Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month in Benton County

Did you know that Corvallis was originally called Marysville? It was changed in 1853 to avoid confusion with a California town of the same name. The new name was chosen to represent how people feel about this area - its Latin translation is “Heart of the Valley.” This May, take an adventure to the heart of Willamette Valley to see Corvallis in a new way - by exploring historical sites and activities offered during National Historic Preservation Month.

Enjoy walks down memory lanes with guided tours of historic sections of town. Take in the fresh outdoors with a memorial garden or hikes in natural areas while learning their past stories. Make learning about historical places and events an adventure this May.

👉 Download the complete schedule of events (.pdf).

The Benton County Historic Resources Commission is organizing free tours, events, and activities throughout May. Check the links for more information about Corvallis-area events.

• April 24, 3 p.m. - Historic Chimney Repointing Workshop at the Commander's House in Fort Hoskins (Registration required, call Benton County Natural Areas, Parks and Events Department at (541) 766-6521 to register.)
• May 1, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. - Masonic Temple Tour at the Corvallis Masonic Temple (Space limited, register here.)
• May 4, 11 a.m. - Harding Center: Through Historic Renovation For Best Use Now at the Harding Center (Space limited, register here.)
• May 4, 5:30 p.m. - Tour of Historic Building Renovations, starting at Everbowl
• May 5, 4 p.m. - Untold Stories of OSU Walking Tour, beginning at the football sculpture at Reser Stadium
• May 6, 2 p.m. - Historic Philomath College Tour at the Philomath Museum ($10/person, registration required.)
• May 7, 4 p.m. - Benton County Courthouse Tour at the Benton County Courthouse
• May 9, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. - Franklin School Neighborhood Trees Walking Tour, starting at the Franklin School
• May 9, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. - Franklin School Tour at the Franklin School
• May 11, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. - Oregon State University Historic District Walking Tour, beginning at the east side of Community Hall (Space limited, email tro2005@gmail.com to register.)
• May 12, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. - Second Annual Leticia Carson Symposium at the LaSells Stewart Center (Registration required, register here.)
• May 16, 4 p.m. - Untold Stories of OSU Walking Tour, beginning at the football sculpture at Reser Stadium
• May 16, 5:30 p.m. - Oregon's "Trail of Tears" at Robnett's Hardware Store
• May 17, 2 p.m. - Historic Philomath College Tour at the Philomath Museum ($10/person, registration required.)
• May 18, 3:30 p.m. - Cemetery Cleaning Workshop at Crystal Lake Cemetery
• May 20, 4:30 p.m. - Atomic Ranch Walking Tour, starting at the corner of NW Lincoln Avenue and NW 15th Street in Corvallis
• May 22, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. - Avery-Helm Historic District Tour, starting at the corner of Second Avenue and Western Boulevard in Corvallis
• May 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. - Interior Tours of the Under-Restoration Willamette Grange Hall at the Willamette Grange Hall
• May 24, 10 a.m. - College Hill National Historic District Tour, starting at the Harding Center
• May 25, 1 p.m. - OSU Heritage Trees Tour, starting in front of OSU's Community Hall
• May 28, 5:30 p.m. - Alive in the Margins Walking Tour, leaving from the Courtyard Corvallis lobby
• May 29, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. - Historic Preservation Celebration at the Majestic Theatre
• May 30, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. - Bald Hill Farm: Past and Future at the Bald Hill Farm (Registration required, register here.)

This year's Historic Preservation Month also has some events scheduled in Albany. For more information on these events, download the complete schedule of events (.pdf).

• May 2, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.: Preserving Your Family's Treasures at the Albany Regional Museum
• May 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. - Historic Windows Restoration at 635 Water Ave., Albany (Space limited, register here.)
• May 10, 10 a.m. - Albany Tweed Ride, starting from the Natty Dresser at 124 Broadalbin St. in Albany
• May 10, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. - Cumberland Church 133rd Birthday Celebration and Open House at 1400 Santiam Road S.E., Albany
• May 13, 5:30 p.m. - First Avenue History Walking Tour, starting at Burkhart Square (next to the Albany Civic Theater)
• May 14, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. - History Bites: Novak Family and Restaurant at the Albany Regional Museum
• May 14, 5:30 p.m. - Second Avenue History Walking Tour, starting at Burkhart Square (next to the Albany Civic Theater)
• May 17, 1 p.m. - Historic Albany Streetcar Tour at the Albany Regional Museum
• May 17, 1 p.m. - Albany Air Museum Information Session at the Albany Air Museum - Wings of History (Space limited, register here.)
• May 27, 6 p.m. - How to Research Your House's History Workshop - If Walls Could Talk at the Albany Public Library
• July 30, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. - History Through Headstones - Albany's Early Educators at Riverside Cemetery

Replay Spectres of Benton County Past (or play it for the first time)! This interactive scavenger hunt combines history and mystery as you explore Corvallis. For more information on these events, download the complete schedule of events (.pdf).

• May 10: Step in to the Shadows of Benton County's Past, Season One
• May 17: Step in to the Shadows of Benton County's Past, Season Two
• May 24: Step in to the Shadows of Benton County's Past, Season Three

Preservation Month activities are funded, for the most part, with federal funds from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, Certified Local Government Program. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior.

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