Canby is “Going Big” for Historic Preservation Month

During the pandemic, Canby’s recognition of Historic Preservation Month waned. With the pandemic restrictions in the rearview mirror, this felt like the right time to bring it back to life in a big way. As fate would have it, the city had received a Certified Local Government Grant and was planning to hire a consultant to update the 2009 reconnaissance level survey (RLS) of the original townsite, our downtown. The scheduled completion was end of April, a perfect start for a “Go Big” effort. 

Photo provided by City of Canby.

“Going Big” meant this could not be one-dimensional, we needed multiple, diverse outreach efforts, which requires collaboration. First to jump on board was Canby Economic Development Department’s Tyler Nizer who was the lead for the RLS project.  Next, Belinda Goody, our Chamber of Commerce Director, joined in, suggesting that we use the May Chamber Luncheon for a presentation on historic preservation. Given that the findings and recommendations from the RLS would be available to share, this was a perfect match.

While the Chamber Lunch would reach many of our business owners, we needed something that would engage residents who might not normally attend a chamber event. I contacted Michael Schmeer of the Oak Lodge History Detectives about doing one of his workshops on Discovering the History of Your Home. He said yes. Marisa Ely, Canby Library Director and Nora Clark, President of the Canby Historical Society, decided to co-sponsor the workshop as part of Canby Library’s Adult Programming.  

Photo provided by Canby Historical Society.

Leveraging an existing event, Canby’s First Thursday Night Market, seemed like the perfect way to reach people who would enjoy an evening of food, fun and shopping rather than a workshop or a luncheon. Tyler Nizer, the event coordinator, liked the idea.  As part of the event, there will be historic site walking tours. Canby’s three non-profit heritage organizations, Mark Prairie Historical Society, Friends of Carus School, and Canby Historical Society have been invited to set up booths on the walking tour route to recruit members and solicit donations. Additionally, they will be included in the First Thursday Night Market scavenger hunt, making their booths must-stop-sites for participants. Finally, the evening will include placement of a time capsule in the City Arch and another on the grounds of the city’s most important historic site and a 2023 DeMuro Award Winner, Holly Street City Hall. Canby Area Beautification is coordinating the latter placement, which will include a tree planting and plaque. 

Photo provided by Canby Historical Society.

The City Council proclamation, the kick-off event, will be on May 1. In addition to the proclamation, the council will recognize the Canby Historical Society volunteer of the year, Board Treasurer Dawn Eleen, and the winner of the biannual Oregon Heritage Excellence Award for an individual, Peggy Sigler, Volunteer Project Manager for the Mark Prairie School Restoration, and a veteran of three decades of city, county, regional and state heritage work.

The collaboration of seven Canby organizations means our community will “Go Big” for the 2024 Historic Preservation Month.