CELEBRATING THE HISTORY
OF EASTERN OREGON
17
CULTURE & HERITAGE
SEPTEMBER 22�29, 2021
Little White Church shines on Main Street
By Janet Dodson
For Go! Magazine
U
NION — Over the last year and a
half, the Union County Museum has
taken advantage of the 2020 closure
and a quiet current season to update
exhibits and make improvements to the
Little White Church, which is owned by
and located across Main Street from the
museum in Union.
“The outside of the Little White Church
received a thorough going-over,” said Nod
Palmer, president of the Union County Mu-
seum Society. “Old boards were replaced,
several coats of white paint were applied
and we removed the crumbling old cement
steps and replaced them with an ADA-
compliant wooden staircase and ramp. We
also installed a new, modern porch light.”
Palmer said the interior was painted
and the wood fl oor refi nished in recent
years, as well.
The last thing is landscaping, which is
expected to be fi nished in the next couple
of weeks. He said the museum society was
fortunate to fi nd skilled workers in Union to
do all this work. The building is available to
rent for small weddings and events.
Across the street at the museum, new
exhibits include historical photos from the
museum’s collection, an antique cabinet
(new to the museum) displaying china,
and a historical wedding dress display put
together by curator Sharon Hohstadt.
Installed earlier this spring is the
Watchmakers Display, consisting of
clocks from the collection of longtime
board member and licensed watch repair-
man Merle Miller. Miller, who will turn 91
Clocks from the museum’s own collection
are included in the display.
Another improvement this season is a
complete redo of the Union County Mu-
seum’s website, www.ucmuseumoregon.
com, completed by Cindy Edwards, a web
designer and developer who lives in Cove.
ANNUAL MEETING
Janet Dodson/Contributed photo
La Grande watchmaker Merle Miller poses next
to the new Watchmakers Display at the Union
County Museum.
this December, played an important role
during the Korean War as a non-com-
missioned offi cer in charge, making sure
military watches and clocks were in sync
and accurate. He went on to a career as a
watch and clock repairman in La Grande.
The public is invited to the Union
County Museum Society annual meeting
on Friday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m., in the Little
White Church. In addition to reports of the
season and brief nonprofi t business, the
event will include music by the Sheehy
Brothers & Friends.
“Come see the improvements to the
Little White Church,” Palmer said, “and enjoy
traditional music and the chance to visit with
other museum patrons and volunteers.”
Focusing on Elder Abuse in September
• Around 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in community
settings during the past year.
• Rates of elder abuse are high in institutions, such as nursing homes and long-term care
facilities, with 2 in 3 staff reporting that they have
committed abuse in the past year.
• Elder abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and
long-term psychological consequences.
Source: World Health Organization
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Janet Dodson/Contributed photo
Union’s Little White Church, owned by the Union County Museum, is available
for weddings and events.
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Baker City, OR 97814
Explore the ONLINE LIBRARY at www.bakerlib.org
541.523.6419
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