On a grassy, rural hillside three blocks north of Main Street in the Eastern Oregon town of Moro, sits the Sherman County Courthouse. Built in the Queen Anne Style in 1899, this charming National Register-listed building is one of only three Oregon courthouses which can claim continuous use since construction. (The other two can be […]
Rural Historic Theaters Receive Unprecedented $615,000 in Grant Funds for Preservation
As part of our Oregon’s Most Endangered Places program, Restore Oregon combined forces with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to bring an unprecedented grant opportunity to rural historic theaters in Oregon! Last year, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), which includes the Oregon Main Street Network and the State Historic Preservation Office, received […]
Listening. Learning. Taking Action.
When people hear the words “historic preservation” they often think of places. But it’s really the stories of the people and communities associated with historic places that make them worth saving. Unfortunately, the preservation field has long struggled with painting a full and inclusive picture of our shared past. Restore Oregon acknowledges the legitimate pain […]
A New Marquee, Drive-In Open for Business, and a Chance Meeting Reveals Historic Plans
The economic impacts of COVID-19 in Oregon are being felt across the state and we’re only just beginning to understand how far and wide the effects will reach. While we unite to help each other through these troubling times it’s important to remember the positive things that are happening around us. Though theaters were forced […]
Preservation Profile: DeMuro Award-Winning Sherman County Courthouse (1899)
Sherman County Courthouse (1899) | Moro, Oregon On a grassy, rural hillside three blocks north of Main Street in the Eastern Oregon town of Moro, sits the Sherman County Courthouse. Built in the Queen Anne Style in 1899, this charming National Register-listed building is one of only three Oregon courthouses which can claim continuous use since […]
Preservation Profile: DeMuro Award Winning Fairmount Apartments
The National Register-listed Fairmount Apartments, originally known as the Hotel Fairmount, were constructed in 1905, directly across the street from the main gate of the Lewis and Clark Exposition. Meant to supply lodging for fairgoers visiting Portland from around the globe, this building is one of the only Exposition structures still standing. And like most […]
It’s that time of year again—time for Restore Oregon’s Pets ’n Preservation Photo Contest!
Highly regarded—in our opinion—as one of Oregon’s premier pet photo contests, the Restore Oregon Pets ’n Preservation photo contest raises awareness of our most loved places around the state. For the last two years, animals from all across the state have entered our contest in hopes of winning the coveted cover of the Pets ’n […]
Restore Oregon’s 2020 Pets ‘n Preservation Calendar
To create our first ever calendar, we asked preservationists from around the state to submit photos of their furry besties in old Oregon places. With submissions flooding in featuring different resource types from different time perious, we awarded a cash prize to our cover pup: Simba at the John Mock House, North Portland (1894). Gift […]
State Legislation Aimed at Offsetting Seismic Retrofit Costs
With mandatory upgrades proposed, will it be enough to avoid demolition of historic buildings on a massive scale? Seismic retrofitting for Unreinforced Masonry Buildings (URMs) is mandated in earthquake-prone cities from San Francisco to Tokyo. In Oregon, it is not – but that may soon change. With the dire predictions of the Cascadia quake […]
Living in a Portland Historic District: FAQ
Restore Oregon has released an updated frequently asked questions (FAQ) handout to address recent statewide rules changes affecting the state’s historic places. This informational overview focuses on new National Register Historic Districts in Portland which are designated after January 2017. It highlights several questions including the following: Can properties in new historic districts be demolished? […]