The future of Oregon's past is set to be mapped out in mid-May when the Oregon Museum Grant committee congregates to evaluate a slew of funding appeals aimed at bolstering the state's heritage institutions. According to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, these arbiters of historical preservation will convene on May 15, poring over applications to cherry-pick which museums deserve a financial shot in the arm.

Tightening the bolts of history's showcase requires cash and consideration, the committee's scoring and ranking of applications will be whittled down and their recommendations shipped off to the Oregon Heritage Commission, which holds the purse strings for final sanction come May 20. The meeting will swing both ways, accessible via teleconference or can be graced in person at Salem, making it an open affair for heritage hawks and the interested public alike – complete with access info within the meeting agenda.

At the heart of this whole operation sits the Oregon Heritage Commission, a tight-knit collective appointed by the Governor, a crew of nine charged with the custody of Oregon's storied diversity. With an additional nine advisory representatives from across state agencies and organizations, they're thrust into the spotlight to foster public education about Oregon's heritage, promote its diversity, and put their weight behind heritage-related initiatives. Advocating for history is no small feat, but it's one the Commission appears primed and ready to tackle head-on.

So as May 15 edges closer, the state's museums and heritage enthusiasts stay perched on the edge of their seats, their eyes locked on the committee's every move – hopes high that their slice of Oregon's past won't be left by the wayside in the race for grant coin. The teleconference will open its digital doors at 8:30 a.m., a beacon for those who wish to bear witness or wave their support for the museums that echo the spirit of their state's history.