HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 Heritage AwardsSpringfield Upbeat
September 19, 2022
Springfield Heritage Awards
The Springfield Heritage Awards is a new award program. This award program is from the Springfield
Historic Commission in collaboration with the Springfield History Museum Committee. The awards are
to recognize significant achievements in stewardship of the physical and cultural heritage of Springfield,
Oregon. These awards recognize a broad array of stewardship activities that increase awareness,
appreciation, and support an inclusive perspective of local heritage.
There are two award categories: (1) Preservation Excellence Award; and (2) History Maker Award. While
the Preservation Excellence Award will focus on projects such as historic preservation/restoration or
research/outreach activities, the History Maker Award will focus on a person or entity that
demonstrates leadership in shaping, preserving, and fostering appreciation of local heritage — past,
present, and future.
The nominations from the community included 19 different proposals.
The winners of the awards are (from the following 5 finalists):
History Maker Award
1. Dottie Chase
This year, 2022, marks the 20th Anniversary of the Emerald Empire Art Association (EEAA) becoming a
non-profit 501(c)3 visual arts organization and their grand opening of the Emerald Art Center's home on
the corner of 5th and Main. Dottie Chase has been on the Board of Directors for the EEAA for over four
decades (she won't say exactly how many)! Her expertise in fundraising, community relations, business
management, and special events has endeared many community leaders to support the Art Center.
Dottie continues to embody the Emerald Art Center's mission to "provide an opportunity for all who
desire to create art and exhibit their work by cultivating a vibrant art community through education,
outreach and partnerships". She is a guiding light, a source of endless ideas for encouraging visual and
performing arts in Springfield. Springfield has greatly benefited from her philosophy that we citizens can
do more than we think we can, and indeed, we are called to do all we can to support our community no
matter the hill that must be climbed. She is a force for good.
Other notable accomplishments include:
• Spearheading the installation of the "Oregon Trail" Mural by Ann Louise Woodruff Murray in
1994
• instrumental in getting The Simpsons mural installed on the west wall of the EEAA building
• In 2019 & 2020, Dottie chaired the Springfield Mayor's Gala
2. Kalapuya Talking Stones
Citizen Planning Committee for the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park(CPC)
Esther Stutzman
Kommema Cultural Protection Association
Lisa Ponder and Mark Andrew
Willamalane Park and Recreation District
City of Eugene Parks and Open Space
The Kalapuya Talking Stones were designed as educational and cultural reference points, as well as
beautiful art objects. There are currently fifteen basalt boulders in the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton
Baker Park; five are located in the 46 acres of the park in Springfield.
The word "Whilamut (pronounced "wheel -a -moot") means "where the river ripples and runs fast."
Some linguists theorize that the name "Willamette" may have derived from this Kalapuya word. Before
the Talking Stones, the Kalapuya heritage was largely hidden. The purpose of the Talking Stones project
was to revive Kalapuya language and honor indigenous culture. In 2003, the first 11 Talking Stones were
placed to honor traditional Kalapuya stewardship of the land. In 2011, four additional Talking Stones
were placed, sponsored by the Oregon Department of Transportation as mitigation for using the park
land for the construction of the Willamette 1-5 bridge. The Talking Stones Project is ongoing. The CPC
and people from the Native community have been approached about expanding the Talking Stone
project at educational institutions, at other parks, or on private property.
The Talking Stones' power and presence has been built upon countless volunteer hours for decades,
from people who should be acknowledged because they are willing to work hard, take risks, and stand
up for recognition and respect of the Kalapuya. The results we see with the Talking Stones projects (the
two installations) demonstrate that the efforts are well worth it.
Preservation Excellence Award
1. 745 C St—Selah Mever. nominator
This home was built in 1910, with materials and craftsmanship from that era. As a first-time homeowner
with a family history of restoring and appreciating historic homes, the owners wanted this house to
stand for another 110 years by using materials from 2020 to showcase the quality of the historic
materials from 1910. Restoration was the first priority and the enduring theme for the duration of the
project. The aim was to maximize the use of original materials, thereby paying homage and respecting
the fact that most, if not all, the wood that is found in this home was milled in the forest around
Springfield and taken by railroad to be milled in Springfield. Every decision was made in order to show
respect and deference to the history, high quality materials and heritage of this home and
neighborhood. The style, workmanship, and quality of a homebuilt over 100 years ago cannot be
replicated, but it can be brought back to life with purposeful craftsmanship and an eye for respecting
the past and the heritage of a home and its history. The result is a house that looks like it was just built
in 1910, with the structure and inner workings to be a safe and structurally sound home for the next 110
years.
2. Chamber of Commerce — Vonnie Mikkelsen, nominator
The Springfield Chamber of Commerce worked with local businesses and community partners to
complete interior spatial improvements and technology upgrades to the Springfield Business and
Visitors Center at the historic Depot. These modest but impactful improvements to the interior space
were completed by the business community for the community, in honor of the building's heritage and
preserving our community's quality of place assets. They exemplify the spirit of revitalization of
Downtown, uplifting the building's presence both as a cultural asset to the city and as home to the
Chamber.
The final product culminated in a $100,000 investment in building interior improvements, new
equipment, and user amenities.
3. Laurel Grove Cemetery Revitalization —John Davis, nominator
Over the past ten plus years the Laurel Grove Cemetery board members and volunteers from the
community including members of the Springfield Rotary have been maintaining the grounds of the
Cemetery. For much of its existence the cemetery was not cared for at all. The land was allowed to
become wild and may grave sites and markers were lost. The Board has worked diligently to right these
wrongs through proper maintenance and comprehensive research and documentation of the
cemetery's history. Through this revitalization work we are able to celebrate the important history of
the resting place of the founders of Springfield, preserve monuments, increase accessibility and
community awareness of the importance of this site.