Philomath Middle School history projects

We are pleased to host student history projects from Philomath Middle School. Many of Becky Goslow's social studies students visited our museum to do research about people and places around Philomath and Corvallis and the results are wonderful! Please stop by the museum to see what's new, including the student history projects! Projects exhibited include:

• Harris Covered Bridge by Anna Rose Petersen
• Peak, Oregon by Brooke Wendland
• W.S. Walker by Josephine York
• Phil-o-rink by Sage Forson
• Flossie Overman by katelynn Thrall
• Our Old House by Dustin Berry
• The Church of Latter-Day Saints by lauren Hindman
• Oregon State University by Jessica Hardenburger
• Peace Lutheran Church by Courtney Croy
• The Henkle Building by Simone Newell
• The Sheak House by Haylee Grimmer
• Calvin Presbyterian Church by Jordan Nelson
• The History of Benton County Historical Society by Madeline Lehman
• My Abode by Althea Hinds-Cook
  

2009 Holidays

BCHS was proud to host the annual Philomath Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It was seasonably cold that evening, but our camaraderie kept us warm and not all of the student musicians froze to their instruments! The music was wonderful, Santa's cheer was contagious, and the community seemed to enjoy the cookies and new "Can You Hear Me? Now?" exhibition in the museum.

Can You Hear Me? Now? exhibition

BCHS recently opened a new exhibition in the first floor gallery called "Can You Hear Me? Now?" The exhibition, which features musical instruments from the American Civil War and the DeMoss Lyric Bards, radios, televisions, telephones, flutes from around the world, and recording & playback devices, will be open for one year. Come see how technology has changed in the past 100 years, and try some of the interactive exhibitions, including a telephone "party line", an oscilloscope, a morse code telegraph, and and mp3 player programmed with many sounds that represent artifacts and eras presented throughout the gallery. More online at www.bentoncountymuseum.org/exhibitions/sound.

Donations Beautify Museum Grounds

Thanks to Gene Newcomb and The Bark Place for their generous donations to beautify the Museum gardens.

Mr. Newcomb donated $100 to purchase bark mulch, and Development Director, Ron Thiesen, solicited free installation from The Bark Place. The bark was blown in this afternoon!

The tree pictured here is one of four Japanese Maples donated by Dick Bryant. The trees have been planted in the "bump outs" that were constructed during the hardscape project. Dick Bryant, local architect, propagates his own trees. Thanks to all for your generous gifts to the Museum!

Museum Open November 27-28, 2009

Family and friends visiting for the holidays ? Bring them to the Benton County Museum in Philomath to see the "Horner Homecoming" exhibition before it closes at 4:30 pm on November 28th.

Unique and interesting items like this iron are on display, but only for a few more days!

You'll also want to check out the Museum store for unique gifts and books. Members receive a 10% discount.

For more information go to www.bentoncountymuseum.org

Oregon Heritage Commission to meet in Philomath

The next quarterly meeting of the Oregon Heritage Commission is scheduled to meet in Corvallis and Philomath on Monday, November 2, 2009. The commisssioners will visit Oregon State University's Valley Library in the morning for a tour and overview of digital collections and initiatives, the Oregon Multicultural Archives, and the Northwest Digital Archives. James Fox of the University of Oregon will also speak abou the Envisioning Oregon project.

The commissioners will travel to Philomath for lunch, their regular meeting, and a tour of the Benton County Historical Museum's Collection Care Facility. Benton County Commisssioner Jay Dixon will welcome the commissioners at 1:00 pm. The public is invited to attend the afternoon meeting.

Rails Installed in Museum Storage Building

In August, 2009, the Benton County Historical Society & Museum received $18,000 from the Oregon Cultural Trust to install rails in the Collections Care Facility. SpaceSaver Specialists, Inc. finished installation yesterday. This is an important first step to achieve our goal to install compacting shelving in this area of the storeroom for artifacts. Almost 75% of the collection still needs proper shelving. The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation will grant the Society $25,000 toward the purchase of shelving units if $150,000 can be raised.