The Santiam Heritage Foundation will host The Oregon Historical Society’s traveling exhibit, “A Century of Wonder: 100 Years of Oregon State Parks” this month.
In celebration of the centennial of the state’s parks system, which was commemorated in 2022, OHS commissioned photographer Peter Marbach to document “the beauty and geographic diversity that can be found throughout Oregon’s natural spaces.”
The exhibit will be shown from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 18 and 25, and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 30. “This year the Samuel S Jackson Foundation is making these traveling exhibits financially possible,” said Wendy Stone, representing SHF, the organization that oversees the Historic Brown House. “SHF has discussed many programs we wish to offer, especially using the archives we possess from the Brown family and Ernst Lau, Stayton’s historian.”
According to Stone, two more Oregon Historical Society Traveling Exhibits are planned for later this year, one in July and one in November.
The cost of $5 per adult includes a docent guided tour of the 1903 Queen Anne style house at 425 N. First Ave, Stayton. Under 18 is free.
Stone said that the proceeds will help keep the Brown House Event Center open and available for private rentals as well as public guided tours held from noon to 2 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month.
“While this event is not offered as a major fundraiser, it helps expose the house to people as the foundation originators planned,” she added. “We want the house to be a cultural community treasure and a place to tell Stayton’s history to locals and visitors alike.”
The Brown House is available to rent for private events, including weddings, bridal and baby showers, business meetings, ceremonies and potlucks. “Our annual Ghost Tour is made possible by Santiam Heritage Foundation and our partners and begins at the house, since it was Stayton’s first hospital!” Stone said.
“Planning and executing events will require more people than we currently have available. Volunteers are needed and always very welcome!”
To help plan events or with ongoing maintenance of the house and/or grounds, contact the Foundation at cmbrownhouse@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.brownhouse.org or call 503-769-8860. Monetary donations are also welcomed and are tax deductible.
