The Oregon Heritage Commission is a group of leaders from across the state that works collaboratively to champion resources, recognition, and funding for preserving and interpreting Oregon’s past. Founded in 1995 by the Legislature, the Heritage Commission is comprised of nine gubernatorial appointments and nine ex-officio members. The Commission is designated in ORS 358.570-595 as the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in Oregon.
2020-2025 Oregon Heritage Plan: Prepared by the Heritage Commission, the 2020-2025 Oregon Heritage Plan identifies opportunities to strengthen heritage in the state and lays the foundation for the Commission’s priorities.
Annual Meeting Schedule
The Oregon Heritage Commission conducts quarterly meetings at sites around Oregon. These meetings have a business session and often tour of heritage sites and organizations in the region. All meetings and tours are free and open to the public. There is a public comment period during each meeting for those that wish to speak with the Commission.
Upcoming Meetings and Agendas
- Nov. 3-4, Pendleton & online, draft agenda
- In-person Meeting - Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. 47106 Wildhorse Blvd, Pendleton, OR 97801
- Concurrent Zoom Meeting – Registration is required to virtually attend the meeting. Register here.
- Jan. 27, virtual, agenda TBD
- April 27-28, Southern Willamette Valley region & online, agenda TBD
For current information about meeting time and locations, or about agendas and minutes of previous meetings, contact the Oregon Heritage Commission Coordinator, Katie Henry, at katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov.
Staff
Katie Henry, Oregon Heritage Commission Coordinator
Kuri Gill, Grants and Outreach Coordinator
Commissioners
Currently there are two vacancies on the Commission representing heritage interests from the following regions of the state: Portland, Southern Oregon.
To apply visit Governor Kotek's Boards and Commissions webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/board-list.aspx.
Rosemary Johnson, Astoria, Chair
Johnson
was the Planner and Historic Preservation Officer for the City of
Astoria until her retirement in 2014. She current works as a planning
consultant for the City, acting as project manager on projects such as
the restoration of the Doughboy Monument and the design and construction
of the Scandinavian Heritage Park.
Kerry Savage, Baker City, Vice Chair
Savage
has been the Baker County Assessor since 2008. Prior to this role, he
served in a variety of positions in the Assessor's office since 1987. He
is active in statewide and community organizations including the Oregon
State Association of County Assessor's, the Ford Family Leadership
program, Scouts, Little League, and YMCA programs. He holds a degree
from Eastern Oregon University.
Maureen Battistella, Medford
Maureen Flanagan Battistella is a librarian by training and inclination and has a faculty appointment in the Sociology and Anthropology program at Southern Oregon University. Her research interests include community documentation, oral history and heritage preservation. Battistella is the curator of the Stories of Southern Oregon project published on YouTube, in the Internet Archives and in the Southern Oregon Digital Archives at Southern Oregon University’s Hannon Library.
Chrissy Curran (advisory)
Chrissy Curran is the deputy state historic preservation officer. She also is a member of the Oregon Historical Quarterly editorial board.
Ross Fuqua (advisory)
Fuqua serves as the Data & Digital Projects Consultant for the State Library of Oregon.
Amit Kobrowski (advisory)
Kobrowski serves as the Social Science Specialist for the Department of Education. Prior, he taught in the Beaverton School District for over 20 years. His passion in the classroom is making social science curriculum relevant, accessible, and challenging for all learners. Kobrowski holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and has completed graduate programs at Portland State University and American University.
Larry Landis (advisory)
Landis serves as the director of the Special Collections and Archives Research Center, a department of the Oregon State University Libraries and Archives. Much of his work has focused on heritage, particularly the history of OSU, natural resources in Oregon, and underrepresented communities. He holds a Master's degree in history with a minor in archives administration from Texas Christian University.
Anne LeVant Prahl, Portland
Anne
LeVant Prahl is curator of collections for the Oregon Jewish Museum
& Center for Holocaust Education, where she oversees the oral
history program and collects first person narratives. She holds a
master’s in Folklore and Museum Studies from the University of Texas,
Austin.
Mary McRobinson (advisory)
Mary McRobinson serves as the Reference Unit Manager at the Oregon State Archives where she combines her experience working with political papers and public records with a passion for providing access to Oregon’s history. Prior to joining OSA, Mary established and led Willamette University’s Archives and worked at the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies at the University of Georgia. She holds a master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from Willamette University.
Randall Melton, Pendleton
Bio coming soon.
Libby Provost, Portland
Libby Provost is an architectural historian and interpretive specialist with Historical Research Associates, Inc., where she manages projects in cultural resources management as well as exhibit development and oral history. She has a BA in history from Linfield University and MA in history from Portland State University. Provost grew up in St. Helens, OR, and is passionate about helping communities preserve and share their history.
Kerry Tymchuk (advisory)
Kerry Tymchuk, an author and historian, is the executive director of the Oregon Historical Society. He chaired the 2012 Legislative Task Force on Heritage Vitality.
Michelle Woodard (advisory)
Woodard is the grants manager for Travel Oregon and monitors Travel Oregon's competitive and matching grant programs. She is responsible for increasing positive economic impacts of tourism and strengthening Oregon's diverse local tourism industry through Travel Oregon Grants.