Chamber Chat – March 2026

THE Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and Historic Jacksonville, Inc. once again proudly celebrate Women’s History Month in our historic landmark town.

As I continue to learn, Jacksonville has an amazing group of women entrepreneurs, City Leaders and dedicated Volunteers that continue to bring their unique businesses, personalities, and desires to serve and preserve, to our Landmark Town. We thank them for sharing their talents, ideas, passion and engaging energy.

Speaking of entrepreneurial women, can you imagine how resourceful the women of the 1900s had to be to run their homes? Come take a look as Historic Jacksonville, Inc. opens the C.C. Beekman House for “Daily Life Then and Now” tours! Come visit and travel back to 1900 for a “retro” tour of daily Jacksonville life. You’ll be visiting communication, fashion, etiquette, entertainment, chores, household “amenities,” and much more—things we take for granted like HVAC, running water, and…bathrooms! Gain insight into how your great-grandparents…or great-great-grandparents…might have lived. Join us for an innovative and informative trip into Jacksonville’s past! Forty-five-minute tours begin every 20-30 minutes between noon and 3pm on four Saturdays; February 28, March 21, April 18, and May 16. Beekman House is located at 470 E. California Street, Jacksonville, OR 97530. Tour admission is $8 (cash or check at the door).

In addition, “Then and Now” personas will be around town on weekends as “Street Ambassadors” and portraying historical characters at our more prominent Landmarks.

The Chamber would like to remember one of our bright lights, Kimberly Ramos, who managed Somar Family Vineyards Tasting Room and who passed unexpectedly on November 30, 2025. Kim was an active member of our community and will be remembered for her generosity, love of animals, playful sense of humor and adventurous spirit.

I would like to recognize our own Julie Baker, who has been our Chamber Visitor Center Director since 2024, and who will be retiring from her position at the end of March 2026. Julie first moved to the valley as a young girl and lived just outside Jacksonville and could be seen riding her horse through town from 1970–1974. She returned to the area in 1992 and raised her two daughters here while working for the Medford School District for 25 years as the Registrar at McLoughlin Mid High, retiring in June 2022.

We all wish her well and thank her for her many contributions overseeing Visitor Center staff and operations, managing trolley operations, and handling much of the planning and coordination for events such as Victorian Christmas, Holiday Trolley Lights Tours, the Wine Trolley and Halloween Promenade. Julie is looking forward to more family time, grandkids and Friday Night Line Dancing.

Above photo: Members of the Belles & Beaus Old West/Victorian Society of Jacksonville, l-r: Sharon Wesner, Deedee Shields, Amber Shields, Lois Kessler, Theresa Schumacher, Debbie Davis, and Charlene Schultz. Photo by Belita Palu-ay