Salem History Matters

Salem is experiencing a downtown revival!  The owner of the Roth/McGilchrist Buildings, Gayle Caldarazzo-Doty joins us to share her experience of undertaking a complete building renovation of not one, but two adjacent buildings in the Salem Downtown National Historic District.

We're learning something new about two of Salem's long-time historic treasures: Bush House Museum and Deepwood Museum & Gardens.  Curator/managers Ross Sutherland and Sarah Pearson discuss the unique elements of each property and give us a glimpse of upcoming events that will interest both residents and visitors.  We'll also hear about one of the benefits of Salem being designated an All-Star Community.

What does it take to relocate a house to another site?  Guests Keith and Sarah Chilcote have become old hands at relocating houses, even creating a mini-neighborhood.  They share their stories, challenges and rewards of this ultimate preservation method.

We are joined by Joy Sears, the tax incentive program specialist and restoration technical expert with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), who discusses the special programs and benefits available to owners of historic buildings.  We'll also chat about what's happening in historic preservation in Salem.

Today's show features a conversation with Hazel Patton, long-time historic preservationist and community activist in Salem. Among other things, Hazel and Deb will discuss the reconstruction of the Oregon State Hospital Complex and its nomination as a National Register Historic District. We'll also get the scoop on the new Museum of Mental Health located there.

Join us as we discuss historic districts, both the process and reasons why this could be beneficial to a neighborhood, its residents, and the city. Today's guests are Jeanne Boatwright and Lola Hackett, residents of the Grant neighborhood area and participants in the Salem Heritage Communities program, who share their experiences and hopes for the future of their neighborhood.

Learn about a new City of Salem program, Salem Heritage Neighborhoods, designed to help neighborhoods recognize and share their historic resources and increase their sense of community. Special guest Sam Skillern, co-chair of Grant Neighborhood Association, the first named Heritage Neighborhood, will share with us how this once-blighted neighborhood has benefited from this new program. We debut a recurring segment, Restoration Tips, information for owners of historic properties.

Deb and Kimberli discuss the 2015 work plan for the Salem Historic Landmarks Commission and how they hope to achieve these objectives. Also, we debut a new segment, Spotlight on History, with information about the Dome Building in the Oregon State Hospital National Register Historic District.

Today's show features Lynn Mack, expert on West Salem history and co-author of the book Images of America: West Salem. Lynn and Deb will discuss the story of the originally independent city of West Salem and its impact on the local area and the Willamette Valley.

Join Deb and Kimberli as they share what's going on in Salem's Grant Neighborhood, the first designated Salem Heritage Community. They are joined by UO Professor and author Thomas Hubka who talks about the eras of homebuilding in Salem and their representative styles. Professor Hubka also serves as the advisor for two Willamette University interns who are developing an architectural guide for this neighborhood.