Preservation Month Fair at the State Capitol in Salem

(Salem, Oregon) - May is National Historic Preservation Month and for Oregon communities throughout the state it's an opportunity to reflect on significant historic sites and buildings 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 May 12th, Heritage Programs, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, will host a 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.

Eighteen 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 Willamette Heritage Center, Salem Landmarks Commission, Historic Deepwood Estate, Oregon State Hospital Museum, Oregon Military Museum, Oregon State Parks, Oregon Cultural Trust, The Historic Preservation League of Oregon, the National Trust, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon State Capitol Foundation, Oregon State Archives, Oregon State Library, Oregon Historic Trails Advisory Council, Oregon Historic Cemetery program, and the National Register of Historic Places program. New this year, the students of Clatsop Community College will demonstrate traditional building techniques during the event, and the McKenzie "A's" Model A club will be displaying 65 restored Ford, Model "A" cars at the Capitol along Court Street.

As part of the event, the Oregon State Capitol will offer a free 30-minute tour of the building at 11:00 a.m., including a 121 step climb to see the "Oregon Pioneer," which stands atop the building, and the spectacular view of the city and the surrounding area. Following the climb, personnel from State Capitol State Park will guide visitors through the history of the grounds at 12:00 p.m.

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. The tour of the grounds will begin across the street at the Historic Preservation Fair.