested in participating in the Capitol building tour should meet 10 minutes early at the information kiosk on the 1st floor in the Capitol.