Willamette Heritage Center

Photo of the Day: Blue Lake Canneries presents United Fund Campaign with a check, 1955

Mid-Willamette Valley communities and workers have a history of generosity. Newspapers tell us that Blue Lake Canneries in West Salem became the first Salem business in 1955 to surpass its giving goal during the United Fund Campaign. Departments had an average 95-100% giving rate, and 2,250 dollars were raised for charity. (According to one online inflation calculator, that is the equivalent of over $26,000 in today’s money!)

That’s something to celebrate on this International Day of Charity. Especially impressive because the business decided to get a jump on the general campaign, wanting to catch cannery workers at the height of the canning season, before the October deadline.

McEwan Studio Photo, 1955. WHC 2006.002.1403.002

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

❤️ Connecting Generations at History in Rubble ❤️

At our member preview, a photo of the old "Hollywood District" sparked a beautiful conversation between a grandmother, her daughter, & granddaughter. Memories of cruising in a classic Ford Coupe led to stories about life in Salem decades ago and laughter with other visitors.

The History in Rubble exhibit is more than just a showcase of lost architecture; it's a catalyst for connection—connecting generations through the stories of our past.

You can see the exhibit through Saturday, Dec 21, 2024. It is included with admission and free for WHC members.

We hope you enjoy some rest from your labors this Labor Day and an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate all those who have labored before us.

Photo: Workers at the Burton Brothers Brick Yard across from the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem taking a break from their labors.

Photograph given in memory of Alvin A and Mary S. Burton. Willamette Heritage Center Collections 2009.081.0001 (detail)

Back to School TBT

In 1987, Richmond School celebrated its 75th Anniversary. The organizing committee sent interview questionnaires to former students and staff as part of the celebration. Those interviews are now part of the Willamette Heritage Center’s collections. Learn more about the collection, see if someone you know was interviewed, and read the 75th Anniversary booklet on our site: https://www.willametteheritage.org/richmond-school-alumni-interviews/

Photo source:
Interview Questionnaire from Dorothy L. Brooks, WHC Collections 2004.005.0003.
Richmond School. WHC Collections 2007.001.1662

Salem-Keizer Public Schools

We are realizing a new vision for Magic at the Mill. A focus on the celebration of our community's diverse spirit!

Your community group's participation will enhance the feeling of inclusivity and brighten the festive ambiance.

This free invitation offers several opportunities for your group, including:

1. Free publicity - get your name in front of thousands of people through social media, WHC website and publications, and on-site promotions

2. Community engagement and representation

3. Free friends and family tickets to Magic at the Mill

4. A chance to make history at our timeless event

5. Showcase your organization's commitment to community involvement.

If you are interested in joining the fun or want more information visit: bit.ly/project-illuminate

Discover the diverse voices that shaped the Willamette Valley at the Willamette Heritage Center.

Meet Amanda Gardner Johnson, a remarkable woman who chose resilience in the face of adversity. Enslaved at birth, Amanda's journey to Oregon and freedom was filled with nearly impossible choices. Her perseverance serves as an inspiration.

Take a self-guided tour to learn more about Amanda, and other families who built their lives in the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Millworker Spotlight: Edward D. Antrican (1910-1985)

Edward Antrican grew up in the Eola area. His father worked at a local hop ranch. After working at the same ranch as his father and some time helping to construct the Salem-Dallas Highway, he married Esther Olson. The young couple settled in the Salem area with their young son during the Great Depression. A friend helped Edward find work at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill in the Spinning Department, where he worked until the war broke out in 1941. Read more about Edward’s life at willametteheritage.org/edward-d-antrican/

Not all of our ancestors left detailed diaries of their life stories, and many are left out of the history textbooks we read in school. Understanding their lives takes a lot of digging and sifting through the records left behind.

If you’ve ever wondered how we research the thin documentation trails of Thomas Kay Woolen Mill workers, join us on Saturday, August 24th, for a Master Class in mill worker research. Sign up by midnight on August 23rd or register in person before 10:15 am in the WHC Orientation Center. willametteheritage.org/calendar/master-class-millworker/

Last chance to sign up is Friday Aug 23 by midnight!

Don't miss the opportunity to learn from our outstanding research staff.

You'll learn through real-life case studies, we'll unravel the captivating tales of mill workers, all while showcasing the one-of-a-kind collections and expertise available at the WHC Library and Archives.

You'll leave with new strategies and a deeper understanding of how to trace your family history through our local archives or apply the techniques to other research projects.

TBT: Photo of the Day

Interior of St. Mary’s Church in Mount Angel.
Postcard printed by the Patton Brothers Postcard Company in Salem.

WHC Collections 2007.003.0011.

🎉 We're thrilled that the Salem Reporter captured the appeal of our new exhibit, History in Rubble, so beautifully! Check out their article for a sneak peek, then see it yourself!

City of Salem Keizer History

Salem’s lost historic buildings star in new Willamette Heritage Center exhibit - Salem Reporter “History in Rubble” opens Friday at Willamette Heritage Center and highlights dozens of Salem's lost historic buildings built between the 1850s and 1940s.

Don't miss your chance to join our Candy Crew!

CJ Hansen Co., Inc. always has a blast as a Candy Crew member!

Join the Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat fun (Oct 27th) and showcase your business's spooky spirit. Connect with families and spread some Halloween cheer!

Sign up now before it's too late!
bit.ly/WHCCandy

TBT: History in the Details

We recently worked on cataloging this photo postcard and found all kinds of interesting details and errors in the process. The postcard came to us with an inscription reading "East School Salem, Oregon." We looked at a lot of pictures of East School and couldn't find a single way to make the architecture of this building fit any iterations of the school. It does, however, look almost exactly like the current Oregon State Supreme Court building. Note the construction scaffolding around the building. If you look really closely, you can also see posters advertising a "Buffalo Ranch" show on Tuesday, August 8. Well, it turns out we were able to find a newspaper article for that show, put on by Kit Carson, which came to Salem on Tuesday, August 8, 1912. This was the clue to helping unravel the mystery! Construction of the Supreme Court building started in 1912 (we also had to take a little time to update the Wikipedia article after it claimed construction started in 1913, but we found several newspaper articles showing construction work in 1912 -- see: "Riveter Hard at Work." Oregon Statesman. 11 September 1912, page 5 AND "Award Contract on Temple of Justice." Oregon Daily Journal. 06 Aug 1912), so the poster helps confirm the date AND the building identification! History is in the details! One postcard down – thousands more to go!

Postcard of the now correctly identified Oregon State Supreme Court Building. WHC Collections 2022.044.0273

Going to Englewood Forest Festival ?

Enjoy the Northeast Salem community, artists, musicians, and environmental groups in Englwood's beautiful, mostly shady, park. While you're there, stop by our booth for some FREE family-friendly activities and learn more about us!

Englewood Forest Festival is a free, one-day, volunteer-run event!
Check it out on Saturday, August 10, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Englewood Park is about one mile west of I-5 exit 256 at Market St. The park is adjacent to Englewood Elementary, between D St. and Market Street NE.

Englewood Elementary Photo: WHC Collection 0081.007.0003.002

We are excited and thankful to be a Salem Foundation grant recipient! This grant will support year-round visits from youth groups, school field trips, adults, and school educators, enriching our community through education and cultural experiences.

The NEW exhibit, History in Rubble, opens Friday, August 9, 2024!

Are you a WHC Member? If so, you can see this exhibit before anyone else at the opening reception next week Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Give us a ❤ or 👍 if you plan to see this exhibit!

AND stay tuned as we'll share some behind-the-scenes work on this exhibit soon!

Then and Now at what is now part of 189 Liberty Street NE, but was historically 177 Liberty St NE – west side of the street just south of Court Street.

Then Photo: WHC Collections X2024.003.0013
Now Photo: Google Maps, captured June 2023

Noble Wave - Look familiar? 😊

Looking for something fun to do? We think you'll enjoy this one!

The Yamhill County Historical Society invites all ages to join in on the fun and enjoy the classic amusement of Harvest Fest. Harvest Fest, a two-day event held at the Yamhill County Historical Society, is a celebration of old-fashioned fun for all ages. The event features vintage equipment used to harvest crops and old-time farming practices, as well as displays, demonstrations, food, music, and family activities. Admission is $8 for adults, and free for children under 12.

Last week, we hosted a transfer party for a set of bound volumes of the back issues of the Salem Weekly/Salem Monthly, published in Salem from 2004 to 2018. We appreciate all the work that went into tracking down issues and binding them for preservation.

Ready to dive into these papers? Setting up your research appointment is just a click away: https://www.willametteheritage.org/research/

Ella attended public school in Salem until eighth grade. In 1915, she worked for a glove factory in Salem and then found work in the weaving department at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill.

The Lehman family turned working at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill into a family affair, with Ella, her father August, uncle Ernest, sister Dora, and brothers Carl and Fred all contributing to the mill's operations.

Read more about Ella's story: willametteheritage.org/ella-lehman/

Photo source: Willamette Heritage Center Collections M3-2007-010-0014, cropped.

Looking for a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate your team's hard work this year? 🎉 Imagine hosting your end-of-year party in a historic woolen mill!

The Willamette Heritage Center offers charming spaces perfect for company gatherings, from intimate dinners to lavish celebrations.

Let's create a memorable experience for your team. Contact us today to start planning your end-of-year event! bit.ly/WHCVenueContact

It's time to start thinking about joining our Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat Candy Crew!!

Will you join us?

Fill out the interest form: bit.ly/WHCCandy