In 2020, Albany’s month long celebration of National Historic Preservation will look a little different than in past years, We want to keep everyone safe and healthy, and will be updating this list of activities that can be done virtually or by using recommended physical distancing best practices. Part of Albany’s grace is that we work with our many business and government partners to keep you engaged, even if you feel house-bound. So let’s get excited about how to stay in touch and celebrate our history!
May 1st through the 31, 2020
Albany’s Hidden History Scavenger Hunt Photo Tour Sponsored by the Natty Dresser, entry forms can be downloaded right here (PDF). Return your completed entries to The Natty Dresser’s front door mail slot at 425 First Ave. W by Friday May 31 to be entered to win a prize. The grand prize winner will be announced June 1.
Hackleman District Historic House Sign Scavenger Hunt Sponsored by the Friends of Historic Albany (FOHA), hunt for name signs on historic homes throughout the Hackleman District. Entry forms can be found at the FOHA Facebook page. Click on the form with pictures of the signs to be found, download it and print it out. Then let the adventure begin! Find the signs and write down the address of the house.s they are on When done, scan the form and email it to rebecca@adaptivepreservation.com. Gift certificates from Natural Sprinkles will be awarded to the top three entries. Entry deadline is noon on Sunday, May 31.
City of Albany Hashtag Mini-Tour If you own a historic home and would like to share it during National Historic Preservation Month, how about setting up a virtual Hashtag Mini-Tour of your own? Pick an area of your historic home that you would like to share: It could be a unique window, awesome flooring, a hidden passage — anything! You can share it as a photo or a video on any social media platform that uses hashtags. Here’s how it works: To use hashtags, post just like you usually would on your page. Then, in the comment section, type the hashtag we have provided here. It will automatically become a link when it posts. Then you will be able to click on it and see all of the other posts that use it. Use hashtags #AlbanyORpreservation2020 and #sociallydistantminitour. If you want to have it accessed by an audience beyond the Albany community, add #thisplacematters. Post throughout the month of May. Let’s celebrate our amazing resources together … apart!
Albany Farmers’ Market is the oldest outdoor farmers’ market in Oregon. Open every Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Purchase hand-picked produce, fresh flowers, baked bread, local eggs, meats and more. The market is located at 4th and Ellsworth in the City Hall parking lot. Be sure to follow the physical distancing rules set forth this spring for a safe and healthy market experience. The market is also in the process of developing an online pre-visit order form to make your visit even safer, so be sure to check their website at LocallyGrown.org.
The Albany Regional Museum Historic Photo Collections One of our city’s greatest treasures is located at the Albany Regional Museum. And although the museum is closed currently to keep all visitors and staff safe, you can still browse the pictorial archives online. Connect to the Potts Photo Collection and prepare to be amazed. Another online project being conducted by the museum is to keep a diary of what it is like living during an international pandemic. Entitled “Share your Experience,” your personal stories will inform generations of Linn County residents what life was like a hundred years from now. Learn more about the project, and how your donation will keep the museum alive and ready to reopen.
Do the crossword puzzle Test your knowledge of all things historic around these parts and have a little fun with the family figuring out the answers to this crossword puzzle. Download and print the crossword (PDF). After you’ve worked your way through, check to see if you got all the answers right. No cheating! Download the answer key (PDF).
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Albany Virtual Tweed Ride Oscar Hult from The Natty Dresser will don his best tweed cycling attire for a leisurely ride through Albany’s three National Historic Districts. Starting at 10 a.m. in front of The Natty Dresser, 425 1st Ave W., the ride will be presented live at Albany Tweed Ride, and a map will be posted later so you can ride it yourself at your leisure.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
History Bites: Preserving Your Treasures The Albany Regional Museum will restart it’s popular History Bites series at noon on Wednesday, May 13, by going virtual with a Facebook Live presentation from Kylie Pine, the Curator and Collections Manager at the Willamette Heritage Center. Kylie will discuss Preserving Your Treasures: Practical Ideas for Caring for Family Heirlooms. Audience members are encouraged to send a photo and description of a favorite object in advance to klohse@armuseum.com or send it to the Museum’s Facebook page via private messages, and Kylie will select a few to talk about. And stay up-to-date on more History Bites topics and other events at the Museum by liking and following its Facebook page.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Historic Downtown Walking Tour of 1st Ave. This activity will feature physical distancing techniques, so be prepared to be safe and healthy during the tour. Oscar Hult will be your tour guide and will use best practices. 7:00 p.m. Meet at Burkhart Square (Lyon and First Ave). Please note that the actual tour may be changed with short notice, so please check with The Natty Dresser before showing up. Information at 541-248-3561.
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Historic Downtown Walking Tour of 2nd Ave.This activity will feature physical distancing techniques, so be prepared to be safe and healthy during the tour. Oscar Hult will be your tour guide and will use best practices. 7:00 p.m. Meet at Burkhart Square (Lyon and First Ave). Please note that the actual tour may be changed with short notice, so please check with The Natty Dresser before showing up. Information at 541-248-3561.
*Historic images from the Albany Regional Museum’s Potts Collection
Notes
We will be updating this post regularly throughout Historic Preservation Month, so check back frequently for new activities, Other ideas for you include:
- Take a tour of historic covered bridges or historic districts : do a virtual tour with the free Albany Explorer App or download a tour and use your car or bike to travel the various routes from “Seems Like Old Times.”
- Take a virtual tour of our historic homes by watching the video below (Photos courtesy of Camron Settlemeir .)
