Two Restore Oregon staff members are currently in Washington D.C. for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s PastForward national preservation conference, the first in-person conference offered since the pandemic. And we are taking full advantage of the conference’s D.C. location to advance our federal legislative advocacy forward.

While we are meeting with members and staff of the Oregon Congressional delegation, would you please consider lending your advocacy support to help show that historic preservation matters to Oregonians by contacting your member of Congress?

The two most important policies we are working on in conjunction with the National Trust, Preservation Action, and other statewide preservation organizations include:

1. Federal Historic Tax Credits – each chamber has introduced a bill to improve the federal tax credit program. Called “HTC-GO,” this legislation is meant to improve the existing program to make it more accessible to smaller projects (meaning greater impact potential to all communities in Oregon), easier for nonprofits to take advantage of (especially affordable housing development groups), and more more appealing to developers by increasing the value of the credit. What’s not to like about that? Restore Oregon is a member of Preservation Action, which has lots of good information to share about this effort.

Action Needed Now: Please encourage your Member of Congress to co-sponsor the bipartisan Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (H.R. 1785, S. 639) and look for opportunities to include these provisions in future tax legislation. Representative Earl Blumenauer co-introduced HR 1784 as he chairs the Preservation Caucus, but no other Members have signed on yet.Let’s try to change that! 

1. Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) - this is what funds historic preservation at the federal level! Please explore this informational page developed by the National Trust to see how important it is to accomplish two things this year:
   1. Reauthorize the program 
   2. Appropriate funding to the program in the annual budgeting process.

And, here’s a recent update from Shaw Sprague, VP of Government Relations at the National Trust for Historic Preservation: 

Despite the legislative challenges that lie ahead, now is a good time to demonstrate how coming together to preserve our local histories benefits us all. There is never a bad time to deliver the message that federal support of efforts to preserve history is having a positive impact in your communities. By mid-November Congress will need to act to fund the government, and preservationists will have a great opportunity to make an impact. We hope you’ll join us!

Authorization for the Historic Preservation Fund Expires

On September 30, the Congressional authorization for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) expired without a renewal or extension.

The HPF is the principal funding source to implement the nation’s historic preservation programs and has enjoyed bipartisan support on Capitol Hill since its inception over four decades ago.

In addition to requiring an annual appropriation for its funding, the HPF also needs to be reauthorized every five to seven years.

The longer the HPF remains unauthorized, the more uncertainty it causes for everyone that relies on this funding.

It also undermines the longstanding commitment of Congress to the preservation of our historic resources.

The Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3350) would reauthorize the HPF for ten years and increase its authorization from $150 to $250 million annually.

Enacting this legislation will significantly enhance the protection of our nation’s historic resources, ensuring they remain vibrant for communities throughout the country well into the future. 

Action Needed Now: Take action now by encouraging your members of Congress to cosponsor this legislation today! 

The Albina Preservation Initiative was launched earlier this year to help bridge the gap between traditional historic preservation practices and the lived experiences of BIPOC communities to create a safe space for difficult discussions and to document and share Black preservation methods and stories, establishing a path forward for inclusive preservation statewide.

This hands-on initiative has thus far included our Urban Racial Justice Field School, hosted in June by Clatsop Community College’s (CCC) Historic Preservation & Restoration Program at the Mayo House in Northeast Portland, and our Albina House History Research Workshop, held in August at the Architectural Heritage Center. The field school offering drew ten participants from around the state (with scholarships for Albina district residents) who spent five days under the tutelage of CCC instructors John Goodenberger and Ryan Prochaska, surveying and documenting the condition of the Mayo House, then learning how to repair and reglaze damaged historic windows. The August research workshop August shared best practices for researching the history of historic buildings and attracted over a dozen participants, ten of whom agreed to to assist the Albina Preservation Initiative with researching historic resources in Albina.

Funding for this project was made possible from generous grant from the Mellon Foundation (Just Futures Initiative) for the Pacific Northwest Just Futures Institute for Racial and Climate Justice, University of Oregon.

In 2020, as part of our Oregon’s Most Endangered Places program, Restore Oregon joined forces with Oregon Heritage to bring an unprecedented infusion of over $615,000 in grants to eight rural historic theaters in Oregon. Restore Oregon has acted as a technical consultant for these projects, many of which were affected by pandemic shutdowns, inflation, and supply chain disruptions. Although these obstacles prolonged many project timelines, an enormous amount of progress has been made and we reported on the first four theaters to complete their grants last year. The final four projects are now complete, and the grant program has successfully wrapped!

Restore Oregon provided assistance with researching eligibility determinations for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and helped with the application process. Throughout the program, we acted as a technical consultant for theater owners and operators sharing cost-free project support and our network of resources. We are inspired by the dedication of all eight grant recipients to see these projects through several difficult years as part of their commitment to contributing to the vibrancy of rural communities. Thank you for all your hard work!

Dallas Cinema - Dallas

The Dallas Cinema building (formerly Fox Theatre), constructed in the 1890s as a furniture store, is unique in that it is a conversion theater – a modified commercial storefront that was converted in 1948 to accommodate the rise in movie attendance. The building’s postwar design and dramatic neon marquee lighting evoked Hollywood glamor while showcasing the latest in movie-viewing technology and catered to movie-goer comfort with concessions, comfortable seating, and air-conditioned interiors. Its prime location made it both an economic anchor for downtown businesses and a social anchor for Dallas residents.

The 2020 grant from Oregon Heritage helped fund roof repairs, an updated HVAC system, marquee and box office repairs, exterior masonry/brick repainting, and paint sealant on exterior walls. Additionally, the grant helped to prepare the building to accommodate a mural in the near future. “The Dallas Cinema contributes to the vibrancy of the downtown not just culturally, but socially and economically as well,” said Tyler Ferrari, Economic Development Specialist with the Dallas Downtown Association.

As part of the 2020 Oregon Heritage grant, the Dallas Cinema was listed in the NRHP, further cementing its importance in downtown Dallas. Rebecca Ziegler, a historic preservation consultant and former Restore Oregon Board President authored the nomination and ushered it through the process of being listed as one of the state’s longest continuously operated movie theaters.

Rex Theater - Vale

As with the Dallas Cinema, Rebecca Ziegler, researched the history and significance of the Rex Theater and prepared its NRHP nomination as one facet of its Oregon Heritage grant-funded work.

The Rex opened in 1926 during what was known as the Golden Age of films. A two-story Art Deco building, it features about 150 seats on the ground floor, and another 50 in the balcony. A lighted marquee was added in 1931.

Despite its last film playing in 2006, the Rex has continued as a venue for events serving Vale and its surrounding communities. The property is owned by Mike McLaughlin, former mayor of Vale, and Sandijean Fuson, an attorney and director of the Drexel Foundation. Mike and Sandijean received a grant award of $90,000 and used it to help fund over $110,000 in renovations, including restoration of the 1931 marquee to lighted condition, replacing a coal furnace with an energy efficient HVAC system, and painting the exterior.

Cameo Theatre - Newberg

The Cameo Theatre’s Streamline Moderne architecture is a specific type of Art Deco design exemplified by curving walls and long, horizontal lines. Designed by architects Day W. Hilborn and Margaret Goodin Fritsch, this single-screen movie theater first opened in 1937 under the name Art Deco Cameo. Ted Francis, owner of a competitor theater, bought the Cameo in 1937. It has continued operating as a theater ever since, and as Newberg’s oldest remaining motion picture venue, its enduring presence has contributed to the downtown economy as a source for entertainment and community vitality.

In 2018, the Cameo was listed in the NRHP for its architectural significance and representation of recreation and culture in the early 20th century. Also significant is its status as Newberg’s first theater built with a sound system to accommodate talking pictures.

Owner Brian Francis, grandson of Ted Francis, worked with the Newberg Downtown Coalition to apply for and receive its Oregon Heritage grant to update seats and acoustical drapes in the auditorium, and repair exterior lighting on the marquee. In July 2023, the badly deteriorated 1965 Heywood Wakefield seating was removed and replaced with new reclining seats that capture the Art Deco/Streamline Moderne character of the theater. The front seven rows of original 1937 seats on each of the side aisles remain.

Alger Theatre - Lakeview

In early 1940, the owners of Lakeview’s circa 1930 Marius Theater announced that construction of a new theater would soon begin, with the intention of playing first run films. Architect J.W. DeYoung designed a “modernistic” theater in the Art Deco style that integrated new technology, art, and services. Everything from the ticket window, bathroom and lounges, to the light fixtures and concessions counter, brought Art Deco style to Lakeview’s downtown, forming a visual centerpiece to downtown.

With the closure of the Marius in the 1960s, and the Circle J M Drive-in in 1981, the Alger became the only theater in town. However, it closed for business in March 2014 with its owners citing that, in an era of on-demand movies, rising costs, and the lack of a digital projector, the Alger could not be profitable. Shortly thereafter, a group of citizens formed the Lakeview Community Partnership (LCP), a nonprofit with the goal of revitalizing Lakeview’s downtown. Knowing the Alger’s rehabilitation and reopening would provide a critical boon to the economic health of rural Lakeview, fundraising efforts took off immediately.

In April 2018, an anonymous donor purchased the building and gave LCP a one-year lease for $1 so they could fundraise to purchase the building. In September 2019, LCP completed escrow after raising $120k, receiving $111,685 from an Oregon Main Street grant awarded by Oregon Heritage and raising the remaining $47,865 themselves.

The 2020 Oregon Heritage grant helped LCP improve interior lighting, replace the building’s rear fire doors (drastically improving egress during an emergency), and restore its lighted marquee, set to be installed this fall. It also funded the Alger’s nomination to the NRHP, which was initially drafted by Restore Oregon staff. The Alger Theatre will be listed for its association with the Golden Age of Film and for its distinction as the only surviving example of Art Deco style architecture of its type in Lake County.

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While this grant program is now complete, Restore Oregon remains committed to providing assistance to historic theater owners and to offering project support to all rural Oregonians.
Head to www.restoreoregon.org to donate in support of our work and to check out our recently launched Rural Resources Hub!

Growing up there were many shows flashing on the screen to choose from, but no other show could quite capture my attention like Curious George. My parents would attempt to entice me with something else, but I could not find another character that I related to as much as a mischievous little monkey named George. My parents were fascinated that I was obsessed with a monkey and a man in a yellow hat, but they didn’t look beyond the colorful animation and the weird music. While Curious George, a beloved children's character created by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey, may seem insignificant to most, it’s a great analogy for how I approach life: growth isn’t a linear process and failure is key in that.

In many ways, my perspective on learning mirrors the misadventures of a this influential cartoon character. As a preschooler, I was constantly asking my mom questions like “How do clouds form?” and “Why can fish breathe underwater and we can’t?” Curious George just didn’t accept an explanation about how something worked, he went out and experienced it for himself. The show mirrored my own sense of curiosity, adventure, and love for nature. I would often watch a show about bugs and how they live, then run to my backyard and search under every rock to find them. I spent much of my early childhood outside; sprinting through my backyard, tangled hair whipping behind me, picking all the different types of leaves I could find from my garden.

As a younger child, I struggled a bit in school, finding it difficult to focus in the classroom. Thankfully, my elementary and middle schools’ curriculum focused on the using the scientific method, where teachers guide students through the practice of inquiry and discovery to promote curiosity and connection. Instead of learning through textbooks, teachers asked questions and invited students to use what we already knew about a topic to construct new ideas. We would then test those ideas through hands-on experiences to further our critical thinking skills. From going on field trips to nearby lakes to researching how gravity works in space, I thrived looking at the world through a curious lens. Scanning through the cold water searching for the camouflaged caddisflies and recording how many I found with my peers were some of my favorite school memories. I discovered that I do best when I can collaborate with my peers to achieve a common goal. I loved learning about the world in a way that allowed me to be creative and contribute my opinions. I was inspired by this way of learning and still am today.

This learning environment made me feel free to make mistakes. Education can be a difficult thing to grasp, but seeing how George made mistakes in the learning process made me feel comfortable to not get it right the first time. Viewing the pursuit of knowledge as a series of attempts and failures has helped me have an optimistic view of education and the challenges I’ve faced. George has shown me that the world is full of wonders waiting to be discovered, and that, like George, I can be an agent of curiosity and change. As I grew up, I learned that curiosity was not just a fleeting emotion but a driving force for discovery and personal growth.

Five years later, Restore Oregon accepted a donation of the carousel from its former owners, and has been hard at work ever since, developing and testing repair and repainting protocols to guide future restoration, while also seeking a new carousel home and steward.

The quest to find a worthy custodian for this cherished piece of Oregon’s cultural history has been a lengthy one, spanning nearly six years and one worldwide pandemic. Earlier this year, communities across Oregon submitted heartfelt proposals, each a testament to the carousel's significance in the hearts of Pacific Northwesterners. However, one proposal shone particularly brightly. The National Neon Sign Museum shared a vision for the carousel that included preservation and celebration of the carousel’s artistry and history, as well as amazing opportunities for education, tourism, and economic development in The Dalles downtown business core, and the Columbia River Gorge at large.

"The Jantzen Beach Carousel is an integral part of Oregon's cultural heritage, and we are delighted to place its guardianship in the capable hands of the National Neon Sign Museum," said Nicole Possert, Executive Director of Restore Oregon. "The National Neon Sign Museum's strong commitment to preserving and promoting the historical, social, and cultural relevance of vintage signage - and their previous preservation success in restoring the historic Elks Lodge which houses their collection - gives us every confidence that the carousel will thrive under their stewardship, allowing this beloved hand-carved gem to continue to inspire wonder and joy in Oregonians and visitors to Oregon for generations to come."

The National Neon Sign Museum provides visitors with a luminously immersive experience that celebrates the artistry and allure of neon signs and educates visitors about the significant role neon signs played in American history. Museum founders David and Kirsten Benko stand poised to welcome this historic attraction to their institution, which is currently home to more than 20,000 square feet of electrified signage, ephemera, and interactive displays, dating from the late 1800s through the 1960s. 

“Once a dispersion point where entrepreneurs, innovators, and adventurers either settled down or departed from to embark upon a new life, The Dalles has long connected people from east to west. We have been delighted to help continue that spirit of connection, first with the creation of the National Neon Sign Museum, and now by welcoming the historic Jantzen Beach Carousel to our museum campus. Both neon signs and carousels are industrial works of art; and just as signs were meant to occupy prominent spots on Main Street where they would be visible to all, we strongly believe the carousel should enjoy a location of prominence. We cannot wait to restore this century-old masterpiece, and provide it with a dazzling new home in The Dalles' historic downtown business district. The Jantzen Beach Carousel is both an Oregon treasure and a national treasure, and we are eager to work with our community, and industry experts, to bring this one-of-a-kind treasure back to life as a major West Coast attraction,” said David Benko, founder and executive director of the National Neon Sign Museum.

Added Kirsten Benko, the museum’s Director of Education, ”As a teacher, I work with young people both in and out of our schools. I believe the carousel offers an encouraging visual that provides hope, which is necessary in today's educational landscape. Restoration, creativity, and history lend themselves visually to supporting students' understanding that all things, physical and material, have the capacity to be renewed. This project will undoubtedly provide many opportunities for students to be involved, learn, engage, discuss, collaborate, critically think, and have fun while considering a number of topics related to restoration. While the carousel's ultimate purpose is entertainment, I believe its restoration will provide an opportunity for people of all ages who are passionate about history, art, and industry to come together as a family, in support of a shared goal, knowing that their work will inspire joy in everyone who visits the carousel.”

Partnership with the National Neon Sign Museum achieves both of Restore Oregon’s original goals for the carousel: to ensure its long-term survival, and to secure a viable new home and steward for it. Now, under the care of the National Neon Sign Museum, and guided by Restore Oregon’s preservation roadmap for restoration, the carousel is poised to return more beautifully and brightly than ever! 

“After thoroughly vetting strong proposals from around the state, it was clear that in addition to meeting our board’s stringent site criteria, the National Neon Sign Museum shares many of Restore Oregon’s guiding principles and goals,” said Stephanie Brown, Restore Oregon’s Director of Carousel Planning and Education. “Both organizations value the carousel’s unique history and artistry, both are committed to the carousel’s restoration and reactivation, and both want to ensure that the carousel remains accessible and affordable to Oregon’s families and visitors.”

The National Neon Sign Museum is well equipped to secure credentialed volunteers to assist with the restoration of the carousel’s herd of 82 horses. For example, in August 2022, the museum organized and managed the Northwest Muralfest West Coast Walldog event, a project three years in the making. Planning included historical research as well as identifying locations for murals, producing renderings to guide the painting of the murals, and matching skilled artists with renderings that fit their unique artistic styles. Museum leaders also recruited community members to help host the production. The resulting four-day event attracted more than 300 national and international professional painters from around the world, who, with the exception of the lead artists who received stipends, came at their own expense, to offer painting services for the creation of 15 large murals. The National Neon Sign Museum served as event headquarters, with David Benko, Executive Director of the National Neon Sign Museum, serving as project lead. Volunteers from all the major civic organizations in The Dalles, as well as many local business operators and community supporters contributed time, funding, housing, food, and resources during the muralfest. 

“We intend to use a similar model to the Walldogs Muralfest to facilitate the painting of the Jantzen Beach Carousel horses,” said David Benko. “We have no doubt that the repainting of the carousel here will garner similar passion and attention.” 

The carousel’s wooden elements, including horses, panels, and decorative wooden elements,  will be restored onsite in The National Neon Sign Museum’s new education center, which features three classrooms, a maker space, two special exhibition galleries (which may also eventually house C.W. Parker ephemera), a working glass plant, and painting and gold leaf facilities. Visitors will have opportunities to watch artisans work on carousel horses in this space, and may also have opportunities to volunteer to assist with restoration efforts.

Historically speaking, neon and early amusement attractions share similar roots. Both neon and carousels enjoyed their heyday in the United States prior to World War II, especially in the 1920s. Likewise, both the carousel and the museum’s collection of neon are elegant displays of beauty and artwork from this time period. Once operating, the carousel – which has over 1,300 lightbulbs of its own - will serve as an anchor to the museum’s early lightbulb display and pre-war neon signs that will be displayed alongside the carousel in its planned glass-fronted pavilion, to be constructed on the empty lot abutting the museum. The new pavilion will showcase the spectacular craftsmanship of the carousel and complement the historic architecture of the museum’s existing building, a former Elks Lodge which is a contributing structure in The Dalles Commercial Historic District District. The National Neon Sign Museum envisions the carousel becoming an integral attraction in The Dalles, supporting the ongoing efforts of The Dalles Chamber of Commerce and The Dalles Main Street program.

Restore Oregon and the National Neon Sign Museum believe the carousel has the potential to be both a downtown anchor and a strong economic development multiplier for the City of The Dalles by creating jobs during the restoration and construction phases, and once operational, by making a long term impact, both in terms of tourism and increased quality of life for residents of The Dalles. They are not alone in this belief.

“It is our honor and privilege that The Dalles has been selected as the new home for the Jantzen Beach Carousel. The National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles will be the perfect location for this treasured piece of Pacific Northwest history. Our entire community and those beyond will embrace the carousel’s history and craftsmanship as we celebrate its full restoration and, eventually, its arrival as a beloved attraction once again,” said Richard Mays, Mayor of The Dalles.

Added J. Chris Zukin, Board President of The Dalles Main Street, “The Dalles Main Street is excited to see the historic Jantzen Beach Carousel come home to The Dalles. The carousel will be a powerful magnet and will bring people to The Dalles from all over the world. The National Neon Sign Museum is the perfect setting for the carousel to be located, and we look forward to working with the entire community to restore and enjoy this treasure.”

"The National Neon Sign Museum’s unique vision and twin passions for preservation and education make them the perfect custodians for the beloved Jantzen Beach Carousel,” said Rachel Browning, Board President of Restore Oregon. “We are confident that under their careful watch, the carousel will enjoy a long and very bright future.”

Restore Oregon recognizes that it takes a village to rehome a historic carousel, and would like to acknowledge those that have served as partners, friends and supporters during this multi-year effort, including the members of our Jantzen Beach Blue Ribbon Committee, Gensler, SERA, PLACE, KPFF Consulting Engineers, P&C Construction, Kimco, Historic Carousels Inc., and Weinstein PR, whose generous donations of in-kind professional services demonstrate the local business community’s commitment to Oregon’s historic place. Additionally, this work has been funded by Harvey and Sandy Platt, Portland Diamond Project, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Kinsman Foundation, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Cultural Trust, National Carousel Association, Juan Young Trust, Schwemm Family Foundation, the Keller Foundation, and an incredibly generous anonymous donor at the Oregon Community Foundation.

Find future updates about the Jantzen Beach Carousel at  www.jantzenbeachcarousel.org and exclusive updates on TAP Network @ NNSM available on iOS App Store or Google Play. Download via the hyperlinks. (Both live on Sept. 12).​​