Focus on the Farm – March 2022

Our year-end donation match campaign put the Southern Oregon Historical Society on track for turning the dream of a downtown Medford Event Center and museum into a reality. The architects have begun transforming concepts into floor plans, reviews are underway, and it’s time to kick-off the campaign to renovate the historic JC Penney’s building!

So, we’re planning our first event—an early spring dinner and auction featuring well-known local chefs creating farm-to-table style dinners, highlighting local foods and wines. Thursday, April 7, is the target date to “Spring SOHS Forward.”

But…we need your help! Do you, or someone you know, have an item or service you would like to donate for the April 7 auction? We’re looking for fun, interesting, saleable items or services—mini-vacations, art pieces, massages, etc. Think about things you might consider bidding on, and please don’t limit yourself! Contact Nancy Hamlin at nlhamlin@charter.net for donation details, and don’t forget…all donations are tax deductible!

Saturday, March 5, from 1-3pm, SOHS volunteers will be replacing four damaged or dangerous trees at SOHS Hanley Farm, and YOU’RE invited to join in tree-related activities!

You can help Jeff LaLande, SOHS Archaeologist, sift dirt from the removal sites. What treasures will be found? Tools, bottles, toys, coins, nuggets? Well, okay, probably not gold.

After rummaging in the dirt, tour the unique Hanley grounds trees as Garden Tour Docents share their interesting stories.

Meet Frank Callahan, of Callahan Seeds where he propagated two of the Hinds walnut trees planted that day. Frank is also the 2021 recipient of the Maynard Drawson Award, a prestigious honor given by the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee.

Finally, investigate an exhibit of Oregon Heritage Trees and talk with Nancy Appling, Oregon Heritage Tree committee member.

PLUS… there will be children’s activities, hot drinks, AND the farm will be in full bloom!

March 2, noon-1pm, Windows in Time: “Hidden History – Backstories from Ashland and Medford History”—What could Lolita, Raggedy Ann, Tobacco Road, Lithia Auto Group, Camelot, mouse traps, a stolen election, a faith healer, a headless Lincoln, a 160-year-old cold case, and a “robber-Barron” possibly have in common? Join Joe Peterson as he relates their southern Oregon backstories, which may surprise you! This event takes place remotely, via Zoon. Zoom meeting details will be emailed to you when you register at https://jcls.libcal.com/event/8648807.