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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 3, 2018)
Wednesday, January 3, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon HISTORICAL: New group has incorporated as a nonprofit Continued from page 3 also came west on the Oregon Trail in 1852 and settled west of the Cascades. Her love affair with Central Oregon began as a child camping on the Metolius River near Camp Sherman. Since mov- ing to Sisters 14 years ago, she has longed to see the his- tory of the area preserved and shared with Sisters residents and tourists alike. When the five discovered their common desire for a his- tory museum in Sisters, they began seriously exploring the possibility of making it hap- pen. In the last eight months, with the invaluable help of local attorney Roger Nelson, they have become incorpo- rated and secured their 501(c) (3) charitable organization status. Strategic planner Jeff Tryens has helped them for- mulate their initial strategic plan. Preliminary interviews have been conducted with descendants of early Sisters residents like the Leithausers, the Edgingtons, and the Trowbridges. Three of the women have been assisting Kathy Deggendorfer of The Roundhouse Foundation with researching documents of historical significance relat- ing to the recently purchased Pine Meadow Ranch and its early beginnings dating back to 1885. Lukens explained the local interest being generated in the early stages of the historical society. “We have found a synergy for this important project in Sisters. The town is growing and changing, and yet our respect for those who have come before us is clear. We need a place for people to see, touch and learn about our community’s past while we consider our future,” she said. “We are very enthusias- tic about and committed to our Three Sisters Historical Society. And we also know for it to be successful, we need many more people 17 – supporters and volunteers who have a love of history and want to share the history of Sisters and the surrounding area with the community, the schools, and the many visi- tors who travel through here,” added Seiple. As the group plans activi- ties for the upcoming year, they are hoping to invite some of the descendants to join them in the Rodeo parade. They are also planning to par- ticipate in the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. We know the pioneer namesakes and their stories as well as the history of those buried in our beloved Camp Polk Cemetery and hope to share that with you. — Karen Swank “We have submitted a special exhibitor application to the Quilt Show for this coming July to display two old quilts that were origi- nally pieced and quilted by local women as gifts — one from 1913, as a birthday gift to another quilter, and one from 1935 as a gift for a new baby,” reported Seiple, the project manager for that endeavor. “Both of these quilts are crazy-style quilts with embroidery and spe- cial stitching. Some of the same quilters worked on both quilts. Many squares on the quilt are signed by the quil- ter of each square. We know most quilters love old quilts and will want to look at these quilts up close to see the handwork of years gone by.” Swank explained her research into the early fami- lies who settled in the Sisters area. “We have a genealogi- cal interest going in the Three Sisters Historical Society, both with family history files for early pioneers and their relationships docu- mented on Ancestry.com and Findagrave.com.” Through a series of DOT Physicals $ 10 OFF! Valid through 1-31-18 All Your Care providers are offi cially listed on the National Registry of Certifi ed Medical Examiners for DOT physicals! WALK IN OR SCHEDULE YOUR DOT APPOINTMENT TODAY! 541-548-2899 3818 SW 21st Pl. YourCareMedical.com Hwy. 126 to Redmond, two turns and you’re there! (Near fairgrounds) WALK-IN • URGENT CARE• OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE PHOTO PROVIDED A car pulled by horses alongside the historic Hotel Sisters. “pop-up exhibits” around town, the society will share with the public things like the history behind the place names around Sisters – roads named Gist, Fryrear, George Cyrus, Edgington, Perit Huntington, Barclay, Lundgren Mill, and others. The pop-ups will serve as the venue for displays until a permanent location and suffi- cient funds can be found for a museum. “We know the pioneer namesakes and their stories as well as the history of those buried in our beloved Camp Polk Cemetery and hope to share that with you,” Swank mentioned. During the months of February, March and April, a series of three free “Fireside Stories” evenings will be offered by the society. At these events, residents will have the opportunity to hear interesting stories of Sisters’ past, learn more about the historical society — its mis- sion and goals — become supporters, and volunteer to be involved. Lukens summarized for The Nugget one of the main reasons for the group’s inter- est in establishing the histori- cal society. “We all live in this town which identifies deeply with its history; the downtown architecture, the schools’ Americana Project and his- tory curriculum, the quilt show, the rodeo, and the folk festival. All are thriving due to a fundamental respect for and delight in American tra- ditions. And yet, Sisters has no museum.” Swank pointed out that not only will the historical soci- ety pay homage to the early pioneers. “We will continue to honor those who made Sisters what it is today.” Starting this month, there will be a recurring feature in The Nugget called “Did You Know?” in which snippets of history will be shared to engage the community with Sisters’ past. Contact Three Sisters Historical Society president Sue Stafford at threesisters historicalsociety@gmail. com.
