Pictured Above: Executive Director Nicole Possert, with Carol Quillen, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Shaw Sprague, Vice President for Government Relations at the National Trust at 2024 Advocacy Week in Washington, DC. Presidential Executive Orders Impacting Historic Preservation Restore Oregon Plans Trip to Washington DC as Restore Oregon Prepares for 2025 […]
Oregon midcentury modern homebuilder Bob Rummer dies at 97
Sharing the sad news that Robert Rummer, 97, passed away last Friday. Our 2023 home tour highlighted a street of “Rummers” including the residence he shared with wife Phyllis for so many years. RIP Bob Pictured Above: Robert (“Bob”) Rummer Pictured Above: Bob and Phyllis Rummer Excerpt from Restore Oregon’s book: “Oregon Made: A […]
Action Alert – Please Show Support for Preservation in Oregon Legislature
Testify in Support of HB 3190 Bring Back a Preservation Financial Incentive The first public hearing for HB 3190 is tomorrow! It is now scheduled for Tuesday, January 28th at 3 pm with the House Revenue Committee. Your action can make a difference to show statewide support for historic preservation. HB 3190 was introduced on […]
Announcing the Release of Oregon’s Intangible Heritage: Supporting the Preservation of Legacy Businesses!
Restore Oregon, with support from the Oregon Cultural Trust and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, announces the release of Oregon’s Intangible Heritage: Supporting the Preservation of Legacy Businesses–a vital part of Restore Oregon’s commitment to pursuing new and diverse historic preservation programming for Oregonians statewide. The report lays the groundwork for more inclusive and […]
Advocacy in Action: Our Proactive Work at the Oregon Legislature
Restore Oregon staff and our expert volunteers on the Policy & Advocacy Committee have already reviewed close to 2,500 bills introduced in the first three weeks of the session! Based on our adopted legislative agenda, we have already submitted testimony for funding and are tracking a whole slew of bills where we believe historic preservation […]
In a Precedent-Setting Decision, Demolition of the Historic Yamaguchi Hotel is Approved with a Token Nod to Cultural Heritage
The Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve the demolition of the historic Yamaguchi Hotel, also known as the former Blanchet House, picture above. On July 28th, the Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve the demolition of the historic Yamaguchi Hotel (former Blanchet House), a rare and very significant building to the Japanese American/AAPI […]
Juneteenth Celebrations and Remembrances in Oregon
Clara Peoples, founder of Portland’s Juneteenth celebrations Juneteenth Celebrations and Remembrances in Oregon Juneteenth celebrates both the end of slavery in the United States and the contributions Black Americans have made to our country. Less than three weeks ago, the Oregon Senate unanimously voted to make Juneteenth an official state holiday, and yesterday, President Biden signed legislation declaring it […]
Renewal of Special Assessment for Historic Properties is A “No-Go” this Legislative Session
Renewal of Special Assessment for Historic Properties is A “No-Go” this Legislative Session by Peggy Moretti At the June 7th House Revenue Committee work session, the committee chair, Representative Nancy Nathanson, decided not to move HB 2447 forward. This decision ends the bill moving in this 2021 legislative session. Special Assessment – Oregon’s only state […]
In Honor of Pride Month: A Look at Oregon’s First LGBTQ Site on the National Register
In Honor of Pride Month: A Look at Oregon’s First LGBTQ Site on the National Register Oregon placed its first LGBTQ site on the National Register of Historic Places in November of 2020. Darcelle XV, a well-established Portland drag venue, has been owned and operated by nonagenarian Walter Cole since 1967. Darcelle XV Showplace is […]
Our Legislative Forecast: Murky Skies
By Carrie Richter Restore Oregon’s Policy and Advocacy Committee is weighing in on and/or monitoring a number of bills that may impact historic preservation this session. What many of these bills have in common is that they mandate one-size-fits-all zoning on communities without any understanding of the local circumstances – essentially depriving communities of the same […]