Benton County Museum is pleased to host a travelling exhibition from The National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky, during Quilt County 2013.

More information >>>

A World of Ideas - Summer 2013 Lecture Series

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Overview of the Management of our National Wildlife Refuges - the speaker will discuss the establishment and management of Ankeny, Baskett Slough, and William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuges, going into the depth of managing historical structures such as the Fiechter House, associated wildlife, habitat and public uses. He will also talk about how the Friends of the WVNWRC began and their role in supporting refuges.

Co-presented by Linn-Benton Community College, Benton Center; Corvallis/Benton County Public Library; Benton County Historical Society & Museum

All lectures are presented at the Corvallis Public Library Community Room at noon.

Our "Raining Cats & Dogs" exhibition will be open from June 21-July 27, 2013.

There will be a closing reception on Saturday July 27 from 3:30-7pm during the Philomath Uncorked wine walk.

During the event, downtown businesses will serve as "tasting rooms" where participants can sample wine from a variety of local wineries as well as hard cider and beer.

You may purchase your ID bracelet and "Philomath Uncorked" souvenir wine glass (both required for tasting) after 3 pm on July 27, 2013 at The Wine Vault or Spindrift Cellars, so please stop and buy a glass before coming to the museum if you'd like to sample a local beverage!

A World of Ideas - Summer 2013 Lecture Series

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Book Care: restoration and repair - the why, what, when, and how to care for the books in your collections. Topics include why take care of books, what signs to look for in book care, and how to keep your books in good condition.

Co-presented by Linn-Benton Community College, Benton Center; Corvallis/Benton County Public Library; Benton County Historical Society & Museum

All lectures are presented at the Corvallis Public Library Community Room at noon.

A World of Ideas - Summer 2013 Lecture Series

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Basket-making Methods and Materials - the speaker, who is a Grand Ronde tribal member, will discuss her basket making history, methods of weaving baskets, including gathering and preparation of materials. Examples are shown throughout the talk.

Co-presented by Linn-Benton Community College, Benton Center; Corvallis/Benton County Public Library; Benton County Historical Society & Museum

All lectures are presented at the Corvallis Public Library Community Room at noon.

Catered fundraising event to support the Historical Society will be held Thursday July 11, 2013 from 5:30-7:00pm. Please call 541.929.6230 for tickets.

Kids 8 & under: $5
Members: $20
Non-members: $25

A World of Ideas - Summer 2013 Lecture Series

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Bringing History to the Masses: how Flickr, Pinterest, and Instagram have changed the way we connect with fans, friends, and followers - learn how Oregon State University Archives uses social media tools to share public programming, events and historic photos from the OSU Archives collections. The speaker will compare what OSU does with other history and heritage organizations.

Co-presented by Linn-Benton Community College, Benton Center; Corvallis/Benton County Public Library; Benton County Historical Society & Museum

All lectures are presented at the Corvallis Public Library Community Room at noon.

On July 15, 2010 Benton County Historical Society Board of Trustees adopted a 2010-2013 Strategic Plan.

For your reference you may download it here.

We're pleased to announce selected entries for the 2013 Willamette Valley Scholastic Art Awards. Every 7th - 12th grade student in public, private and home schools from Benton, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties can participate!

Online enrollment opens September 17, 2012 at the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers web site >>>

Visit www.BentonCountyMuseum.org/art for details and ongoing updates>>>

Benton County Museum is offering three days of children’s activities during Spring Break 2013. All events are free, thanks to sponsorship by Citizen’s Bank.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 am to 10:00 am is time for Critter Club: free story time for 3-6 year olds in the main gallery, limited to 20 children. (Pre-registration is encouraged)

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 10:30 to 11:15 am the museum will offer free museum tours for 7-10 year olds.

Workshops will be offered for 9-12 year olds in the main gallery from 2:00-3:30pm:

• Tuesday, March 26: “Drawing by Nature” observational drawing workshop with Kaisa Laukkanen. Limited to 10 kids, ages 9-12, materials supplied. (Pre-registration is required)
• Wednesday, March 27: “Ice Age Fossils!” workshop encourages students to compare real skeletons with Pleistocene fossil counterparts from the Willamette Valley. Limited to 10 kids, ages 9-12. Instructors: Sheila Alfsen and Bill Orr. (Pre-registration is required)
• Thursday, March 28: “Birds of a Feather” workshop led by Michelle Shula of Audobon Society. Limited to 10 kids, ages 9-12. (Pre-registration is required)
  

Also on exhibition is Oregon By Nature, an exhibition of natural history specimens from the Benton County Museum collections!

BENTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY and MUSEUM

Request for Qualifications for a Capital Campaign Fundraiser

1. Background: The Benton County Historical Society (BCHS) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization serving the Benton County, Oregon area since 1951. The Society operates the Benton County Historical Museum in a National Register building in Philomath Oregon. The Society is governed by a 15-member volunteer Board of Trustees and currently operates with a seven-person staff.

The Society has successfully concluded two phases of a three-phase capital campaign, having raised $4.8 million to provide a state-of-the-art storage facility for its 120,000-object collections and to purchase land in downtown Corvallis, Oregon to build a satellite museum that will provide much-needed exhibition space in an architecturally distinctive building.

This third phase of the campaign is currently underway to raise an additional $9.36 million with the goal of concluding the new museum construction by the end of 2016.  Volunteer campaign committee members have currently solicited 25% of the funding required for the final phase of the Society's expansion project.

Additional information about the museum design plan, the mission and strategic plans of the organization are available on its website: www.bentoncountymuseum.org

2. Purpose and scope: BCHS is requesting submissions from fundraising professionals interested in organizing, coordinating and communicating with a variety of individuals and groups to solicit major one-time and multi-year gifts for the new museum project, instilling confidence in the project and exhibiting professionalism at all times. We seek a firm or individual who has demonstrated success in running multi-million dollar campaigns and who will professionally operate the campaign and bring the major gifts phase to conclusion. The purpose of this RFQ is to contract with a Capital Campaign Fundraiser who will work with the Society's Campaign Committee's ongoing efforts to identify additional key prospects for major gifts to complete the funding of at least 50% of the project's total funding requirements. The Fundraiser will develop additional key prospects and a solicitation strategy and will execute that strategy. The Fundraiser will coach and accompany volunteers at donation-solicitation meetings as needed and will carry through with reporting procedures to update committees and the Board on the progress of the campaign. The Fundraiser will also identify sources for federal, state, local and private funding for the campaign.

3.Schedule: BCHS would like to substantially conclude the major gifts phase of the campaign by April 2014. The Fundraiser will provide a suggested schedule and plan to complete the project.  Following conclusion of the major-gifts phase, and if mutually acceptable, the Fundraiser may be contracted for additional services with scope and compensation determined at that time.

4. Proposal: Respondents must furnish one original and 5 copies of their proposal. Please limit proposals to 10 pages. Estimated price and terms for services should be provided separately, listing a breakdown of scope of services following notice of selection. The following areas must be addressed in proposals: A) Experience of firm or individual; B) Experience of staff, if applicable; C) Experience in socio-economically similar communities; D) Proposed campaign strategy and schedule; E) Expectations of BCHS; F) References from at least four previous and/or current clients.

5. Selection: Proposals will be evaluated by the Capital Campaign team leaders in their sole discretion based on the following criteria: A) Demonstrated experience of those involved in fundraising; B) Understanding of the community and its economic environment and potential of additional major gifts; C) Proposed campaign strategy's fit with BCHS's values and operations.

6. Questions & Responses: Applicants must submit a written or electronic submission with qualifications and price estimates by March 1, 2013.
Email to: Irene@bentoncountymuseum.org.
Mail to: Irene Zenev, Executive Director, Benton County Historical Society, PO Box 35, Philomath, OR 97370

Online Auction Fundraiser October 12-29, 2012

Click here to browse the auction catalog, donate to the auction catalog, or bid on items!

Call Terri Thomas at 541.929.6230 (ext. 308) to learn about being a sponor of this fundraiser.

Thank you!

OSU Special Collections & Archives Research Center, The Ball Studio, and Benton County Historical Museum collaborated to create this photography exhibition celebrating The Ball Studio's 100 years of continuous operation in Corvallis, Oregon. The Ball Studio photographers have chronicled daily life in Oregon communities since 1912--it is the oldest continuously-operated family photo studio in the United States.

Please join us for an opening reception on Friday, August 31, 2012, 5-7pm.

Selected quilts by:

Marys River Quilt Guild members
Nancy Bryant
Flo Calhoun
Pam Duren
Debbie Garvin
Gloria Gilhousen
Alice Hall
Joan Helzer
Linda Jewett
MariAnne Johnson
Cheryl Jordan
Shirley Strub
Barbara McKernan
Priscilla Newberger
Phyllis Pearson
Harriet Plumley
Yvonne Thomas
Lisa Ullmer
Theresa Valentine
Pam Ward
Naomi Weidner

Enjoy a catered barbeque from Valley Catering, live music by "Bob and Friends", a special sneak preview to the new "A Few of Our Favorites" quilt exhibition while supporting Benton County Museum!

Art: The 4th 'R'

Please join us at the 2012 exhibition of Philomath School District k-12 student artwork, which is open through May 5th at the Benton County Museum in Philomath. See photos and learn more >>> 

Philomath, OR - updated March 20, 2012 - Seven Willamette Valley students have won prestigious national Awards for their outstanding artwork through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the 89 year-old national program that recognizes outstanding creative teenagers and offers scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors. Two Willamette Valley students earned Gold Medals, four earned Silver Medals and one earned an American Visions Medal! The free, public, exhibition of Gold Key art is open at Benton County Museum through March 31, 2012.

The nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, which administers the Awards, will honor national winners at a special ceremony at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 31. Select award-winning art and writing will be exhibited in Manhattan.

This year's Award recipients from the Willamette Valley region are:

Come Out of the Darkness
Drawing - Gold Key, American Visions Nominee, Best In Show 2-D,
American Visions Medal
Lisa Stitt
Grade 12
Woodburn Arts and Communications Academy
Teacher: Catherine Johnstone

Waiting for the Man
Photography - Regional Gold Key, National Gold Medal
Isabel Morgan
Grade: 8
Sweet Home Junior High School
Teacher: Trey Hagen

Vase
Ceramics & Glass - Regional Gold Key, National Gold Medal, and Oregon Potters Association Award
Bergen Sather
Grade: 10
Corvallis High School
Teacher: Christa Schmeder

Bruce
Mixed Media - Regional Gold Key, National Silver Medal
Zach Prescod
Grade: 11
Delphian School
Teacher: Russty Gill

Summer Sunset
Ceramics & Glass - Regional Gold Key, National Silver Medal, and Oregon Potters Association Award
Nathan Stucki
Grade: 12
Philomath High School
Teacher: Rachel Kirby

Behind the Veil
Drawing - Regional Gold Key, National Silver Medal
Troianne Wilkinson
Grade: 10
South Albany High School
Teacher: Lorina Johnson

Untitled
Ceramics & Glass - Gold Key, National Silver Medal
Nate Rockey
Grade: 12
Corvallis High School
Teacher: Christa Schmeder

The first level of recognition for these students' outstanding work took place through the Willamette Valley Scholastic Art Awards at Benton County Museum, one of 116 affiliate organizations nationwide that, in partnership with the Alliance, conduct The Scholastic Art Awards in Benton, Lane, Linn, Lincoln, Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. The 63 entries that earned Gold Key awards this year were invited to exhibit their art at the Benton County Museum through March 31. More information and photos are online at www.bentoncountymuseum.org/art.

These students join the ranks of some of our country's most revered artists and writers who have received Scholastic Art & Writing Awards when they were high school, including Robert Redford, Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, John Lithgow, Joyce Carol Oates, John Baldesarri, Philip Pearlstein, Zac Posen, Sylvia Plath, Richard Avedon, Robert Indiana and Abdi Farah (winner of the Bravo reality show Work of Art: The Next Great Artist).

The annual Awards competition begins locally as students in grades 7-12 submit works of art and writing to their local affiliates, which are evaluated by a panel of jurors comprised of artists, authors, educators and other arts professionals. Works are judged on originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal vision or voice and those receiving top honors are then submitted for national adjudication. Notable past and current national jurors include Robert Frost, Chuck Paluhniak, Gary Panter, Frank McCourt, Judy Blume, Billy Collins, Peggy Noonan, William Saroyan, KiKi Smith and Lesley Stahl.

Since 1923, the Awards have recognized more than 13 million students and made available over $25 million in scholarships. They continue to be the longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens and the largest source of scholarships for young artists and writers. The program is generously supported by Scholastic Inc., Maurice R. Robinson Foundation, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Command Web Offset, AMD Foundation, The New York Times, Dick Blick Co., Ovation, and New York Life Foundation.

Willamette Valley sponsors include Alison Kirby & Daniel Calzaretta, Beard's Frame Shops, Benton County Historical Society, Benton County Schools Credit Union. Blick Art Materials, Blick Art Portland, Charles & Dianne Singleton, Citizen's Bank, Corvallis Art Guild, Creative Crafts and Frame Shop, Davis Publications, Fred Meyer, Georgie's Ceramics & Clay Company, Integrated Resource Management, Jim & Elaine Kirby, Mona Lisa's Custom Framing, Office Max, Oregon Potters Assocation, Oregon State University Bookstore, Oregon State University JumpStART Summer Art Workshop, Olufson Designs , Pacific Northwest College of Art, Pegasus Frame Studio & Gallery, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Powell Construction, SELCO Community Credit Union, Starker Forests, and The Color Wheel Company.

The award ceremony for the Willamette Valley Scholastic Art Awards will be held at 2:00pm on February 18, 2012 at the Moreland Auditorium in the Benton County Museum (1101 Main Street, Philomath, OR 97370).

Click here for the 2012 selected entries.

January 15, 2012 is the deadline for online digital submissions in the 2012 Willamette Valley Scholastic Art Awards. Visit bentoncountymuseum.org/art for details. Online registration is at www.artandwriting.org.

Please join us Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30 pm on the lawn of the Benton County Historical Museum to celebrate the season with the official lighting of the Philomath Christmas tree. 

Come enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and musical performances by Philomath Elementary School, Middle School and an Adult Choir. There will be special guest appearances by Corvallis Knights mascot, Mack the Knight, Denise Nelson, the 2012 Philomath Frolic & Rodeo Queen and the arrival of Santa in an antique fire truck!  The Museum will also be open after the Tree Lighting and will feature their current exhibits, Light & Ground and aMUSEments as well as music by the Corvallis Community Band.

>>> Visit the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce web site for up-to-date details.

Please join us for an opening reception on Friday, December 2nd, from 5:00-7:00pm, to honor Oregon painters Douglas Russell, Sandra Ryan and Clint Brown.

Light & Ground is an exhibition of landscape paintings created in the field and in the studio.

Learn more >>>

Mark your calendar for the Oregon Museums Association annual conference, October 16-18, 2011, at the Benton County Historical Museum in Philomath, Oregon! The conference theme is The Sustainable Museum: People, Environment, and Economy. Details are online at oregonmuseums.org

Please join us for a reception on Friday, October 7, 2011 from 5:00-7:00pm to open a juried exhibition of acrylic paintings by Donna Beverly, "Caradon" and students of her "Dancing Paintbrushes" art classes. The exhibition will be open from October 7 - November 26, 2011 at the Benton County Historical Museum in Philomath, Oregon. Read more about the exhibition >>>

Eilene Cross is teaching a workshop to accompany the Benton County Historical Museum exhibition of New York Beauty quilts that will help you master the techniques needed to create one of these challenging quilts. Click here for details and a link to the flyer about the class.

Stay home and explore Benton County this Labor Day weekend! The third annual Bounty of Benton County is an event that features unique views, tastes, and experiences, all amazingly in our local area. Participants purchase a passport to tour the 21 "sights" which include wineries, farms, kids activities much more. Each location provides something of value for passport holders - a wine tasting, food sampling, and discounts on items, tours or experiences.

Start by coming out for our kickoff concert, Friday, Sept. 2 at the Philomath Frolic Grounds featuring locally produced silent auction items and the hometown music of Wild Hog in the Woods and the Big Outside. The concert starts at 6, dinner and wine will be available for purchase on site. Participants can tour Hull Oaks Lumber (call ahead), one of the remaining steam powered lumber mills in the county, A2R farms, one of the few farms growing flax in the valley, another that is operated by a protege of Joel Salatin's, sample wines from eight vineyards, hard cider and vodka from two distilleries. Kids can "pan for gold" at the Philomath Rock Show, interact with farm critters at the 4-H petting zoo, conduct soil and water experiments at Muddy Creek Charter School, and visit the Benton County Historical Museum where a special activity awaits them. Families are welcome to stroll the hiking paths at Tyee Cellars or picnic at Lumos Wine Co., enjoy the views of Marys Peak from Colorwheel Gardens, pick up a free bag of Carmel Corn or other treats at Honeybee Sweet Shop, make fish prints at the Alsea Hatchery, and have a great dinner at the Greenberry Tavern. Cruise and visit at your own pace while stopping at other events like the Alsea Blackberry Festival and scenic places like Finley Wildlife Refuge, Bellfountain Park, Alsea Falls, Ft. Hoskins Historical Park and more. Bikers are also welcome as many of the sites are close and make a great afternoon biking tour.

The proceeds from the sale of the passports will fund Strengthening Rural Families which is a nonprofit that that provides programs to kids and families in rural Benton County. Last year we served over 700 people through parenting classes, family and youth support programs and community events.

Passports will be on sale starting in June at Visit Corvallis, Spindrift Cellars, and the Benton County Historical Museum. They are $15 if you purchase before the event and $20 the weekend of the event. You can also purchase the passports online at www.bountyofbentoncounty.info. You can also call Andrea at 541-929-2535 or andrea.srf@ruralfamilies.org.

After World War II, the Meola family shot a series of 16mm silent movies on the Oregon coast. They drove the Roosevelt Highway (Hwy 101) from the California redwoods to Astoria, Oregon, during the summer of 1947. Benton County Historical Society is pleased to share this remarkable video footage from the Horner Museum Collection.

If you prefer to watch these on youtube, our channel is http://www.youtube.com/user/BCHMuseum.

Be sure to stop at the Benton County Museum on your way to the beach this summer! "Shots from the Past: Early Benton County Photographers" will be open through July 30th, and "Amusements" is open until December. The museum is located in Philomath, Oregon, five miles west of Corvallis, Oregon on Highway 34.

The World of Ideas lecture series

LBCC Benton Center, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, Benton County Historical Museum and John Croy of Edward Jones, present a collection of history, culture and ideas. This lecture series is free and open to the public.
Bring a friend and your lunch and enjoy!

Tuesdays, 12:10 - 1:00 pm
July 5, 12, 19, 26, 2011
Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
645 NW Monroe, Corvallis

6th Annual Barbeque Picnic fundraiser

Benton County Historical Museum celebrated the Philomath Frolic with its 6th Annual Barbeque Picnic on Thursday, July 7, 2011. "Bob & Friends" provided live music, barbeque was catered by Valley Catering, beverages from Pheasant Court Winery and a silent auction was held.

BCHM is grateful for the support from sponsors Starker Forests, Inc., Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Peak Hearing Systems, and Costco.

See photos on Facebook!

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2011 Honor the Nation's Most Talented Young Artists and Writers

Philomath, OR - March 15, 2011 - Karl Payne from Philomath, Oregon has received a prestigious national Award for his outstanding artwork through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the 88 year-old national program that recognizes outstanding creative teenagers and offers scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors.

The nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, which administers the Awards, will honor national winners at a special ceremony at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 31. Select award-winning art and writing will be exhibited at the World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery in Lower Manhattan from June 1-19. Mayor Bloomberg has declared May 31st the official Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Day and the top of the Empire State Building will be lit gold in honor of the students' achievements.

This year's Award recipient from the Willamette Valley region is:

The first level of recognition for these students' outstanding work took place through the Willamette Valley Scholastic Art Awards at Benton County Museum, one of 107 affiliate organizations nationwide that, in partnership with the Alliance, conduct The Scholastic Art Awards in Benton, Lane, Linn, Lincoln, Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. Karl Payne was one of 31 students to earn a Gold Key award this January. All 80 students who earned either a Silver or Gold Key exhibited their art at the Benton County Museum. Payne's "Steam Powered Beetle" earned "Best In Show Three Dimensional" and a scholarship award granted by Oregon State University JumpstART program. More information and photos are online at www.bentoncountymuseum.org.

These students join the ranks of some of our country's most revered artists and writers who have received Scholastic Art & Writing Awards when they were high school, including Robert Redford, Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, John Lithgow, Joyce Carol Oates, John Baldesarri, Philip Pearlstein, Zac Posen, Sylvia Plath, Richard Avedon, Robert Indiana and Abdi Farah (winner of the Bravo reality show Work of Art: The Next Great Artist).

The annual Awards competition begins locally as students in grades 7-12 submit works of art and writing to their local affiliates, which are evaluated by a panel of jurors comprised of artists, authors, educators and other arts professionals. Works are judged on originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal vision or voice and those receiving top honors are then submitted for national adjudication. Notable past and current national jurors include Robert Frost, Chuck Paluhniak, Gary Panter, Frank McCourt, Judy Blume, Billy Collins, Peggy Noonan, William Saroyan, KiKi Smith and Lesley Stahl.

Since 1923, the Awards have recognized more than 13 million students and made available over $25 million in scholarships. They continue to be the longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens and the largest source of scholarships for young artists and writers. The program is generously supported by Scholastic Inc., Maurice R. Robinson Foundation, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Command Web Offset, AMD Foundation, The New York Times, Dick Blick Co., Ovation, and New York Life Foundation.

For more information about The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, please click .

# # #

Contact: Mark Tolonen (541.929.6230 x306) or Rachel Kirby (541.929.3211 x1151)

1:00 p.m. Meet at Riverfront Park Fountain, Jackson & NW 1st St. Once a shipping point, warehouse district, and industrial area, today's Riverfront Park honors downtown Corvallis' past. Appreciate the sites that built the local economy. Linger where historic rehabilitation projects fostered dynamic retail growth along 2nd Street. Learn how downtown changed, and yet remained the same inviting place to meet friends, dine, shop and conduct business.

Led by Mary Gallagher, Benton County Historical Society & Museum

Benton County Historical Society presents a juried exhibition of hand stitched samplers, from March 11-April 30, 2011.

The museum will showcase some of its 18th and 19th century American samplers. To accompany these historic items, embroiderers, designers, and collectors are being asked to submit their creations for exhibition. These can be original historical samplers, original design contemporary samplers, reproductions of historic samplers, or samplers simply displaying a variety of stitches.

Look for submission deadlines and other details on the museum web site: www.bentoncountymuseum.org/samplers

Update 4/22/2011: There are three spots remaining if you'd like to take this workshop! Call 541.929.6230 to enroll.

Eilene Cross will be teaching a needlework workshop on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Benton County Historical Museum. She will be teaching the reproduction of the Dolly Parker sampler originally stitched in 1829. This workshop is open to everyone with an interest in learning how to stitch reproduction samplers. We will be learning the basic needlework cross stitch as well as some very pretty surface embroidery techniques. Of particular interest will be learning how to transfer embroidery patterns onto the linen fabric. We will be stitching on 32 count linen, so students may want to bring extra lighting and magnification tools. Students should bring a scroll frame (at least 21") or an embroidery hoop to class as well as basic stitching supplies including scissors, tape measure, camera, and notebook.

The kits will be available in cotton floss or silk floss. Please indicate which floss you would like to use. The cost for the Cotton Kit is $115 and the Silk Kit is $175. This is a full day class. We will be taking a 1.5 hour lunch break.

Eilene Cross is an expert needlework instructor, historian, and appraiser specializing in antique European and American samplers and quilts and in Native American weaving and quilts. She has worked since 1973 in counted cross stitch, needlepoint, quilting, knitting, crochet, weaving, rug making, beading, and macrame.

Click here to download the flyer.

Our research library will be closed from April 1-13, 2011. Please call after the 13th to make a research appointment. Thank you.

Benton Lectures are free to members of the Historical Society!
All lectures start at 10:00 am; coffee is served at 9:30 am in the Moreland Gallery at the Museum in Philomath.

If you're not a member, there is a $5.00 charge for each of the six lectures in the series. That's a total of $30--you can join the Benton County Historical Society as an individual member for $25 or a couple can join for $40. It's a great savings to join if you're planning to attend all six lectures!

Monday February 21 - Misremembering the Civil Rights Movement: The public role of historians: Marissa Chappell and Daniel Pearson

Monday February 28 - Finding photos with Flickr: OSU Archive's experiment in connecting historic images with new audiences: Tiah Edmunson-Morton

Monday March 7 - Public History and Public Education: Mike O'Malley

Monday March 14 - The Future of the Past: Transforming attitudes and pursuing opportunities to interpret history to an ever-changing audience: Donella Lucero

Monday March 28-The Pesthouse at the Mouth of the Columbia River: Nancy Anderson

Monday April 4-Building a Museum one Hotdog at a Time: Betsy Millard

The jurors have made their selections for the 2011 exhibition of the Willamette Valley Scholastic Art Awards! CLICK HERE to see the selected entries and schedule of events. We will post some photos and informal comments on facebook.

If you are 70 1/2 years or older, you can transfer up to $100,000 from your IRA to charity in 2010 or 2011 without claiming any increased income or paying any additional tax. Your gift of any amount can be made simply by notifying your IRA plan custodian of your intent to make a current transfer to a charitable organization. With an IRA rollover gift, you can transfer excess funds from your IRA to a non-profit and still make your regular cash gifts up to the Federal level. You should not take the distribution yourself and subsequently write a check to a charity.

This opportunity is effective for tax years 2010 and 2011, so you must act by January 31, 2011 for the 2010 tax year and December 31, 2011 for tax year 2011 to take full advantage. There are very specific procedures to follow to make a tax-free gift of this type.

Hey students in grades 7-12, it's time for students to be planning for the annual Willamette Valley Scholastic Art Awards!

FREE online registration opens 9/15/2010.

Digital (online) submissions due Sunday Dec. 12, 2010 11:59pm PST.

CLICK HERE for details!

Philomath, Ore. - Benton County Museum will host a free reception this Friday night from 5-7pm to honor two new exhibitions. AMUSEMENTS is an exhibition of toys, games, trains, bicycles, dolls and more that will appeal to adults and children alike. Philomath Open Studios showcases nine Benton County artists who are exhibiting their diverse media at the museum from November 12, 2010 through January 8, 2011. Members and the public are invited.

With the acquisition of the Horner Collection in 2008, we have more than doubled the number of artifacts in our collections. Starting with "Horner Homecoming" in 2009 and "Can You Hear Me? Now?" in 2010, Mark Tolonen, Exhibitions Curator, and his team of volunteers have been developing thematic shows that illustrate the depth and breadth of the Society's collections. Many of these artifacts have not been seen by the public since the Horner Museum at Oregon State University closed in 1993.

Participating artists in the 2010 Philomath Open Studios include Laura Berman, Katheryn Byram, Carolee Clark, Dale Donovan, Babette Grunwald, Lee Kitzman, Judith Sander, Debbie Sundbaum-Sommers and Harold Wood.

Photos from our 30th Birthday Road Trip are on our web site at http://www.bentoncountymuseum.org/history_bus_tour.cfm

Gone Fishin'! Please call after August 18 to make a research appointment. Thank you.

The final lecture in the series, "A World of Ideas" will be presented by Curtis Yehnert on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at the Corvallis/Benton County Public Library at 12:10 pm.

The trickster is a central character in stories told around the world, and in the religions of many cultures. The trickster is the original boundary crosser who traverses physical and social barriers, and blurs distinctions between right and wrong, male and female, the living and the dead. Curt Yehnert analyzes trickster tales from around the world to show how in making fun of social values they reinforce those values and in profaning sacred beliefs they focus attention on the nature of such beliefs.

The 2010 lecture series is generously sponsored by John Croy, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones. We convey many thanks to John for underwriting this popular series.

The "World of Ideas" lecture series is brought to you by the Benton County Historical Society & Museum, Linn-Benton Community College-Benton Center, and the Corvallis/Benton County Public Library, with support from our sponsor, John Croy.

Linn-Benton Community College is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Persons having questions about or requests for special needs and accommodations should contact the Disability Coordinator at Linn-Benton Community College, RCH-105, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany, Oregon 97321, Phone 541-917-4690 or via Oregon Telecommunications Relay TTD at 1-800-735-2900 or 1-800-735-1232. Contact should be made 72 hours or more in advance of the event.

THE WORLD OF IDEAS LECTURE SERIES

Tuesdays, 12:10-1:00 pm
June 29 - August 3, 2010
Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
645 NW Monroe, Corvallis

LBCC Benton Center, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library and Benton County Historical Museum present a collection of history, culture and ideas. These lectures are free and open to the public. Bring a friend and your lunch and enjoy!

June 29 Trees: An Arboreal Tour of Oregon and Beyond
Drawing on the disciplines of biology, history, literature, popular culture, and art, horticulturist, Nancy Appling, presents an interactive program that discusses why trees have earned a place of high esteem and worship throughout the world and illustrates their importance to Pacific Northwest Native Americans and the culture of Oregon. Presenter: Nancy Appling

July 6 Abraham Lincoln and the American West
This presentation draws on the speaker's recently completed book on Lincoln and the American West and shows how much Lincoln was actually linked to the West. Subjects covered include slavery, western politics, Lincoln and Indians, and Lincoln and the Civil War in the West. A concluding section of the talk deals with Lincoln's interesting connections with Oregon. Presenter: Richard Etulain

July 13 Plowman Poet: The Life and Songs of Robert Burns
With guitar accompaniment, Jeni Foster sings songs written by Burns and places them in the context of his life. Audience participation is encouraged with sing-along choruses, providing a delightfully entertaining way to learn about a fascinating literary personality. Presenter: Jeni Foster

July 20 Raza Sin Fronteras: Mexican American Cultural History
Jim García performs corridos (ballads), reviews artwork, and recites poetry to capture the voices of the Mexican American community and illuminate the uniqueness of Mexican American cultural and intellectual heritage. This presentation explores the diverse Iberian, Mexican, and indigenous influences that shape the character and history of Mexican Americans. Presenter: Jim Garcia

July 27 Language and Legends of Flowers
Flowers, herbs, and trees are woven into the fabric of the religion, mythology, and folklore of every culture. We use them for food, medicines, and potions. Historian and folklorist, Twilo Scofield, presents the language, legends, mythology, and folklore of plants through songs and stories. Presenter: Twilo Scofield

August 3 Trickster at the Crossroads of the World
The trickster is a central character in stories told around the world, and in the religions of many cultures. The trickster is the original boundary crosser who traverses physical and social barriers, and blurs distinctions between right and wrong, male and female, the living and the dead. Curt Yehnert analyzes trickster tales from around the world to show how in making fun of social values they reinforce those values and in profaning sacred beliefs they focus attention on the nature of such beliefs. Presenter: Curtis Yehnert

Linn-Benton Community College is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Persons having questions about or requests for special needs and accommodations should contact the Disability Coordinator at Linn-Benton Community College, RCH-105, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany, Oregon 97321, Phone 541-917-4690 or via Oregon Telecommunications Relay TTD at 1-800-735-2900 or 1-800-735-1232. Contact should be made 72 hours or more in advance of the event.

$15 adults, $7 children ages 10 and under

Download the flyer HERE!

Corvallis Art Guild and Benton County Historical Society present a juried art show in support of National Historic Preservation Month. The exhibition will be open to the public from April 9 - May 29, 2010

Click here for submission dates and details

Marlene McDonald of Kings Valley was honored with the prestigious Oregon Heritage Excellence Award. She received the award on April 9 from Mary Oberst, Oregon's first lady, at the annual Heritage Conference in Oregon City in recognition for her contributions to our community and to the history of Oregon. Read whole article at Gazettetimes.com >>>

February 22-April 9
Linda Crew, Bob Welch, Matt Love, Judy Juntunen, John Baker and Jon Lewis
Details >>>

Sponsors for the event include the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Friends of Willamette Valley NWR Complex, Audubon Society of Corvallis, Emerald Photographic Society, PreservationWORKS, Benton County Historical Society, and the North American Nature Photography Association. The refuge is located approximately 8 miles south of Corvallis off Hwy. 99W and 35 miles north of Eugene. Turn west at the brown and white entrance sign onto Finley Road. For more information, contact William L. Finley NWR at 541-757-7236, Monday through Friday from 8am – 4pm.

Philomath High artist a natural molding clay
Gazette Times News article by Raju Woodward
Read Article >>>

Valentines in Vegas
Friday Feb 12th
Details at http://www.bentoncountymuseum.org/ValentinesInVegas.cfm

Celebrate the advent of the holiday season by attending the Philomath Chamber of Commerce Community Christmas Tree Lighting at the Museum on Thursday December 10, 2009 from 6 to 7 pm. The annual tree-lighting celebration will be held in front of the Museum. Philomath Mayor Ken Schaudt will extend his greetings and the Philomath Elementary School children's choir will sing holiday songs. After the tree lighting, Santa Claus will arrive on a fire truck with goodies for the children. For a history of the Christmas tree project and a profile of key players in the Philomath Chamber of Commerce who made this project happen, please visit the Philomath Chamber of Commerce website

The Museum will open a new exhibition during the event in the first floor gallery called "Can You Hear Me? Now?" After the lighting ceremony, the Museum will be open at 7 pm for a special reception for the exhibition, which features musical instruments, radios, televisions and telephones from the collections. Come see how technology has changed in the past 100 years, and try some of the interactive exhibitions, featuring a telephone "party line".

Find out if our venerated local institution of higher learning has been behaving like a Hollywood starlet. George Edmonston, former editor of the Oregon Stater, OSU historian, and BCHS Board member will give a talk on the topic entitled "Is OSU Lying about Its Age?" at the Society's Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 4 pm in the Moreland Auditorium.

Results of the Society's election of Board of Trustees will also be announced at the Annual Meeting, which begins at 3:30 pm. The event is free and open to the membership and the public.

Noted Northwest author, Rick Steber, will give a talk at the Benton County Museum, 1101 Main Street, in Philomath on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 7 pm in the Moreland Auditorium.

Mr. Steber's work has been called "Western literature at its best."

According to his website, "Each of Rick Steber's books is both an exciting western adventure and historical chronicle. Rich in variety and content, readers feel the compelling dramas revealed through the eyes of the characters. They define the dynamics of western life in a fashion no other author has been able to attain."

Please join us for this free event.

This year's Quilt County exhibition, "Celebrating Oregon's Heritage" continues in the Moreland Auditorium Gallery through October 18, 2009. Every other year, Benton County becomes Quilt County, with simultaneous quilt shows in Corvallis, Philomath, and the surrounding area. Although most quilt exhibitions happen during the month of September, several venues hold their shows over into mid-October. If you haven't had a chance to see these unique and colorful shows, you still have time! Please visit our website for quilt show details. Quilt County exhibition guides are available at the Museum.

The Benton County Historical Society will offer around 100 items on an auction website to raise money to benefit Benton County Historical Museum operations. The Society's goal is to raise $5,000 through its online auction.

The auction will open on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 8 AM PST and run through Saturday, October 10, 2009. Interested bidders may access the auction website through the Museum's website at www.bentoncountymuseum.org or direct link at https://www.cmarket.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?auctionId=88938360.

Trips, get-aways, restaurant certificates, food and food clubs, services for home and garden, and art and antiques are listed for bid. Email updates are automatically sent to bidders to "watch" items of interest.

Thank you for your donating items and bidding at auction!

The Oregon Cultural Trust has designated Thursday, October 8, 2009 as Oregon's "Day of Culture". Cultural institutions across the state will recognize the Cultural Trust's 7th anniversary of the income tax credit. To date, the Oregon Cultural Trust has accumulated $11.3 million, which generates over $1 million annually to support non-profit cultural institutions around the state. For more information visit www.culturaltrust.org.

The Museum's driveways and parking lot will be under construction for the next two months so we can improve access to the building and enhance parking. Overflow parking is available next door in the fire department's new gravel parking lot behind the fire department (access off of 10th street).

Greenberry Construction is the general contractor for the project, which will consist of demolition and new construction of existing approaches, sidewalks and parking lot.

Sub contractors have generously donated gifts-in-kind to make the project feasible. The total cost of the project is $210,000.

The project calls for the following driveway closures:

• The east driveway is scheduled to be closed from Monday, August 3, 2009 through Wednesday, August 19, 2009.
• The west driveway is scheduled to be closed from Thursday, August 20, 2009 through Tuesday, September 1, 2009.
• Paving and striping will take place Friday, September 18 through Tuesday, September 22, 2009. All access will be closed.
• PARKING at the Museum will be limited during construction. Museum patrons can park behind the Museum building or on the street.
• Parking will be unavailable on site during paving and striping.
• The Museum WILL BE OPEN REGULAR HOURS DURING CONSTRUCTION.

This schedule is subject to change without notice. Thanks for your patience!

Learn more >>>

Benton County Historical Society presents Home Is Where The Art Is, an exhibition of decorative art from the Museum's vast collection.  The exhibition will be open June 19 through August 22, 2009.

In the decorative arts, artists enrich our environment by embellishing everyday household objects. Decorative arts including silver, glass, ceramics, textiles and furniture are the emphasis of the exhibition.  Many of the historic objects on display came to BCHS from the Horner Museum in Corvallis and have not been seen publicly for decades.

Visit the online decorative arts exhibition >>>

These six programs are sponsored by a collaboration among the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, Linn-Benton Community College: Benton Center, and Benton County Historical Society. John Croy/Edward Jones Investments sponsored programs by Mary Bywater Cross, Carole Glauber, Janet L. Brown, and Diane L. Goeres-Gardner.

Oregon Council For The Humanities sponsored programs by Elliott Young and Robert L. Hamm.

All programs start at noon at the main branch of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Bring your own brown bag lunch!

More >>>

Please join your friends and neighbors at the Benton County Museum for a catered barbeque dinner, live music, and silent auction. Thursday, July 9, from 5:30-7:30pm.

Admission for adults is $15 and youth tickets (ages 10 and under) are $7.

This fundraiser for the Benton County Historical Society & Museum is sponsored by Starker Forests, Inc.

The museum is located at 1101 Main Street, Philomath, Oregon. (541) 929-6230

The exhibition will be open May 1 through June 13, 2009.

Please join us for an opening reception Friday May 1 from 5-7pm. Read More...

Winning entries have been announced for the 2009 Willamette Valley High School Art Competition.

See the list and some samples of student art >>>

Media Contacts
Amy Spies, Corvallis-Benton Co Public Library, 541 766-6486 or 766-6793
Christopher Rumbaugh, CBCPL, 541 766-6965 or 766-6793
Larry Landis, The Valley Library, OSU, 541 737-0540 or 737-2761
Mark Tolonen, Benton County Historical Society & Museum, 541 929-6230 x306

Oregon Is Indian County Showing April 2-30 at Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, The Valley Library (Oregon State University), and Benton County Historical Museum (Philomath)

Corvallis, OR - Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, The Valley Library (Oregon State University), and Benton County Historical Museum (Philomath) invite one and all to view a special exhibit of Oregon's Native American heritage, Oregon Is Indian Country, showing April 2 through April 26.

Oregon Is Indian Country represents a groundbreaking project bringing all nine Oregon tribes together to present information never-before-assembled in one exhibit on contemporary indigenous cultures. Oregon's Indian traditions will be inherent from many art forms including native voices, historical artifacts, photographs and more, producing a powerful exhibition.

Corvallis-Benton County Public Library will feature the portion of the exhibit called "The Land". The Valley Library (Oregon State University) is hosting "Traditions That Bind." Benton County Historical Museum (Philomath) will present "Federal Indian Policies."

The exhibit is a direct result of the Oregon Tribes Project, a multi-year collaboration between the Oregon Historical Society's Folklife Program and Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes. Tribal members documented their contemporary traditions and worked with Society staff to plan a series of heritage resources to be used to teach about tribal histories and cultures.

Oregon Tribes utilizes native voices, traditions, and art forms, as well as historic artifacts and photographs to produce an exhibition, educational materials, and public programs to educate people about Oregon's contemporary tribes. Antone Minthorn, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservations says, "We have survived the tidal wave of immigration to our country. The American public needs to hear these stories of survival. This place, the United States of America, is our home, but we all have a voice in shaping a legacy for our children."

Support for this exhibit is generously provided by the following organizations: Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation; Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and the Siletz Tribal Council; Spirit Mountain Community Fund; Wildhorse Foundation; Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Oregon State Library National Endowment for the Arts; Oregon Arts Commission; Oregon Heritage Commission; Collins Foundation; Jackson Foundation; PGE Foundation; and Oregon Council for the Humanities.

Oregon Is Indian County Programs at Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, The Valley Library (Oregon State University), and Benton County Historical Museum (Philomath) Corvallis, OR - To celebrate and promote the exhibits, three programs, one at each venue, will be offered, throughout the month of April. These programs are free and open to the public. The Corvallis Library will host Esther Stutzman on Friday, April 3 at 7:00 pm in the Main Meeting Room. Esther Stutzman, (Kalapuya, Coos) an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz, will tell stories and offer drumming from the Kalapuya and Coos people. Esther is the chair of a non-profit Kalapuya organization, Komemma Cultural Protection Association, dedicated to researching the Kalapuya. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information, call the Library's Reference Desk, at 766-6793.

The Benton County Historical Museum in Philomath will offer a special demonstration on Saturday, April 11, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. Alfred 'Bud' Lane III, (Chetco, Lower Rogue, Shasta) a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, will share items and information about Siletz traditional life ways, including information and items representative of Siletz basketry, traditional regalia, utilitarian art/everyday items. For information, call the Benton County Historical Museum at 929-6230.

Oregon State University will host Brigette Whipple on Monday, April 20, at a time and location to be announced on the Oregon State University campus. Brigette Whipple, (Wasco, Warm Springs, Paiute) an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, will offer a culture share about the art of beading for regalia and horse trappings. Brigette began beading at the age of six, watching and leaned from her father's sisters and grandmother. For information, call Archives reference desk at The Valley Library at 737-2761. More >>>

The Benton County Historical Society is proud to host the 26th annual Art: The Fourth 'R' exhibition, celebrating Philomath student art from March 6 through March 28, 2009.

The evening includes a silent auction, entertainment, hors d'ouevres, punch, Oregon birthday cake, and a cash bar. This year, childcare is provided for children ages 2 and up. Your $25 ticket includes admission to the event, "funny money" to play the tables, one drink, and lots of FUN! Tickets are available by calling the Museum at (541) 929-6230. Quantities are limited, so call today!

On Tuesday, February 10, 2009, the Museum will host a "Lincoln Town Hall" event in the Moreland Auditorium from 7 to 9 pm. Mr. Lincoln himself (portrayed by Steve Holgate) will be on hand to talk about his life and presidency - and yes, we will have birthday cake!

There will be songs and music from the Lincoln era, readings from Lincoln in fiction, and a press conference with Lincoln. Steve Holgate is joined by Richard W. Etulain, PhD (whom many of you know from Oregon Chautauqua presentations) Tony Wolk, PhD, Elliott Trommell, PhD, and "Illinois" Doug Tracy.

Don't miss this exciting celebration of the birth of Abraham Lincoln presented by the Oregon Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, supported by the Oregon Council for the Humanities, Oregon University system, Qwest, Landye Bennett Blumstein, LLP, Russell Development Corporation, and Schwabe, Williamson, and Wyatt.

For Immediate Release: April 21, 2008
Contact: Mark Tolonen, Curator of Exhibitions
Phone: 541.929.6230

intertwined: an exhibit of handmade baskets

Philomath, Ore. - The Benton County Historical Society is proud to host "intertwined: an exhibit of handmade baskets" by three Oregon artists Bud Lane, Mariana Mace and Margaret Mathewson. The exhibition will open to the public from May 17 through July 19, 2008. An opening reception will be held Friday May 16 from 5-7pm.

Each artist brings passion and diverse talents to their basketry, from the harvesting of materials to the methods of weaving. Much of the basketry, being shared publicly for only two months, is from private collections. Some are ceremonial tribal headgear. Others are utilitarian. All are inspirational works of art.

"I have had an almost lifelong fascination for using my hands to make things, to put materials together, to interconnect elements: yarns, beads, fabric pieces, parts of plants. Each small stitch, or row, or piece of fabric is much like every other, but how they combine leads to endless variety" says artist Mariana Mace.

Enjoy a visit to Oregon's past AND present! The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 - 4:30. Admission is always free!

Located six miles west of Corvallis on Hwy 20/34, at 1101 Main Street, Philomath, Oregon, the Benton County Historical Society operates the Museum facilities for the preservation of history and culture. Its goal is to preserve the material culture of Benton County, Oregon. It strives to enrich people's lives through interesting exhibitions and educational programs.

Working in collaboration with other artists on one piece is the most challenging, satisfying, frustrating, invigorating, soul-searching endeavor that I could put myself through-and I love it.

I was approached by Judi to do the mixed media show almost 2 years ago. Then the three of us started meeting monthly at our studios to share ideas, art, and wine. Though I knew of their work as individuals, I hadn't ever worked with them on a show or project. This newness was very exciting for me. It is so typical for each of us to work long periods of time alone in our studios without interacting, creatively, with others. So I would leave these meetings feeling more inspired and putting pen to paper with new ideas and designs. I am very excited to see this show come together. It will certainly be a feast for the eyes and there will be something for everyone to see. - Lauren Ohlgren

I've always enjoyed collaborating on a work with other artists. One learns so much about working in the moment and being able to trust. The challenge on these 3 collaborative pieces was the difference of mediums: glass, wax, paint, oil pastel, paper and objects. We also picked a rather large size which I think surprised us all. I found it interesting that in Webster's Dictionary the words collaborative and collage fall right next to each other. - Judith Sander

The exhibition runs through May 10, 2008.

Welch, who grew up in Corvallis, is a nationally-recognized columnist, author, speaker and adjunct professor at the University of Oregon. He will share his thoughts, often humorous, about the importance of history in our lives.

Welch is the general columnist for The (Eugene) Register-Guard, and has been honored by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, as well as the Oregon Newspaper Publisher Association's "Best Writing" and "Best Column" awards. Articles of his have been published in more than a dozen books, including the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

He has also had articles published in such magazines as Los Angeles Times Magazine, Reader's Digest, Sports Illustrated, and Runner's World.

Lately the author has been concentrating on medical topics after the release of his book, American Nightingale (Simon & Schuster's Atria Books, June 2004). The book, heralded by Publishers Weekly as a "stirring story," is about the first nurse to die after the landings at Normandy. Among his seven other books are My Oregon, My Seasons, Easy Company Soldier. His latest release is Pebble in the Water.

A selection of his publications will be available for purchase and a short autograph session will follow the breakfast.

Tickets, which include your breakfast, are $14 for members and $34 for non-members. (An individual membership in the Society is $20.) This is an event that you won't want to miss! Please call the Museum 541-929-6230 and ask to have your name added to the reservation list by Monday, November 10, 2008.

Walter Frankel, Kate Mathews, Marcia Cutler, Joyce Nesson, Martha Fraundorf, Marjorie Goss, Channa Farber, Sandi Schindler, Bill Myers, Bill Ayers, Bob Fessenden, Wayne Schultz, Dianna Hanson, Rod & Ruby Frakes, Patti Larkin, Linda Holcomb-Bryant, Karen Brockett, Karen Tornaw, Wayne & Marjorie Parker, Sharon Franklin, Molly Eckert, Selby Gunter, Peggy Poling, Jim Vomocil, Tarillis Adams, Andrea Blake, Duane & Marty Cavit, Irene Sussman.

Mark Tolonen was hired as the new Curator of Exhibitions in February.

Mark holds a BA in History from the University of Connecticut and a graduate diploma in Cultural Conservation from the University of Victoria, Canada. He worked at the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Clatsop County Historical Society and the Seaside Museum and Historical Society before moving to Eugene in 2006 so his wife could attend graduate school at the University of Oregon. Mark most recently worked at the Lane County Historical Museum in Eugene as the Exhibit Curator. He is a web master, has taught a variety of college-level computer classes, and brings graphic design skills to his position. In addition, Mark has worked on high lifts and scaffolding, reached the summit of the tallest mountain in the lower 48, driven a 62’ twin screw boat on the Columbia River, and pulled the fur of many an 800 lb. wild sea lion and still has all ten fingers!

The Collins Foundation has awarded a $40,000 grant to help purchase powder-coated steel oversize shelving for Collection Care Facility. Total cost of the shelving is $83,000; the Society received $25,000 from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund and $10,000 from the Brauti Family Fund at the Oregon Community Foundation.

These grants will assure that our valuable collections will be properly stored on shelving that will not collapse, bend or be subject to earthquake.

The Benton County Historical Society committed over $2 million to erect a state-of-the-art storage facility for its collections. The Society accepted the responsibility of the Horner Collection, formerly owned by Oregon State University. The 60,000 object collection will be combined with the Society's 20,000 objects in the new facility. Funds are still needed to support this project. For more information please call Ron Thiesen, Development Director, at the Museum 541-929-6230.

For more information about the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation go to: www.pacificpower.net/ppfoundation. Information about the Collins Foundation can be found at: www.collinsfoundation.org

The Kenneth Munford articles were originally published in Horner Museum Tour Guide Series, and over time the Society plans to embellish the online articles with historic and contemporary photographs. Pioneer Trails from Corvallis to the Coast and Pioneer Trails from Benton to Douglas Counties are fun travel companions for summer drives.

Included in the online database are excerpts from McKenney, Langley and Polk Business Directories with emphasis on Corvallis, Monroe, and Philomath, Oregon. Visitors may search by name of individual or company name, as well as categorically by type of business or year. The business directories are a frequently used resource for historians and genealogists.

The data entry was done by volunteer Walter Frankel, who said "As I was cataloguing the 950 photographs from the Harriet Moore estate, I was constantly using the directories to verify information. I knew this information would be useful to others, and am delighted the BCHM web site can now support a searchable database. I only wish it had been available when I was doing that round of cataloguing!"

Click here to browse the auction catalog, donate to the auction catalog, or bid on items!

AUCTION HAS ENDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

An election of officers will be held at the meeting. Ballots will be sent to the membership with the slate of proposed officers by October 20, 2008. Please cast your vote, or plan to attend the annual meeting. The membership is welcome.

On Saturday, December 6, 2008 and Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 10 am to 12 noon, Museum members will receive a 20% discount on all Museum Store items--just in time for holiday shopping!

We know that you'll want to save money this holiday season, so we've slashed prices for members only!

We've renewed our stock of best-selling books and have ordered some new, unique merchandise.

Here are a few of the titles and items we have for your shopping pleasure:

Ever Blooming: The Art of Bonnie Hall --members' price $20 (regularly $25)

The Spirit of Corvallis--members' price $20.76 (regularly $25.95)

The Bellfountain Giant Killers--members' price $8 (regularly $10)

New gift items include: Cast iron reproduction banks--members' price $31.96 (regularly $39.95)

Beaver and moose plush toys (to honor the Horner Collection) $6.36 (regularly $7.50)

Plus ornaments, music boxes, canvas grocery bags, and bisque jars--MANY ITEMS PRICED UNDER $10. Stocking stuffers galore!

This is an exclusive sale to thank you for your continuing support of the Historical Society & Museum.

Thank you!

Monday, February 23, 2009
Janice Marschner, author "Oregon 1859: A Snapshot in Time"
A Look at Oregon in the Year of Statehood
An overview of the 100+ communities in Oregon in 1859. Lecture will be held at the Benton County Historical Museum, 1101 Main Street Philomath, Oregon 97370 at 10 o'clock a.m. in the Moreland Auditorium. Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m.; questions and discussion will follow the lecture.

Monday, March 2, 2009
Shannon Applegate, author "Skookum: An Oregon Pioneer's family history and lore"
1859 through Applegate Family Letters
Exploration of a pioneer's family through letters. Lecture will be held at the Benton County Historical Museum, 1101 Main Street Philomath, Oregon 97370 at 10 o'clock a.m. in the Moreland Auditorium. Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m.; questions and discussion will follow the lecture.

Monday, March 9, 2009
Mary Gallagher, Collections Manager, Benton County Museum
Benton County, Oregon in 1859
Benton County, Oregon's built environment at the time of statehood. Lecture will be held at the Benton County Historical Museum, 1101 Main Street Philomath, Oregon 97370 at 10 o'clock a.m. in the Moreland Auditorium. Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m.; questions and discussion will follow the lecture.

Monday, March 16, 2009
Patricia Benner, Oregon State University
Hanna and Eliza Gorman, black pioneers of 1844
The story of a mother and daughter who came to Oregon as slaves, and the home that they built in Corvallis.
Talk Description: Hannah, a black woman, and her six-year old daughter Eliza traveled the Oregon Trail in 1844. They made this journey as the slaves of John Thorpe, the head of the wagon train. They are the only known black women to be listed in an Oregon Trail roster. Much of their story is still a mystery, but among the information that is currently known, they became respected members of the Corvallis community. Their home still stands in town on land that they bought from William Dixon in 1857, and two half-lots bought in 1858. Their home is one of the oldest remaining houses in the city. Gorman, their last name, and first appeared in the 1860 census. Later Hannah's son, Hiram Gorman, and his family also moved to Oregon. This presentation shares the wonderful pieces of information that are coming together to tell their story.

Lecture will be held at the Benton County Historical Museum, 1101 Main Street Philomath, Oregon 97370 at 10 o'clock a.m. in the Moreland Auditorium. Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m.; questions and discussion will follow the lecture.

Monday, March 30, 2009
Esther Stutzman, Kalapuya Tribal elder
The Kalapuya Experience
Lifestyle and impact of contact with pioneer culture. Lecture will be held at the Benton County Historical Museum, 1101 Main Street Philomath, Oregon 97370 at 10 o'clock a.m. in the Moreland Auditorium. Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m.; questions and discussion will follow the lecture.

Monday, April 6, 2009
Nancy Bryant, Oregon State University
Dressed for the 18th Century
Professor Emerita Bryant's famous "reverse strip tease" describes apparel in the 18th century, an era that led up to western migratiom. Lecture will be held at the Benton County Historical Museum, 1101 Main Street Philomath, Oregon 97370 at 10 o'clock a.m. in the Moreland Auditorium. Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m.; questions and discussion will follow the lecture.

Irene Zenev, who served as the curator of exhibits for the organization for more than eight years before retiring in November, starts her new job Oct. 1.

"It will be really nice to be back," said Zenev, of Eugene.

"She's a wonderful person to work with. She's very knowledgeable about her field. I'm very much looking forward to working for her," said Mary Gallagher, collections manager for the historical society and museum.

"It's a good time for the Benton County Historical Society right now, and I'm very optimistic about the future," Gallagher added.

Zenev's first task will be overseeing the move of 60,000 items from the mothballed Horner Collection.

Those artifacts, currently stored in the basement of Gill Coliseum at Oregon State University, will be moved to a new $2.3 million collections care facility near the Philomath museum.

The building, under construction, is scheduled to be completed this fall.

"I really felt like I was the perfect person to lead that," Zenev said.

She previously oversaw the move of a collection into a new facility at the Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History in Roseburg. That facility was where she began her museum career, in 1985.

The museum also has plans to showcase items from the Horner Museum in a new downtown Corvallis museum. That facility, however, likely is years away.

In the 1990s, Oregon State University closed the Horner Museum because of budget cuts.

Although Zenev "retired" in November, she kept busy working as a marketing and exhibits specialist for the Lane County Museum in Eugene, as a clerical specialist with Linn-Benton Community College's Benton Center, and by teaching Pilates classes.

About a year ago, she also was appointed by Gov. Ted Kulongowski to the Oregon Heritage Commission, and she also is the Oregon Museum Association's past president.

Zenev sees herself as leading the Benton County Historical Society and Museum for at least five years. She plans to move to Benton County as soon as she can.

Written by Kyle Odegard of the Gazette Times. He can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.

Irene Zenev, Executive Director, made a decision to create an exhibition of a sampling of artifacts from the Horner Collection as soon as was feasible after the move. "This exhibition, which we named 'Horner Homecoming', symbolizes the completion of this project," Zenev said. "I felt that we owed it to our members and to the community to develop an exhibition of Horner objects, which had been locked away from public view for so long. We hope that people will be excited to see these wonderful objects again after 15 years - if not for the first time."

Over two hundred artifacts from the Horner Collection are on exhibition in the gallery on the first floor of the Museum. The objects chosen for display are a sampling of the many areas of the collection, intending to show how eclectic nature of the Horner Collection.