Discover the past during National Historic Preservation Month

In celebration of National Historic Preservation Month, the following events are being held in the Albany area throughout May 2014.

Friday, May 2nd: Upstairs Downtown Loft Tour and Wine Walk. 4-8 p.m. with over 20 wineries participating. Sponsored by the Albany Rotary Club and the Albany Downtown Association. 541-928-2469 or www.albanydowntown.com. Loft Tour is free, there is a $15 fee for wine walk.

Friday, May 2-May 17: Albany Civic Theater presents: “A Little Piece of Heaven,” directed by Loren Dunn. An unlikely relationship is forged in this quirky tourist shop called “A Little Piece of Heaven.” Suspicion and distrust turn to respect and trust in this place where long-lost things are finally found. 111 First Ave. West, downtown Albany. www.albanycivic.org

Saturday, May 3: Old Fashioned Farmers’ Market. Every Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Purchase hand-picked produce, fresh flowers, baked bread, local eggs/meat and mroe at Albany’s old-fashioned farmer’s market. 4th and Ellsworth, City Hall parking lot. www.locallygrown.org.

Saturday, May 3: Linn Genealogical Society presents: Southern Midwest & Ozark Research. 1-3 p.m. Presented by Karen Steely, owner of the Past Matters, Vancouver Wash. Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave., Albany. www.lgsoregon.org. 541-791-1618. Free.

Monday, May 12: Historic Downtown Walking Tour of 1st Ave. Meet at Burkhart Square (Lyon and First Ave) at 5:30 p.m. Learn about Albany’s historic architecture and history. Sponsored by the Monteith Historical Soceity. www.monteithhouse.org. 541-979-9108. Free (donations to MHS welcome).

Tuesday, May 13: Historic Downtown Walking Tour of 2d Ave. Meet at Burkhart Square (Lyon and First Ave) at 5:30 p.m. Learn about Albany’s historic architecture and history. Sponsored by the Monteith Historic Society, www.monteithhouse.org. 541-979-9108. Free (donations to MHS welcome).

Saturday, May 17: Big Pick Up — Monteith House Museum Pre-season Clean Up. 9 a.m.-noon. 518 2d Ave SW. As part of Albany’s Big Pick Up, the Monteith Society will lead volunteers in some clean up and light maintenance of Albany’s oldest home. (541) 928-0911.

Saturday, May 17: The Albany Regional Museum presents History Bites. Brown bag lunch series at noon continues with “Collections Care part II, Photos.” This new series is being offered the third Saturday of each month. Bring your own lunch. Beverages provided for museum members, available for $2 for guests. Regular museum hours are Tues-Fri, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 136 Lyons St. S. www.armuseum.com. (541) 967-7122. Free.

Sunday, May 18: Linn County Historical Society presents: Finding Fremont in Oregon 1943. 2 p.m. Presented by Loren Irving at the Lakeside Center of the Mennonite village. 2180 54th Avenue SE in Albany. (541) 926-4680. This Linn County Historical Society sponsored program is open to the public and free.

Thursday, May 22: Pioneer Bedtime Story at Monteith House. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Circle around the fireplace and listen to a pioneer tale. Light refreshments will be served following the story and the first 20 children will receive a book to take home. Sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Monteith House Museum. 518 2d Ave. Free.

Wednesday, May 28: Preservation Awards Presentation at the Albany City Council meeting. 7:15 p.m. Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin St. SW. 541-917-7560 or e-mail: anne.catlin@cityofalbany.net. Free.

Just outside the Albany area, more historic opportunities await:

Saturday, May 3: Brownsville Farmers Market, Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The market is located at the vacant lot at the corner of Main and Park St. Find fresh produce, flowers and many other items from local producers. 541-466-5709, www.historicbrownsville.com. Free.

Saturday and Sunday, May 3 & 4: Carriage Me Back to 1900. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Linn County Museum Friends and Moyer House. 101 Park Ave., Brownsville, 541-466-3390. www.historicbrownsville.com

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 16-18: 79th Annual Linn County Lamb & Wool Fair. Scio Lamb Fairground, Scio, Ore. 503-394-3389. www.lambfair.org

Saturday, May 17: Boston Mill Society’s Annual Meeting. noon-2 p.m. The Boston/Thompson flouring mill east of Shedd is the oldest water-powered mill in Oregon. Ranger Tom Parsons and BMS Board Members Larry and Roy Thompson will speak. Tours of the mill at noon and 2p.m. Refreshments will be available at noon, followed by the meeting at about 1 p.m. Board member and officer elections will be held. If you are interested in the future of this historic site, plan to attend. The gift shop will be open with T-shirts, tote bags, aprons, art cards, and mugs. Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Stie, 1.5 miles east of Shedd, 541-491-3611. www.bostonmillsociety.org. Free.

Wednesday, May 21: Hear the amazing stories of Teddy Roosevelt’s adventures as a rancher, Rough Rider, and our 26th president. 11:30 a.m. 117 N. Main St., Brownsville Christian Church. Info: contact the Linn County Museum at 541-466-3390. www.historicbrownsville.com