SHEDD MUSEUM
Did you know Shedd has a museum? Well it does! And while you are in Shedd to attend the
Boston Mill Society's Annual Meeting, swing by the museum and have a look for yourself.
The Shedd Museum is located in the old Shedd Bank building, 29990 First Street E. This is a short walk from the Masonic Hall on 99E where the Annual Meeting will take place.
The museum features pioneer Shedd family and community memorabilia, Civil War and Oregon
Trail items and fine collectibles. Be prepared for a surprise!
Hours on Saturday are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Donations accepted.
THOMPSON'S MILLS Planners Seek Input
While the first public meeting seeking comments and information for the Master Plan was held April
7th, you may still provide written input to the process. This input will be used to prepare a first draft of the plan. Master plans guide the development and use of facilities and the protection of important natural, cultural and scenic resources within state park boundaries.
After the plans are approved by local governments, the Parks Commission will adopt the plans as administrative rules.
Parks purchased the Thompson's Mills property in May 2004 using its lottery-supported Parks and
Natural Resource Fund. The complex includes one of the Willamette Valley's first gristmills -a mill
originally built in 1858, and rebuilt in 1863 after it was destroyed by fire. The mill and mill owner's
residence are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There is still time to send your comments to Parks master planning coordinator:
Kristen Stallman, Master Planning Coordinator
Oregon Parks & Recreation Dept.
725 Summer St. NE, Suite C
Salem, OR 97301-1266
FAX: (503)986-0792
E-mail: Kristen.Stallman@state/or.us
The draft Master Plan will also be available on the Parks website:
http://egov.oregon.gov/OPRD/PLANS
INTERPRETIVE PLANNING
The kick-off for interpretive planning for Thompson's Mills will be this fall. By this time the draft Master Site Plan will be available and reviewed by the public.
It was an interesting observation that during the public meeting for developing the Master Site Plan, many comments really were about how Thompson's Mills would be used for interpretation. The interest in interpretation is strong! And Parks promises a "World Class Interpretive Plan."
As many of you know, I have visited many living history museums and old mills around the country with a view toward interpretation of Thompson's Mills. I am a member of the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM) and the Association for Living History, Fann and - Agricultural Museums (ALHF AM). I have attended two national conferences of SPOOM and three western regional conferences of ALHF AM. This has afforded the opportunity to meet with the "pros" and visit results of their efforts.
All of this was done with the idea of how this information could be used for interpretation at "our"
mill.
It is obvious to me that our problem is to select from the huge amount of information available a theme and storyline to convey the basic story we want to tell in about one hour. Included in this should be an operating grist mill, similar to that at Old Sturbridge Village, to allow guests to participate and observe the process of converting wheat into flour. Millstones turn, wheat is milled elevated and delivered to a sifter to grade the flour. Kids can participate, touch, hear, feel and sense the operation! This will be a challenge and also a fascinating opportunity for us all.
Martin E. Thompson, President
Boston Mill Society
Friends of Thompson's Mills
