Columnist Kimberli Fitzgerald, Salem’s historic preservation officer, dives into the history of local turkey-promoting events, and the surprisingly scandalous history of the Turkey Trot dance.
Tag: SALEM HISTORY
COLUMN: The Depression-era art center that held Salem’s first art fairs
Ahead of Salem’s Art Fair, columnist Kimberli Fitzgerald, Salem’s historic preservation officer, researched the history of the event. She found Salem had community art center in the 1930s and 1940s funded by New Deal programs.
Volunteers breathe life into rural farmstead sharing three generations of Polk County history
Volunteers at the Brunk Farmstead have spent months meandering their way through a historical treasure hunt. Christy Short, the new head docent of the museum just outside West Salem, has lined up some of her favorite finds on the mantle of the kitchen’s fireplace. She picked up a cylindrical container,[Read More…]
Salem history moment: Who was the girl on the train to open the railroad bridge?
Andy Zimmerman of Salem’s Historic Landmark Commission tells the story behind the 1913 opening of the railroad bridge across the Willamette River.
A grape, a contest and a grandmother’s legacy: how the governor’s home got its name
As Mahonia Hall turns 100 this year, Salem Reporter caught up with Eric Johnson, who won the contest to name the residence in 1988.
Salem artifact of the month: Burnett’s hair Cocoaine
Salem’s city archaeologist, Kimberli Fitzgerald, delves into the history of a century-old bottle of hair tonic found during a downtown sidewalk repair in Salem.
Salem history moment: the case of the mistaken school identity
A historic photo in a city collection labeled as the Eola School turned out to be an early image of Brush College instead, Kimberli Fitzgerald writes.
Salem history moment: moving and preserving Jason Lee’s house
As the city of Salem goes through its historic Ben Maxwell photo collection, Kimberli Fitzgerald, Salem’s historic preservation officer, is reviewing the text accompanying photos and sharing her findings with readers.
Salem history moment: a mystery parade in 1886
As the city of Salem goes through its historic Ben Maxwell photo collection, Kimberli Fitzgerald, Salem’s historic preservation officer, is reviewing the text accompanying photos and sharing her findings with readers.
Juneteenth history walk to highlight contributions of Bayless family
A free event June 19 will showcase the story of one of Salem’s original Black families, who escaped slavery to become noted community philanthropists.
