Focus on Hanley Farm – May 2018

The Gold Diggers are a mainstay of the Southern Oregon Historical Society. Doug McGeary says it best, “The Society would not be the same without them! The quality of the programs is owed to these remarkable women.” In April, the Gold Diggers celebrated their 40th year of service, and have a remarkable history.

In 1977, 84-year-old Mary Hanley, realizing more volunteers were needed for the Jacksonville Historical Museum and the Beekman House, recruited 10 volunteers. By July, her group had expanded to over 40—the original Gold Diggers! The group defined themselves as an organization “civic and social in nature

[that] shall serve to enhance the programs of the Southern Oregon Historical Society.”

Fundraising has always been the major purpose of the Gold Diggers. During their first two years they staged a costume fashion show, held dinner and dance socials, and sponsored garage sales at the Medford Center and the National Guard Armory. Over the years they have raised $256,000 to assist with Society projects. And they are among the first to volunteer at our public events. This year they’ve contributed over 2,000 hours of service to the Society!

The Gold Diggers are not always working; the ladies relax and enjoy themselves, too! Their monthly meetings are always fun, and past president Nancy Hamlin said that, at every meeting, they have a program that tells about the history of Southern Oregon. Other activities include their festive holiday party in December, and a Founders’ Day event in the spring.

You too can be a Gold Digger! To learn about becoming an SOHS Gold Digger, contact Barbara Moore, President, at moorebarbara994@gmail.com.

Membership Has its Rewards!—New SOHS members – enroll by June 1 and receive a copy of “A Lasting Impression – The Art & Life of Regina Dorland Robinson.” In just ten years, Robinson created a “significant body of work in charcoal, pastels, oils and watercolors,” and was praised for her “still life, landscapes and portraits, and for her brilliant use of color.” Before her untimely death, Dorland indelibly captured the life and spirit of early 1900s Jacksonville. To join the Society, enroll online at http://sohs.org/membership, or stop by the Research Library at 106 N. Central Avenue in Medford.

Local Fourth-Grade Students attend the Children’s Heritage Fair—From May 30 through June 1, over 700 local fourth grade students take a field trip to Hanley farm to learn about our agricultural traditions. SOHS volunteers, with help from the Gold Diggers, staff learning-stations and show how pioneer children helped with farm chores. Hands-on activities include candlemaking, butter churning, spinning and weaving, etc.

Windows in Time: The Civil War (With its Effects) Comes to Southern Oregon—While no battles were fought in Oregon, Oregon did have a role in the Civil War. At the May WIT talks, Paul Christy, local Author & Historian, speaks about that role and the effect it had on Southern Oregon and its people. May 2 at the Medford Library, and May 9 at the Ashland Library, both noon-1:00pm.

Featured image is Gold Diggers l-r: Pam Lumley, Linda Basgen, Liz Smith, Kitty Meyer and Nancy Hamlin.