Oregon is putting its history at the forefront with a new blueprint for preservation. The Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has rolled out a 10-year strategic plan aimed at safeguarding the state's cultural treasures. The 2024-2033 Oregon Historic Preservation Plan outlines a comprehensive approach to maintaining and celebrating Oregon's historic places, which includes strengthening the heritage community, ramping up preservation planning, optimizing government processes, and embracing information technology tools.
According to the plan, released by Oregon Heritage, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), strengthening organizations is key to preserving Oregon's historical narrative. In trying to build the heritage community, the plan proposes supporting these organizations, by not only bolstering their leadership but also by enhancing their ties to an increasingly diverse public. Part of the strategy is broadening the scope of the history that gets preserved by weaving in the richness of all communities.
With survival in mind—of stories, structures, and legacies—the plan calls for saving historic sites that encapsulate Oregon's multifaceted past. By identifying such places, planning for their protection, and finding stronger support for their conservation, there's a push to ensure future generations will witness the tangible remnants of the state's heritage. Additionally, an envisioned public database and a technology system aim to streamline preservation work statewide.
Support for this historical stewardship extends across the spectrum, involving everyone from local governments to tribal entities, as well as museums, landmarks commissions, and educational institutions. The plan set forth by SHPO, funded partly through a grant from the National Park Service (NPS), details how these varied participants, realizing the value of these cultural resources, can take action to improve not just government efficiency but to spur community connection and economic development through their efforts.
The initiative wasn't designed in isolation. The SHPO used varied engagement methods, from online surveys to public and agency meetings, to ensure the plan addressed a swath of concerns and incorporated a wide array of voices. As reported by OPRD, the office is also working closely with other Oregon Heritage programs, including the Oregon Heritage Commission and Oregon Main Street, aligning it with state-wide aims of historic conservation and community revitalization. Those interested can view the plan online in English and Spanish or request printed copies by reaching out to Oregon Heritage for more information.
