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Baker County Historical Society |
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Baker County Historical Society |
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On February, 2, 1954, the
Baker County Historical Society signed a lease with Carl Davis, Manager of the
Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan Association, for the balcony space in that
Association's building, 2100 block, Main Street. The Society's committee made up
of Davis, Judge Forrest Hubbard, Joseph O'Connor, and Clyde Whited, purchased
cases for the Society with financial aid from Pioneer Federal.
The Society's first museum opened Aug. 2, 1954, with 55
displayed items, and was open three afternoons a week. In late 1960, the display
was moved to the City Hall basement where it was open to the public until
accessions overcrowded the space.
In the spring of 1973, Board members of School District
5J (George Gildersleeve, Dan Warnock, Ralph Ward, Frances Burgess, and John
Story) upon encouragement of Supt. J. R. Evans, (who was also chairman of the
City Centennial committee), declared a collection of school artifacts to be a
school museum collection. These were materials salvaged from a 20-year
renovation of the gold-mine era buildings. It was further suggested that Baker
County and the City of Baker join with the School District in promoting a county
museum organization that request being made formally on Nov. 7, 1973.
The County and the City approved such a joint effort.
County Judge Lloyd Rea appointed a County Museum
Commission on Dec. 28, 1973. Members of the Commission were Chairman Henry
Levinger, Mrs. Donald Ellingson, Mrs. Irving Rand, Bill J. Robinson, R. D.
Thompson of the Panhandle, John Mitchell of Sumpter, and Ted Heard of Haines.
Alice Warnock advertised and chaired an open meeting
held in the Children's Room of the Baker City (Carnegie) Library, on Nov. 13,
1974. Approximately 40 persons attended and discussed the possible uses of the
Natatorium Building. The museum concept was introduced and accepted. A volunteer
Citizens' committee was organized: Chairman. Mrs. Dan Warnock; Vice Chairman. J.
D. Lethlean; Secretaries, Carol Sherrieb and Berry Kuhl; and members Joann
Boyer, Mr. and Mrs. Bill J. Robinson, Richard Langrell, Hazel Bates, Nell Irby,
Byron Brinton, and Truscott Irby.
On December 3, 1974, the Citizens' Committee made their
initial presentation to the Museum Commission, and on December 19th, made the
first of many visits to the City Council and its Committees.
In April, 1975, the County Commission received its
first gift of money for their expenses. This came when Connie (Palmer) Hogge and
Carol Sherrieb arranged for the University of Oregon's Dobre Folk Dance Ensemble
to perform in Baker, and a donation from the Sumpter Women's Club.
It became apparent that the Baker County Historical
Society, Inc. would be the natural legal participant between the County Museum
Commission's interests and the City of Baker. The City honored the Committee's
request to improve the Nat's appearance by using 91 sheets of plywood to cover
the broken windows.
The Society gained a two year lease to the building on
Nov. 2, 1976, from the City. Gaining previous entry to the building, the first
phase of clean-out removed 26 loads of debris. After completing their workday
volunteers worked as long as the sun's light was available in the dark
structure. Their suppers were served in the park by the Society in appreciation
for their hard, dirty work.
The American Association of University Women conducted
a Charter Membership campaign for the Oregon Trail Regional Museum in April,
1977. The letter reported the installation of a new metal roof, and new
steel-concrete footings of all support posts in the building through funds from
Baker County Bicentennial Committee, Baker County Oregon Bicentennial Committee,
Baker County Historical Society, Organizations, and Private Donors. The campaign
was well received. Several donors continue to support the reconstruction
progress with annual tax-deductible donations and maintain their Charter-OTRM-support.
In October, 1980, the Society observed Gold Discovery
Day with an Open House in a partially finished room and unfinished hallway with
limited artifact exhibits, and a program which was a slide presentation of
historic pictures of Baker County. Seating was provided by using the old
Methodist Church pews. For want of facilities, a "chidk-sales" was rented.
Gold Discovery Day, 1981 Open House showed more
progress in the reconstruction work, and activity increased to prepare for
opening for Miner's Jubilee, 1982. A gas furnace and ducts, another power panel,
more wiring, insulation, sheet-rock, painting, and windows were installed.
Thousands of volunteer labor-hours were donated to achieve the goal, "Open for
Jubilee," mostly by Harry Williams, Jerry VanHoomissenm, by Rarey, Carol
Sherrieb and Mary Oman.
In addition, the museum installed the front door, gift
of Edna Pollman Nash; received the painting, "Crossing the Powder," a gift from
Ellen Williams; exhibit cases were arranged with appropriate displays; and
special showings and tours were given; over 1750 people from 28 states visited
during the Jubilee and the museum being open two days a week for the season.
Ready in June 1983, with more improvements the
volunteer staff opened the Museum 4 hours a day, five days a week, and received
3,100 guests. In addition, the museum hosted the 75th Anniversary of the U.S.
Forest Service observance, featured a C.C.C. exhibit; and dedicated Room #2 to
be the Loe Adler Exhibit Hall. Over 150 attended the dedication. Mr. Adler's
portrait was painted and given by Ellen Williams.
The remainder of the Society's artifacts were packed
and moved from the City Hall to the Museum by Keith Long, Jerry VanHoomissen and
Carol Sherrieb.
Former Baker resident, Mamie Cavin, Pismo Beach, Ca.
called Henry Levinger, and offered the Cavin-Warfel Collection of Rocks and
Minerals. The Museum aimed to have this outstanding collection on display by
July 20, Miner's Jubilee. The Museum opened a drive to secure matching grant
funds. The city and the county gave financial assistance; Society President,
Harry Williams became both an advisor and the contractor for the project; work
began to construct three new rooms, carpet four rooms, and level floors and
paint Room #3 and the Accession Room.
Byron Brinton and Jerry VanHoomissen went to
California, where they were joined by Ardis (Brinton) Cousins in inventorying
the Cavin-Warfel Collection. In March, Ron D. Brinton, Byron Rarey, Byron
Brinton, Jerry VanHoomissen, and Dennis Larios were gone twelve days to pack and
transport the eighteen tons of rocks, minerals, and other items. Floyd Duncan's
donated tractor-trailer, a rented truck, and three pickups made up the caravan.
The Museum was opened in June for six hours a day amid
the sounds of hammers and saws. Accession work began on the Ruth Best Collection
of sea shells and life, and the clothing items in the Cavin Collection. Fifteen
cubic yards of concrete was wheel-barrowed through the entry hall to level the
floor of Room #3.
On July 16th, the 38 fluorescent fixtures and tubes for
the interior of the fourteen new display cases had not arrived; nor did they
come on Tuesday. Wednesday found Jerry VanHoomissen, By Rarey and Ron D. Brinton
installing the fixtures; Keith Long and Jim Lee brought up the boxes of rocks in
wheelbarrows. As soon as a case had its fixtures installed, the Henry Levingers,
the Bob Putmans, Letha Shumway, and Lillie Lovelace began building its display.
By noon, the Calvin-Warfel Collection was open to
Miner's Jubilee!
The Grand Opening of the Collection was held August 15.
County Judge, Larry Smith; City Manager, Arthur Reiff; Councilman, (former
Mayor), Ralph McNeil; and Commissioner Fred Ringer cut the ribbon. Representing
Mamie Cavin were her nieces Ferne Putman, of Baker, and Virginia Wessler of
Sacramento, and great-nieces Ferne Putman, of Baker, and Virginia Wessler of
Sacramento, and great-nieces Merna Putman and Judy Wessler.
The ceremonies and Open House in the Museum were
followed by a no-host banquet at the Kopper Kitchen where Mrs. B. D. Kuhl was
Mistress of Ceremonies. Ellen Williams was graciously thanked for her portrait
of Mamie Cavin to the museum. Mrs. Putman presented a photograph of Beth (Cavin)
Warfel, and the family presented the rare-crafter Chengtu Silver Collection.
In addition to the contracted work, volunteers
contributed 1200 hours. The museum was open for 110 days and hosted 4100 guests.
The 1985 Season's attendance topped 7,600 with the Museum being open 850 hours
in 140 days. The Ladies' Rest Room had been built.
The 1986 Season has begun with over 2,000 visitors by
mid-June. Electrical work and finishing the upstairs for a storage area is in
progress. Reconstruction of the Annex to house the Rocks and Minerals exhibits
in a larger space, and better utilization of the Theme Hall are the next
projects.
The present Baker County Museum Commission is chaired
by C. J. VanHoomissen, with members: Mrs. B. D. Kuhl, Mrs. Kenneth Boyer, Mrs.
Dan Warnock, Byron Brinton, Byron Rarey, and Fred Warner.
The Oregon Trail Regional Museum is a major attraction
to Baker County. Its reputation is spreading rapidly as out-of-state visitors
are making repeated visits. The Museum Commission and the Historical Society are
mutually proud of their concerted efforts toward an outstanding museum.
(Sponsored by the Baker County Historical Society.)
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