Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month in Albany

HistoricPreservationMonth2016Have you ever wanted to learn the stories behind the fancy tombstones in Albany’s historic graveyards? Want to attend a Centennial celebration and time capsule event? Do you simply love everything vintage, antique or retro? You’re in luck this May–it’s National Historic Preservation Month, and Albany is celebrating in a big way.

Check out these fun history-focused events during May:

 

 

Hidden History Scavenger Hunt Photo Tour, May 1- May 23
Sponsored by the Natty Dresser. Return entries to the ADA by 5:00pm Monday, May 23 to be entered to win a prize. The grand prize winner will be announced at Preservation Awards Presentation May 25th at the City Council meeting, 7:15 p.m., at the Albany City Hall. For more information contact the Albany Downtown Association. (541) 928-2469.

Albany Wine Walk & Upstairs Loft Tour in Historic Downtown Albany, May 6, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Over 20 wineries participating. There is a fee for the Wine Walk. Loft Tour is sponsored by the Albany Landmarks Commission and is free.

National Train Day at Albany Station, May 7th. Hop on Albany’s vintage trolley with Bill Maddy and Albany railroad historians for a narrated ride on historic Albany railways, The Albany Regional Museum & Albany Visitors Association will have info on train travel today & years gone by. (541) 928-0911. Free with concessions available for sale.

Monteith House Museum Pre-Season Clean-up & Open House, May 14th, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. The Monteith Society will lead volunteers in some clean up and light maintenance
of Albany’s oldest home. Open House. (541) 928-0911.

Albany’s Railway History Stop in to see the expanded train station, May 1-31. The train coming to Albany is a special story and how it began the growth of the town. Special Narrated Historic Rail Tours will be given During National Train Day on May 7th, 2016 at 136 Lyon Street S. armuseum.com. (541) 967-7122. Free.

The Albany Regional Museum presents History Bites, May 11th, 12:00, p.m. The Brown bag lunch series continues with Albany’s Historic Preservation Efforts by Landmarks Commission member Bill Ryals. Ryals will be presenting a program about the legacy of Albany architect Charles Burggraf in the design of many Albany and Oregon school buildings. Albany’s Central School, one of Burggraf’s designs, will announce their building’s Centennial celebrations and time capsule event. Bring your own lunch. Beverages and light snacks provided. 136 Lyon Street S. (541) 967-7122. Free.

Historic Downtown Walking Tour of 1st Ave, May 11th, 7:30 p.m. Meet at Burkhart Square (Lyon and First Ave) to learn about Albany’s historic architecture & history. Sponsored by the Natty Dresser (541) 979-9108. Free – donations can be made to the Monteith Historical Society.

Linn County Historical Society Presents: Jane Kirkpatrick in Albany, May 15, 2:00 p.m. Jane Kirkpatrick will bring to life “The Eliza Spalding Stories” at the Lakeside Center of the Mennonite Village at 2180 54th Avenue SE in Albany. Learn of the Spalding connection to Brownsville and much more. You are welcome to attend and invite others. All programs sponsored by the Linn County Historical Society are free and open to the public. Her book is titled The Memory Weaver. (541) 926-4680.

Historic Downtown Walking Tour of 2nd Ave, May 18, 7:30 p.m. Meet at Burkhart Square (Lyon and First Ave). Learn about Albany’s historic architecture & history. Sponsored by the Natty Dresser. Free. Donations can be made to the Monteith Historical Society.

Central School Centennial Celebration, May 19, 6-9 p.m. Travel back in time with Central Elementary. Enjoy an ice cream social put on by the PTA starting at 6 p.m. The fifth grade classes will present a May Pole dance and program at 7pm, followed by a sing-along medley of old songs from the 1900’s. Tour the 100-year-old building and discover the contents of the school’s time capsule, which will be on display, along with the results of a coloring contest sponsored by the Albany Landmarks Commission. 336 9th Ave. SW

Monteith District Walking Tour, May 21, 11 a.m. Explore Albany’s architectural history on this 45-minute walking tour.  Meet at Albany Farmers’ Market info booth (4th Ave SW & Ellsworth). You’ll learn about preservation history, how buildings in the historic district are evaluated, and a bit about the Landmarks Commission. (541) 791-0176 or email. Free.

Albany Masonic Cemetery Memorial Weekend Recognition, May 29-30, 2016
Self-guided cemetery walking tour. 700 Broadway Street SW, Information will be on hand regarding the grant, work and tours. Questions? Contact jkgrif@comcast.net 541-967-1941.

Preservation Awards Presentation at the City Council meeting, May 25, 7:15pm, Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW, (541) 791-0176 or email. Free.


Other Events this May:

May 14th

Downtown Art and Jazz Festival presented by the Albany Downtown Association10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Come Downtown Albany to hear the sounds of Jazz in the air and view art created by local artists from elementary to professional. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  www.albanydowntown.com or (541) 928-2469

3rd Annual Vintage Bicycle Show & Swap, 1 p.m. – 5.p.m. Presented by Deluxe Brewing Co. All ages welcome in the main brewery area. Tasting room open to 21+. Free Admission. Register onlinealbanybikeshow@gmail.com 635 NE Water Ave.


 

Just outside of Albany…

Saturday & Sunday, May 7 & 8
Carriage Me Back to 1929, Brownsville, OR

A somewhat historic, always enjoyable (and hysterical) community drama of life in 1929 in the history of Brownsville. Dressed in period costumes, local actors take on the personalities of well-known historical characters. Visitors ride in an open horse-drawn wagon carriage from the Linn County Historical Museum (101 Park Ave, Brownsville) to the 1881 Moyer House, enjoying re-enactments along the way. Presented by Linn County Museum Friends & Moyer House, reservations highly recommended (541) 466-3390, historicbrownsville.com. Sat. 10am- 12:30pm & 1pm-3:30pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm,


 

Preservation Opportunities Year-round

Tour Albany Timeline:
http://www.cityofalbany.net/timeline/

Tour Historic Districts
Seems Like Old Times, a self-guided walking/driving tour will guide you through three districts on the National Register of Historic Places with over 700 buildings, historic churches and museums.
Available online and at the Albany Visitors Association. (541) 928-0911, albanyvisitors.com. Free.

Albany Regional Museum
Open Tuesday through Friday: 11am to 4 pm. Saturday: 10am-2pm. A fun collection of Albany memorabilia, photos and artifacts make the museum a must see. 136 Lyon S, Albany. (541) 967-7122, armuseum.com.
Donations encouraged, free for members.

Albany’s Historic Carousel and Museum
Open Monday through Saturday: 10am to 4pm, Wednesdays till 9pm. 503 First West, Albany. (541) 791-3340, albanycarousel.com. Free

Antique & Collectable Shopping
Enjoy shopping antique & collectible shops in Historic Downtown Albany, albanydowntown.com

Covered Bridge Tour
Step back in time as you travel through the covered bridges of Linn County. Pick up a self-guided driving tour at the Albany Visitors Association.

Downtown Movie Night

Enjoy a movie in the atmosphere of the restored Pix Theater, one of the finest examples of commercial Queen Anne Architecture in the city of Albany. Open 7 days a week.
Pix Theater, albanypix.com, 321 2nd SW, (541) 967-SHOW. $.

Albany Civic Theater
Located in the Historic Regina Frager Auditorium. 111 West 1st Ave. PO Box 82, Albany, (541) 928-4603, albanycivic.org. $

Linn County Genealogical Society
An extensive assortment of historical and genealogical holdings are available for members and the general public in the Albany Public Library. 2450 14th Ave, Albany. (541) 791-1618, lgsoregon.org. Free.

The Linn County Historical Museum
Open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 4pm and on Sunday from 1pm to 5pm.
It is well worth several visits.  It is housed in the relocated railroad depot and railroad cars at
101 Park Avenue in Brownsville. $

For information contact the Albany Visitors Association
www.albanyvisitors.com

 

 

 

2 Comments on “Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month in Albany

  1. The Albany Carousel is moving to a temporary location at The Two Rivers Mall while it’s old building is taken down and replaced with the building where the carousel will be operating.

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