By Carrie Richter, chair

For nearly 45 years Restore Oregon has been committed to protecting the homes, buildings, and places that speak to communities, religious, social, business, and cultural groups throughout the state.   

With no corner of Oregon immune from the recent economic ravages resulting from the pandemic shutdown and the physical displacement caused by wildfires, there is a great deal of talk about how we build back – better, stronger and more resilient.  

Restore Oregon’s Policy & Advocacy Committee (PAC) seeks individuals committed to ensuring that heritage places are acknowledged for their substantial economic and social contributions.  Preservation drives the rebirth of rural Main Streets, employs highly skilled artisans and contractors, passes forward our diverse cultural heritage, shelters low and no income individuals in affordable housing, and measurably responds to the climate crises through adaptive reuse.  

In addition to offering a direct and meaningful response to the most critical challenges facing Oregon today, historic preservation resonates.  Every person from every socio-economic station, ethnicity or community knows of a community center, a corner store, a barn, theater, or park that speaks to them because of their association with it.   Grass-roots organizing around these places can unify people, bridging differences and overcoming the past year of isolation. 

In the past, historic preservation often focused on the legacy of the well-to-do European Americans.  But the Oregon Story is so much more than that.  For every John McLaughlin House or Jackson County Courthouse, there is an equally important Billy Webb Elks Lodge or Kam Wah Chung that embodies the dreams, hardships, flaws, nobility, persecutions, and accomplishments of the diverse cultures who have shaped this place. 

All are essential to telling a complete and equitable Oregon Story and to building back after these most trying of times.

If you’re passionate about preservation and want to help Oregonians protect and revive the places that matter most to them, consider joining our statewide network of advocates as a member of the Policy & Advocacy Committee.  PAC members help develop and support Restore Oregon’s legislative agenda and are willing to: 

  • Reach out to, call or email local leaders and state legislators.
  • Deliver testimony (written or oral) supporting or opposing policies related to preservation objectives.
  • Alert RO to local preservation issues that warrant our attention.
  • Identify potential endangered places, and share successful local preservation stories.
  • Share RO news on social media
  • Attend monthly PAC meetings via Zoom. 

The last twenty years has made it clear that a complete and equitable set of Oregon stories requires the dedication of committed government officials and individuals taking action.  We urge you to join us in creating a re-energized and strengthened Oregon Story through historic preservation.

Should you have any questions or want to volunteer for the Policy & Advocacy Committee, please reach out to info@RestoreOregon.org.