News for those who live, work and play in North Santiam Canyon

Change of use – Brown House funding matched

The Ford Family Foundation has granted $50,000 toward the Santiam Heritage Foundation’s Change of Use process from a residential property to commercial use, portions of which are still pending with the City of Stayton.

“This brings us that much closer to the amount we have to raise to comply with the city’s decision,” said Wendy Stone, SHF president. “However, the majority of bids we obtained earlier this year were good for only 30 or 60 days, and, in today’s market, it’s very likely those companies will have to raise their bids due to the cost of their supplies and/or labor costs increasing.”

Stone said SHF can’t predict the cost of the increases until it gets the city’s final “green light” and contact the companies to schedule the work.

“There is also a Marion County portion of requirements to be met, so we once again come to the community members who have steadfastly supported us throughout the past 20-plus years,” she said. “People who wish to donate to us can do so by mailing a check made out to SHF. ”

Write “Change of Use” on the check and mail to P.O. Box 161, Stayton, OR, 97383. A “donate” button is also available to use on the most recent newsletter or at www.brownhouse.org.

Thanks to two anonymous individuals who each offered up to $5,000 to match donations received between now and Jan. 31, donations sent will be tripled, Stone said. 

SHF will also honor founding member Carol Zolkoske, who passed away on Sept. 15. Zolkoske was the last original member of the organization still serving on the SHS Board of Trustees. 

“She spent countless hours fundraising and serving in any capacity needed,” Stone said. “She loved history and particularly how times influenced people and their lives. She was a humble woman who didn’t think what she did was anything special. It was!”

Zolkoske wrote the organization’s newsletter updating the community on renovation progress of the historic Brown House and often provided historic lectures to educate the community on local history. 

“One of the first events held in the semi-restored, at the time, Brown House was the surprise 50th wedding anniversary party Carol’s granddaughter planned for Carol and her loving husband, Gary,” Stone said. 

“Her SHF family will continue to miss her greatly, but we’ll be guided by her abiding belief in saving and restoring the house that looks like a ‘big beautiful wedding cake’ on Stayton’s prominent corner!” she added. “We are also grateful to the donors who honored Carol by making a donation to SHF in her memory. We have set aside those donations, and plan to identify a memorial project.”

Contributions can still be made to the project by sending a check designating the Carol Zolkoske Memorial Fund to the same post office box. 

The Santiam Heritage Foundation is a qualifying organization for Oregon Cultural Trust’s Tax Credit Program. Donations made to the Brown House that are duplicated to the Cultural Trust are qualified for a state tax credit of up to $500 per person or $1,000 per couple. 

For more information, call 503-769-8860 or email [email protected]. 

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