Enjoy history, events during National Preservation Month

May is National Historic Preservation Month, and what better way to observe it than with several exciting events planned in and around Albany.

Here’s a list to get you started:

ALL MONTH

Albany Explorer App – Soak up some history throughout the month and get a helping hand with the Albany Explorer app, presented by the Albany Visitors Association and HospitalityVision. It contains many things to see and do around Albany, including history, shopping and dining.

One of its new features is Pioneering Women in Albany History, a series of profiles of Albany women who led the way in helping make Albany what it is today.

So far, eight women are profiled on the app. They are:

• Mae Yih, first Chinese-American woman to be elected to a state legislature.
• Abigail Scott Duniway, pioneering activist for Oregon women’s right to vote.
• Bessie Wyatt Hale, first black woman to own a business in Albany.
• Naomi Young, philanthropist and instrumental in bringing a Carnegie Library to Albany.
• Wendy Kirbey, businesswoman and founder of the Historic Carousel & Museum.
• Captain Minnie Mae (Mossman) Hill, became one of only three women in the nation to be licensed as a steamboat pilot on the Columbia and Willamette rivers in 1866.
• Esther (Nebergall) Ferguson, first woman president of the Albany Chamber of Commerce.
• Evelyn Nicholas Burleson Whitmaker Waldren, pioneer aviator who, with her husband, ran the Albany Municipal Airport for several years.

Each entry offers a written biography and video of each woman, along with walking instructions on how to find spots where these amazing women made history around Albany.

The app can be downloaded onto your cell phone by going to the Apple Store for iPhone or iPad and Google Play for Android.

Here are other events planned for Preservation Month:

Hidden History Scavenger Hunt (through May 26) – Printed forms available at The Natty Dresser, Albany Visitors Association and Albany Downtown Association, or download the form here. The Hidden History Scavenger Hunt includes photos of Downtown architectural elements to identify. Completed forms must be returned to The Natty Dresser by 5 p.m. Thursday, May 26. All correctly completed entries will be put into a drawing for a prize. A winner will be announced on May 27.

EVENTS

Saturday, May 6

Guided Birding Tour at Thompson’s Mills, 10 a.m. – Join experienced birders Bill Freeland and Madelyn Antinucci at Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site, located 2 miles east of Shedd, to learn what is happening in the avian world this spring and how to observe and record your findings. Bill and Madelyn will have a few pairs of binoculars to loan but please bring your own if possible. Wear comfortable waterproof boots and dress to be outside for at least an hour, walking one mile on flat ground.  Free tours of the mill will be available as well. Meet in the parking lot next to the restrooms. For more information, call 541-227-8873.

Window Restoration Workshop, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Sponsored by the Albany Landmarks Commission and Vintage Windows Restoration, 635 Water Avenue NE. Snacks and coffee will be served. Please register with alyssa.schrems@cityofalbany.net, 541-791-0176. Class is limited to the first 25 enrolled and there is no fee.

Albany Airport Historic Hangar Open House, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – A two-day event. Come see the historic hanger, airplanes (including Miss Liberty, flown by Albany pioneer Evelyn Burleson, currently under restoration) model airplane displays. Talk with aviators during this free open house at the Albany Municipal Airport. Visitors will be asked to sign a waiver. Kids are welcome.

Sunday, May 7

Albany Airport Historic Hangar Open House, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – A two-day event. Come see the historic hanger, airplanes (including Miss Liberty, flown by Albany pioneer Evelyn Burleson, currently under restoration) model airplane displays. Talk with aviators during this free open house at the Albany Municipal Airport. Visitors will be asked to sign a waiver. Kids are welcome.

Tuesday, May 9

1st Avenue History Walking Tour, 6 p.m. – The tour will begin at Burkhart Square (next to the Civic Theater) 101 1st Ave. SW. The tour is free but there is a suggested $5 donation per person to benefit the Monteith House. Sponsored by the The Natty Dresser.

Wednesday, May 10

2nd Avenue History Walking Tour May, 6 p.m. – The tour will begin at Burkhart Square (next to the Civic Theater) 101 1st Ave SW. The tour is free but there is a suggested $5 donation per person to benefit the Monteith House. Sponsored by the The Natty Dresser.

The Story of Sodaville, 3 p.m. – Presented by Julie Grunberg and JaDala Coyle at the Lebanon Public Library, 55 Academy St, Lebanon. Admission is free.

Saturday, May 13

Albany Tweed Ride, 10 a.m. – Starts at The Natty Dresser, 124 Broadalbin St. SW. Don your finest tweed attire and take a bicycle tour of Albany’s National Historic Districts. Come by before the ride and meet with NW Mobile Bike Repair for a quick check-up. Arrive by 9:30 to enter the costume and best bike contests. The ride starts at 10. The tour will stop on occasion to talk about menswear and the historic buildings and sights along the way. The ride ends at Deluxe Brewery, where they will be hosting their annual Vintage Bicycle Show & Swap Meet. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the brewery. Riders are welcome to bring a picnic lunch, as the brewery allows outside food. Bring a cup if it looks like it is going to be a warm day and we will have a water break along the way.

Albany Vintage Bicycle Show & Swap Meet, 1 to 5 p.m. – Show is at, and sponsored by, Deluxe Brewing, 635 Water Ave. NE. Admission for spectators is free and $5 if you wish to enter a bicycle in the show. For information call 541-928-7699.

Cumberland Church Celebration, 12 to 2 p.m. – Marking 131 years of the historic church, which was dedicated May 5, 1892. Enjoy music, cake and history about this wonderful building, which is being renovated and will be home to the Cumberland Community Events Center.

Monteith House Living History Activity, 12 to 2 p.m. – Step into 1850 on the second Saturday of each month at the historic Monteith House Museum, 518 2^nd Ave. SW, and take part in activities such as woodworking, pioneer doll making, baking biscuits, making butter, and others. Each time will be something new. Register in advance by calling 541-220-0421.

Monday, May 15

1912 SE Young & Son Building Tour, 3 p.m.  – Meet at The Natty Dresser’s Broadalbin Street entrance, 124 Broadalbin St. SW. The tour will include all floors of the building, artifacts from previous tenants, and behind the scenes at the Natty Dresser. You will learn about the building’s original owner and the architect who made it happen. After the tour you can stick around and explore the Natty Dresser and get a sample of cheesecake from Beloved Cheesecakes which is located inside the building.

Saturday, May 20

Cumberland Steeple Raising, 12 to 1 p.m. – The steeple, which was removed for renovation when the Cumberland Church was moved to its current location in 2022 , will be raised in a ceremony. Albany Mayor Alex Johnson II and other city officials will be on hand for a ribbon cutting, and a capella groups from South Albany High School and Calapooia Middle School will perform. The public is invited to attend, and food and refreshments will be provided.

Albany Streetcar History Tour, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Tour guests will hop aboard the Albany Streetcar at the Albany Regional Museum, 136 Lyon St S, for a narrated tour by Bill Maddy, Albany Regional Museum docent and Albany historian. The tour will feature humorous and unusual Albany history stories in the Downtown and Hackelman area. Streetcar seating is limited, and reservations are required. Tickets for the public are $5, free to Albany Regional Museum members.  For tickets, call 541-967-7122.

Thursday, May 25

Walking History Tour, TBA – Members of the Friends of Historic Albany (FOHA) will be talking about architectural terminology and the technical features of some of Albany’s wonderful historic homes. Time and place of the tour to be announced. Check the calendar at albanyvisitors.com for details as the event approaches.

OTHER ADVENTURES

Daily

Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. –Take a guided tour of Oregon’s oldest water-powered mill and watch it come to life. Located at 32655 Boston Mill Drive, Shedd.

Saturdays

Albany Farmers’ Market is the oldest outdoor farmers’ market in Oregon. Open every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 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.  For more about what the market has to offer, including online pre-visit order forms to make your visit even safer, be sure to check their website at LocallyGrown.org.

Friday, May 5

Albany Downtown Wine Walk, 4 to 8 p.m. –Tickets are on sale at Albany Visitors Association, 110 3^rd Ave. SE, for $20 and include a glass and five tasting tickets. Cash or check only for advance sales. The starting point is the corner of 1st Avenue & Ferry Street in Downtown Albany. 

May 19-21

Linn County Lamb & Wool Fair – The oldest fair of its kind in Oregon includes sheep shows, fiber arts, crafts and Northwest Champion Sheep Dog Trials. The event is held at the Scio Fairgrounds, 38764 N. Ash St, Scio. For information go to lambfair.com.