Guest Author | 04/26/2024 | Archived

Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month in Benton County

Did you know that Corvallis was originally called Marysville? It was changed in 1853 to avoid confusion with a California town of the same name. The new name was chosen to represent how people feel about this area - its Latin translation is “Heart of the Valley.” This May, take an adventure to the heart of Willamette Valley to see Corvallis in a new way - by exploring historical sites and activities offered during National Historic Preservation Month.

Benton County Historic Resources Preservation Commission's 2024 theme for celebrating this month is “Trails Through Time,” which includes the often-overlooked narratives of women, queerfolk, and people of color; the forgotten and seldom told story of Oregon's “Trail of Tears;" and more.

Enjoy walks down memory lanes with guided tours of historic sections of town. Take in the fresh outdoors with a memorial garden or hikes in natural areas while learning their past stories. Make learning about historical places and events an adventure this May.

👉 Download a .pdf schedule of events for Historic Preservation Month.

2024 Historic Preservation Month in Corvallis, Oregon

Corvallis-Area Activities

The Benton County Historic Resources Commission is organizing free tours, events, and activities throughout May and beyond.

April 26, 10:30 a.m.: Building Infrastructure in Benton County at the Corvallis Museum with lecturer William G. Robbins
May 2, 4 p.m.: Alive in the Margins Walking Tour beginning at the Corvallis Museum with tour guide Jema Patterson
May 4, 11 a.m.: Talks on Adair History at the Santiam Christian High School's Maps Room in Adair Village with three Adair Living History board members
May 9, 3:30 p.m.: South Central Park Neighborhood Walking Tour leaving from the Arts Center with tour guide Doug Eaton
May 12, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.: Oregon State University Walking Tour with tour guide Larry Landis (Reservations required, tour limited to 25 people, make reservations by emailing tro2005@gmail.com)
May 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Cemetery Cleaning Workshop at the Kings Valley Cemetery with presenters David Pinyerd and Bernadette Niederer of Historic Preservation Northwest
May 19, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.: Oregon's "Trail of Tears" with presenter Nolan Streitberger, at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
May 20, 6 p.m.: How to Research the History of a House Workshop - If Walls Could Talk, presented by Camron Settlemeier at the Corvallis Museum
May 22, 1 p.m.: Atomic Ranch Walking Tour with tour guide Doug Sackinger, leaving from the corner of NW Lincoln Ave. and NW 15th Street in Corvallis
May 22, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.: Masonic Temple Tour at the Masonic Temple in Corvallis (Reservations required, tour limited to 25 people, email inga.williams@bentoncountyor.gov for reservations)
May 25, 12 p.m.-4 p.m.: Interior Tours of the Under-Restoration Willamette Grange Hall with tour guide Jay Sexton
May 30, 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m.: Owens Farm: Past and Future presented by Jessica McDonald, Greenbelt Land Trust Executive Director, at the Owens Farm
May 30, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.: Historic Preservation Celebration at the LaSells Stewart Center
June 12, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.: Franklin School Neighborhood Trees Walking Tour with tour guide Lyn Larson, leaving from the Franklin School in Corvallis

Albany-Area Activities

This year's Historic Preservation Month also has some events scheduled in Albany. For more information on these events, download the complete schedule of events (.pdf).

May 3, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m.: Preserving Your Family Photos at the Albany Regional Museum with Collections & Exhibits Manager Amy Bozorth
May 7, 6 p.m.: First Avenue History Walking Tour, leaving from Burkhart Square in Albany (Free, with a suggested donation of $5 to benefit the Monteith Historical Society)
May 8, 12 p.m.-1 p.m.: Historic Windows and Doors? Oh My! with Chris Gustafson, owner of Vintage Window Restoration LLC, at the Albany Regional Museum
May 8, 6 p.m.: Second Avenue History Walking Tour, leaving from Burkhart Square in Albany (Free, with a suggested donation of $5 to benefit the Monteith Historical Society)
May 11, 9:30 a.m.: Albany Tweed Ride, leaving from the Natty Dresser in Albany
May 11, 10 a.m.: Historic Albany Streetcar Tour, meeting at the Albany Regional Museum
May 11, 11:30 a.m.: Historic Albany Streetcar Tour, meeting at the Albany Regional Museum
May 11, 12 p.m.-2 p.m.: Cumberland Church 132nd Birthday Celebration and Open House at the Cumberland Church in Albany
May 14, 3 p.m.: SE Young & Son Department Store Building Tour at the Natty Dresser in Albany
May 22, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: History Through Headstone - Historic Linn County Medicine: A Family Pursuit at Riverside Cemetery

Sample More Corvallis-Area History

1. Historic Walking & Driving Tours in Corvallis

College Hill West Historic District Walking Tour - The historic Horace and Nellie Francis House (built ca. 1924), located at 300 Northwest 31st Street in Corvallis, Oregon, United States, is listed as

Explore Corvallis and Benton County and discover our history with a variety of self-guided walking and driving tours!

The tours here will guide you around various areas of Benton County and Corvallis, showcasing historic homes and locations, and offering a little background on each stop. Most of these tours were designed for walking, but can be driven as well - although you might want to bring a friend to help you navigate as you drive.

Find self-guided historic walking and driving tours here.

2. A Historic Look at Corvallis' Second Street, Part 1