BUILDING HISTORICAL HEALTH WITH AN ‘EXPERIENCE’

The good doctor says ‘historical health’ is important for local and national well-being.

The downside: you may discover things are not as you think they are.

The upside: you may discover you’re better than you think.

I call it Win-Win. Why?

Think of the last time you walked through a museum exhibit, found something that excited you enough to seek more information from a library, and walked out with a souvenir from the museum store.

Still thinking about it? Keep going. If you don’t remember the experience, check in for an update.

Start with a place that ‘preserves our state’s history and makes it accessible to everyone in ways that advance knowledge and inspire curiosity about all the people, places, and events that have shaped Oregon.’

The Oregon Historical Society is that place.

Once you feel the pull of history, the sweep of time, (and you will), you’ll need something more to expand that feeling.

You need an experience with history moment.

This is when you call the Oregon Historical Society for a tour of THE VAULT.

The what, you ask? Museum Director Nicole Yasuhara explains.

 

Every Day History

When you arrive at The Vault after scheduling a tour you’ll meet history people like Sarah Taylor.

Probably not the people of history like Dr. John McLoughlin, but you’ll feel him.

He won’t be walking through that door, but history professionals will.

These are the people who dedicate their education and career to advancing history, making it more accessible, more interesting, and carring a meaningful message to visitors.

The Vault is a big box unlike any other with over 100,00 sq ft of library, objects large and small, photographs, and film preservation.

 

 

In a word, it’s breathtaking, which is a common side effect of good historical health.

 

 

The big question? How is this possible?

 

 

For practical purposes it’s all about pallets, pallet jacks, and this baby, the lift truck.

 

 

Historically speaking, it’s about people who care about the historical process.

Add them together, the historical material, the gear, and the people, and you get The Vault.

Take a guided tour and you may catch the ‘history bug.’

 

 

I caught the bug when I moved back to Oregon in 1980.

I grew up in North Bend, a few miles south of Reedsport where Hwy 38 connects Hwy 101 to I-5.

As a kid I looked for the Empire State Building in Empire, Oregon. Where could it be hiding? It must be smaller than it looked on TV.

As an adult I found it in NYC where it had always been.

After a few years away I came back with the idea of doing something only done in Oregon.

Why? Because I could have stayed in NY, or moved anywhere else at the time.

But I chose Oregon. I’d worked in an Oregon sawmill and an Oregon salmon cannery during high school summers.

I was a medic in the Army. In New York I was a bond trade analyst for E.F. Hutton.

Once here, I started as a museum guard and worked my way up.

Along the way I finished my college degree. In history.

Did I find my purpose? Yes, I did.

Now I’d like to encourage millennials to find their purpose in history, to catch the bug, to know more than they think they need to know.

Is that asking too much? Noooo.

 

PS:

Young people, impress your friends and be the first in your group to carry your own Oregon Historical Society membership card.

Attend events and speak up.

 

PSS

Today we hear about young people, Gen X, millennials, Gen Z, who live online, in isolation, feeling like there’s no place to go for a break in the bleakness.

Everyone feels the same way now and then, which isn’t to diminish the moment, but to highlight the step toward a different awareness when you join history people with so much in common.

 

Will that cure loneliness? It won’t make it any worse.

A reminder from the museum staff:

 

History is ever evolving:

Bookmark the OHS events page for information about all the ways you can continue your journey of learning and discovery:

https://www.ohs.org/events/

Keep learning through the Oregon Encyclopedia (receiving nearly 1 million visits a year): 

• M & A Shogren Sisters – The height of Haute Couture in 1890s Portland. The seamstresses behind the gorgeous bodice coat Kerry shared with us. 

• Black People in Oregon – the article Kerry said should be required reading for all Oregonians.

Digital Collections Portal:

• William Finley – Nature photographs displayed at the vault in the meeting room. (Members at the Steward Level ($500+) and above receive a complimentary photograph print of their choosing. And you can order historic prints from our collection any time) 

Feeling better? Of course you are.