Please Welcome our New Director of Development, Keith Lohse! Pictured above: Keith & family at the Albany Civic Theater Keith comes to us from the Lane County History Museum, where he served as Executive Director. He has spent the last decade working in museums, including a nearly eight-year tenure as the director of the Albany […]
Major Preservation Milestone for Billy Webb Elks Lodge
Major Preservation Milestone for Billy Webb Elks Lodge, One of Oregon’s Most Endangered Places In July 2025, the Billy Webb Elks Lodge completed the critical structural repairs to the iconic place cherished for its significance to Portland’s African American history and experience, and anchors the Albina neighborhood. The 99-year-old building suffered a devastating fire in […]
Restore Oregon’s Advocacy in Action: Update on Oregon Legislation
Above Image Credit: Rep Gomberg (and many others) provided this overview graphic in their constituent newsletter. Recap of the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session from Restore Oregon Being a statewide education and advocacy nonprofit means that Restore Oregon’s work takes many sizes and forms to be the “voice” for historic preservation. We had a particularly positive […]
“The Arc of Yeon” Architect Spotlight event!
The rain did not dampen the enthusiasm at the sold-out “The Arc of Yeon” Architect Spotlight event! On Saturday, June 21st, Restore Oregon hosted 100 guests at two special homes designed by John Yeon. Guests explored and immersed themselves in the Watzek and Cottrell Houses while being inspired by the creativity and innovation of John […]
Leadership Transition at Oregon’s State Office of Historic Preservation
Leadership Transition at Oregon’s State Office of Historic Preservation Pictured Above: Chrissy Curran Pictured Above: Chrissy Curran’s 25 years by the numbers; Graphic Credit OregonHeritage. Chrissy Curran, Oregon’s deputy state historic preservation officer (SHPO), retired at the end of June after 25 years of service. And, Ian Johnson has been appointed to the […]
Community Update from the University of Oregon’s Historic Preservation Program
Above: The comfort station at Deception Pass State Park in Washington was the location selected for the 2024 field school. Photo by Larissa Rudnicki The Pacific Northwest Preservation Field School by Allison Geary and Larissa Rudnicki Big things are happening with the University of Oregon’s Historic Preservation Program (UO HP). For starters, the program has […]
Campaign to Save Historic High School Building in Banks, OR
Photo Above: Historic Banks Union High School 2025; Courtesy of Banks Historical Society. Banks Historical Society Launches Campaign to Save Historic High School Building The Banks Historical Society announced the launch of the Save the Historic Banks Union High School campaign. The aim is to preserve the 105-year-old building – the only remaining original historic […]
Announcing HB 3190 Now Signed by Governor
Pictured Above: Hotel Grand Stark, Portland OR, photo by Palisociety WE Did it! HB 3190 Now Signed into Law – Brings back Special Assessment for Historic Properties Program to Oregon Because of our collective efforts and voluminous public testimony, the first arts and culture bill of the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session was signed into law […]
Oregon Caves Chateau’s Announcement in Salem as One of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Pictured Above from L to R: Colin Deverell, National Parks Conservation Association, Nicole Possert, Restore Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek, Sue Densmore, Friends of the Oregon Caves & Chateau, Pam Bowman, National Trust for Historic Preservation. Photo Courtesy of the Office of Governor Kotek. Oregon Caves Chateau – One of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
UO’s Historic Preservation Graduate Program Hires New Director
UO’s Historic Preservation Graduate Program Hires New Director, Returns to Eugene Amalia Leifeste has been appointed to serve as the next Director of Historic Preservation at the University of Oregon, a graduate program that is part of the School of Architecture and Environment from the College of Design. The university moved the program back to […]