Historic Preservation and Restoration Program Creates Futures While Preserving the Past

Astoria, OR- One is restoring historic wood windows in Portland. Another is working for an Architectural Conservation company in Philadelphia. One is working for FEMA in New York, and yet another has started a restoration company in Astoria, OR. What do they all have in common? They are graduates of the Clatsop Community College Historic […]

Horsing Around with Van Evera Bailey Fellow Harley Cowan

During the height of the mid-August heat-wave, Restore Oregon kept things cool by inviting Portland-based photographer and licensed architect Harley Cowan to join us for five days of photographing the historic Jantzen Beach Carousel. Restore Oregon’s Jantzen Beach Carousel Project Manager, Stephanie Brown, sat down with Harley to discuss his work on this and other […]

From Grassroots to Official Status: The Oak Lodge History Detectives are Designated a 501(c)(3)

After eleven years of operating informally as the local history group for the Oak Grove, Oatfield Ridge and Jennings Lodge communities south of Milwaukie, Oregon, the Oak Lodge History Detectives (OLHD) have gained tax-exempt status with the IRS. Starting out in 2009 as a grass roots group of history-minded citizens, the group gradually gained recognition […]

DeMuro Award Preservation Spotlight: The Sutor – Wood House (1938), Portland

The owners of this acclaimed example of Northwest Modern architecture and landscape design set out to restore its glory. The first commissioned residence by renowned architect Pietro Belluschi was gently restored and updated by his son, architect Anthony Belluschi, while love and elbow grease (under the guidance of Takashi Fukuda) brought back the original landscape […]

DeMuro Award Preservation Spotlight: Redfox Commons (1944), Portland

This adaptive reuse project transforms two former industrial structures into a light-filled campus for creative office tenants. The project inspires fresh thinking about how development can leverage underutilized structures and materials – and add value to cities by building something stunning from the places that embody our industrial heritage. Photo credit: Lara Swimmer Congratulations to the […]

DeMuro Award Preservation Spotlight: KEX / Vivian Apartments (1912), Portland

Despite intense development pressure to demolish and replace what was a run-down streetcar era apartment building, this development team believed its historic character had great value to the community. Repurposed as a hostel hotel, the Icelandic gastropub hosts casual dining and musical acts. Congratulations to the entire project team that made this project possible: Green […]

DeMuro Award Preservation Spotlight: Fried-Durkheimer House (1st Morris Marks House) (1880), Portland

This rare example of an Italianate Townhouse would have met the wrecking ball had not a devoted team of preservationists moved heaven and earth (literally) to save it. It took an act of City Council, numerous agencies, and a team of talented craftspeople to move and restore this gem top-to-bottom on its proud new site. Photo […]