Saving History

Historical Societies do wonderful work that very few people appreciate or choose to support financially—consequently many go under or struggle for years—and it is good to hear of one historical society in Oregon that may be saved, though the long-term reliance on government funding is one that should be reexamined, as reported by the Portland Tribune.

An excerpt.

“The 112-year-old nonprofit will put its campaign to create a local “heritage tax district” on hold after the idea failed to win support from Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Gov. Ted Kulongoski, among others.

“At the request of Portland city officials, Kulongoski convened a group to brainstorm new state funding ideas for the society, which operates the Oregon History Museum and research library in downtown Portland. The society’s board voted unanimously April 17 to give state funding options another shot, says George Vogt, executive director. Those options include seeking $1.5 million from the Legislative Emergency Board, which meets in late May, and pursuing other possibilities.

“The society’s board has been laying the groundwork for a local taxing district after its state funding dwindled the past seven years. The 2007 Legislature enacted a law that enabled the formation of local taxing districts for history facilities. Such districts could raise property taxes, upon voter approval, much like library and soil and conservation districts.

“The Oregon Historical Society, which expects its cash reserves to be exhausted by late 2011 or early 2012, had already retained political consultant Liz Kaufman and raised $130,000 for a heritage district ballot measure campaign, Vogt says.”