Quarterly Newsletter Vol. 23 #3— Fall 2011

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum Association, Inc.

a non-profit Corporation

Fall

Calendar

Oct 10th Board Meeting 10:00 am

Oct 21st Legacy Dinner by invitation

Oct 28th Story Time 7:00 pm Lionel Youst

Nov 14th

Board Meeting 10:00 am

Dec 12th Board Meeting 10:00 am

No Story Time Nov & Dec

Museum closed January

Museum Hours Feb - Apr & Oct - Dec

Tues. through Sun. May 1 - Sep 30

Mon. through Sun. (7 days a week) Closed January

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Phone (541) 997-7884

E-mail - museum@winfinity.com www.SiuslawPioneerMuseum.com

Volunteers … make the museum possible.Volunteers … make the museum possible.Volunteers … make the museum possible.Volunteers … make the museum possible.

Some of the museum volunteers were asked why they volunteer and this is what they had to say…

“My affiliation with the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum began in 1999 when I was asked to be the treasurer. I held that position for five years. In the ensuing years, I have been assis-tant treasurer, docent, membership chairman, and general office helper. When Pearl Campbell was Librarian, she acquainted me with the library. I also purchase supplies as needed for the museum. It has been a pleasure to work for the museum and with the peo-ple associated with it. My favorite "hat" is being a docent. I love meeting people and showing them our "wares." We do get people from foreign countries, and that is indeed very interesting. Of course, we enjoy all of our visitors. We have been very fortunate to have the donations of artifacts for the museum. Our visitors remark on the number and variety of our displays. If you haven't been in to see us, please do.” ~ Virginia Carroll

“I enjoy very much the time I spend at the Museum, meeting and visiting with our visi-tors. You will meet not only the locals but people from all over the world. They enjoy looking at our displays, and I truly enjoy sharing the local history with them. We have a great museum, so let’s share it!” ~Fred Jensen, Curator

“Why do I volunteer... what better way to meet very interesting people from out of state and other countries, learn their customs, language and dress. Also do some research on a item in the museum, you will find out how it was made and used but more important the person will come alive that used it to help his family and neighbors, prosper and live. So come join us and live longer it is very rewarding. That’s why I volunteer.” ~Bob Richardson

“Del Phelps came to me one day and asked if I would help with the newsletter because the person who previously typed the newsletter was unable to continue. Sure I could… until they could find ‘someone else’. Well that was in the Fall of 2006 and here I am. I am glad to be part of such a great volunteer organization. Whether a docent, librarian, maintenance, there are many ways to be involved. Don’t wait until they find ‘someone else’… BE that ‘someone else’!” ~Dianna Kramer, Newsletter Editor

“Many guests ask "how long does it take to go through the museum?" I have been a do-cent a little over a year and a half. On the slow days I explore the exhibits and books and I keep finding new things about our pioneers and how it all got here. Fascinating stories of how people got here and built towns and businesses, or the story of how John Berg-man earned the Life Saving Medal of Honor. Our museum has captured so much of our local history. So I still don't how long it takes. And then there are our visitors. People come here from everywhere - from all over the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, Africa, and others. I met a descendant of a member of the Donner party and someone who as a little girl was there when they blew up the whale.” ~Peter Shoys, Docent

The Museum Needs You If you think you might are interested in spending a few hours assisting with museum

duties just call the museum at 997-7884 and we will set up a time to meet with you for a private tour and discussion of volunteer opportunities.

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum News 2

STORY TIME CONTINUES

Oct 28th - 7:00 pm

Lionel Youst Coos Bay Historian & Author

will be the final Story Time guest for 2011. This evening

will feature Lionel Youst, Coos Bay historian and au-thor of several books depict-

ing life along the Oregon Coast during the formative years. Please join us at the Museum. Admission is free

and refreshments will be served.

.If you or someone you know has stories to share about growing up in the area, or tidbits to share that helped

share our area into the won-derful place we love, please

call Shirley Hunt 541-991-0419, or e-mail shirley@oregonfast.net

GIFT SHOP NEWS

We have recently received a variety of books, maps and charts. We will also have a mixture of syrups, jams and

honey. We still have the hand towels and

scarves. We have a new shipment of the sock coin purses, some of which are Christmas patterns. Some of the totes are holiday pat-terns also. We have a vari-

ety of pot holders, mitts, hand knit dish cloths, and

hot pads.

Come see us -- you might find something you or a friend can

use.

RESEARCH LIBRARY REPORT By Adel O’Boyle

Well, Sunday, Sep 25th was Free Admittance Day at the museum.

We had 67 folks and sold about $100 of items from the Gift Shop. A few were from California and many newcomers who currently reside here. This FREE DAY started with the Smith-sonian Institute and has traveled to ALL of the 50 states, usu-

ally on the same day. Let’s see if we can do better in the years ahead. So many wonderful people reside in this town

and never have been to the museum.

We have a new printer in the library, also newly discovered photos, some taken 30 and 40 years ago.

Now that Summer has passed and all of the winter volunteers are back we are looking for more visitors and more volun-

teers. Please come to visit us again…soon. .

Maintenance of the museum is an ongoing task, as you read this the west side and the north end is being done by the Garrett Bros. They have pressure wash, scrapped off old paint installed new boards were needed, they will caulk all seams and then paint same, this will give the old building a new and fresh look.

Bob Richardson, maintenance

SIUSLAW PIONEER MUSEUMSIUSLAW PIONEER MUSEUMSIUSLAW PIONEER MUSEUMSIUSLAW PIONEER MUSEUM

LEGACY WALLLEGACY WALLLEGACY WALLLEGACY WALL

The museum invites you to join your friends on the wall and help pay off the debt incurred to bring this museum into the historic

Old Town District to reside in the charismatic old Florence School building built in 1905. You can have your family legacy recognized and join your friends with a pledge of $1,000.00 or

more payable over time.

Anyone may do this and we invite everyone!

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum News 3

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum (541) 997-7884

2nd & Maple Streets P.O. Box 2637

Florence, OR 97439

e-mail: museum@winfinity.com

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum Board of Trustees 2011

Board Officers

President: Del Phelps Vice President: Henry Hanf

Treasurer: Lonnie Iholts Secretary: Tina Shoys

Regular Trustees Virginia Carroll

Shirley Hunt Pete Shoys

Stu Johnston

Ex-Officio Trustees Jean Chapman Fred Jensen

Marteen Wick Robert Richardson

Dorie Miles Jeff Williams

Adele O’Boyle

Board Meetings are held

the 2nd Monday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the museum

meeting room, upstairs, 2nd & Maple Streets.

These meetings are open to all members.

The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum News is published quarterly by the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum Editor: Dianna Kramer dkramer@presys.com

News items may be submitted for the next issue by Dec 15, 2011

We reserve the right to edit or reject any article.

Legacy Fund Checks

Those that wish to pledge, or have already pledged, to the

“S.P.M. Legacy Fund”

for the purpose of “Paying down the

building debt”,

please make checks payable to:

“S.P.M. Legacy Fund Drive”

Mail check to: Siuslaw Pioneer

Museum PO Box 2637

Florence, OR 97439

ENDOWMENT FUND

An Endowment Fund in the Museum’s name has been

established with many financial gifts from our members.

Donors who wish to contribute to this

fund should make the check payable to:

“Western Lane Community Foundation”

and specify “Siuslaw Pioneer

Museum Endowment” on the check.

Mail check to: Siuslaw Pioneer Museum

P. O. BOX 2637 FLORENCE, OR 97439

Please keep in mind that checks speci-fied to the endowment are to be used as specified by the endowment maker

for special projects or the general endowment

held by the foundation.

Virginia Carroll

Our Board member Virginia Carroll, better known as “VC” in her e-mail sign off, is another outstanding and tireless worker for the betterment our museum. She works a regular Docent schedule and then fills in for others when they can’t come in. With a smile and a twinkle in her eye, she glides about the museum hither

and thither, checking things out, a dust swipe here and there, adjust a picture there, just a tad. After all it has to be just right. Her board member book is organized as well as any CEO and she can find anything in the wink of an eye. Then on top of all that she helps our treasurer, (who is a busy banker) do the mundane of our banking chores, by paying the regular monthly expenses electronically on the museum computer, making sure the mail is picked up and distributed to the proper people. Then in addition to the above she is always right is the middle of getting the coffee made and served, setting tables, putting up center pieces, serving on calling committees. She keeps our membership records up to date and prepares and sends out the billings, and helps fold newsletters every quarter. There is more that I have missed, I am sure. I and our entire board thank you Virginia, for your outstanding & continuing contribution to our museum!

Del Phelps, SPM Board President

Spotlight on Board Member

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum News 4

THE SIUSLAW INDIAN TRIBE

The Siuslaw were a gentle, intelligent and happy people who lived along the central Oregon coast, mainly around the Siuslaw River, although they did travel inland to the hills of the coast range during the summers. The tribe used cedar or spruce logs to build high prowed canoes, which were up to 20 feet long. They used these canoes for river, lake and bay travel. The chain of fresh water lakes, including Siltcoos and Tahkenitch, provided an inland highway to reach the coastal hills. The whole landscape of the area, except for the dunes along the beaches, was heavily timbered, which made land travel difficult and tended to somewhat isolate the tribe.

Since the climate of the area was quite mild, an ample supply of fish, plants, game and timber was always available. A seasonal rotation of hunting and gathering was the way of life for the Siuslaw. Their diet consisted of salmon, berries, elk, deer, roots, bulbs and shellfish. An occasional whale or seal washed up onto the beach would add to their meat supply, but they did not readily engage in much ocean fishing.

Clothing changed with the seasons. Summer wear tended to be minimal, but during the rainy, cooler winter weather, tanned hides in the form of buckskin shirts and leggings were donned by the men. They made water repellent capes of cat tails or shredded bark.

The women wore long dresses or skirts made of hides or woven plant fiber. Flat topped woven baskets served as hats. Moccasins were used for long trips. Ceremonial gear was used for special occasions. Dances, games and feasts were popular activities at various times of the year. Men and women were small by today’s standards—about 5’ to 5’6”. Hair was black and worn straight.

The number of villages ranged from 34-50, with winter villages situated near a regular source of water. During the summers in the hills, temporary camps were used. They built lodges and often joined two or more together. These homes were dug into the earth and could be up to 50 feet long and built of planks. They had an oval entrance with a gabled roof over a single ridge pole. Here racks stored dried food, baskets, tools and personal items. Their baskets were quite ornate, and a variety of hunting fishing and wood working tools were used. Mats would line the interior. They also had sweat houses, which they would dig into the hillsides.

Almost all of the political organization was at the village level, but alliances formed with neighboring tribes for trade and protection. Much of the local life was focused on obtaining wealth, which would determine social position within the tribe. Each village had a chief or leader who mediated disputes, imposed fines and made sure that everyone had enough to eat. Marriage and its financial obligations played an important role in stabilizing and integrating the society.

The Siuslaw Indian Reservation was established in 1855 and stretched from the Siltcoos River to the Siletz River—74 miles along the Oregon coast and 40 miles inland. However, in 1875/76, the tribe was offered a choice of moving to a reservation on the Siletz River or 160 acres of their own land, which became known as Indian Town and was established along the banks of the North Fork. Their reservation land was then opened up for settlement.

A big thank you to those who paid their dues this year! Membership dues are such an important revenue for operating expenses. Anyone paying a Life membership ($1,000) will automatically have a medallion on our Legacy Wall. It is also a tax write-off. ALL memberships are important. We still ask that those due in June pay only a half

year, so that all memberships are paid until December 31. Then all future dues will be due December 31st annually. Of course, if you pay dues now until the end of the year, the amount would be half of the full amount. Our operating expenses include, utilities, supplies, maintenance, insurance, dues, among other expenses. We would appreciate volunteers if you could spare four hours once a month, once a week or whatever time you could give. Being a part

of the museum is a pleasure. Again, thank you for being a member of this great organization. ME

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www.SiuslawPioneerMuseum.com Bob Sherrod, of All City Net came through our museum one day and was so moved by what he saw and the

spirit of the docents and volunteers he met that he decided that he would jump on the band wagon and provide web service for the museum. What you will see when you go to the web address above is just the beginning of

something wonderful for our museum. Thank You Bob Sherrod!

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum News 5

President’s Message Delbert Phelps, SPM President

Why do we, as a community, support our museum? There are many answers to that question de-pending on who you talk to. To a large number it is their belief in the preservation of our history of the Siuslaw region. To some it is their belief that having the museum located in Old town, it makes Old Town a more desirable place to come to draw in the customers. To others it is the belief that the museum plays an important role in connecting our local grade school children with our past. To those who have had roots here it means they can count on our research library to contain some of their family history. To many it is with pride that they can come and view their native artifacts on display. To government agencies it means a tool for research of spe-cific locations as to what existed there in the past. They are all right, the museum is supported by a multitude of rea-sons and since its move to the present location, it is becoming a focal point of the old town area and a destination point for those planning to come to the coast.

Our dedicated volunteers’ who keep the museum open, get a steady stream of favorable comments from those who visit and the most common is “this is the best museum on the coast”. Our board of directors, the docents in the gift shop and main building, the volunteers’ in the office and library and those who donate in various ways are the reason our museum is sound financially with regard to its operations. Our new Siuslaw river bridge display has been a hit, and our last Friday evening of the month “Story Time’s are well attended. The daily visitor count is holding pretty good considering the state of the economy.

So one would think that the museum is doing well, right? Well, It is the responsibility of myself and the board to look to the future and determine what could go wrong and try to fix it before it does. So, what do we see? We see two things of deep concern. The first concern is the aging of our volunteers. Bless their hearts for their dedication, but we can’t seem to stop the aging and health issues, and on they work regardless. The bottom line is we need to attract new volunteers! So, if you have a curiosity and interest, just drop in to the museum during open hours and ask to have your name added to the volunteer roster. I promise you will be contacted about working in an area of your choosing. Just a day a week will make a difference.

The second concern is of a monetary nature. We need to get the debt incurred by the museum to buy into our current location paid down sooner than later. I am hoping that our community recognizes the dedication and leap of faith that Siuslaw Bank, the Davidson/Crowell family and Oregon Pacific Banking Co. put fourth when they stepped up with the funds to make it possible for the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum to move to the Old Town location. That five year commitment is expiring at the end of this year. When one considers the $200,000 commitment made by the Western Lane Community foundation, the remainder for the museum to raise was $500,000. To date we have lowered that number down to about $200,000 needed in cash or pledges. The Museum has over the last four years held an invita-tion only, “Legacy Dinner” as its major fund raiser each year and put up in the lobby of the museum a beautiful “Legacy Wall” depicting Google Earth view of the Siuslaw Valley at sunset, and the river flowing through it to the sea. A program has been established that places donors of $1,000 and above on that wall with engraved medallions. Many who have given, see this as a wonderful way to have family recognized and help the museum pay down its mortgage debt. We are counting on more to do the same.

With that said, I think it is fitting that since the Legacy Wall design was spawned from a “Google Earth picture”, that the museum, for its keynote speaker at this year’s Legacy Dinner, bring in Steve Kilston. Why do I say that? Be-cause Steve was the promoter and principal designer of the 1-meter resolution IKONOS commercial Earth-imaging satellite, referred to in the New York Times as “one of the most significant developments in the history of the space age,” providing a major component of Google Earth technology. Steve Kilston holds a B.A., Astronomy, Harvard and a Ph.D., Astronomy, UCLA. I am sure that the attendees of the museum “Legacy dinner” this year will be in for a treat. In return maybe they will “Treat” the museum. Del Phelps SPM President Note: This article appeared in the Siuslaw News, “Guest View Point” on Wednesday September 28th and minor re-finements have been made in it, for print in this newsletter.

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum News 6

It is with extreme gratitude that we acknowledge our Sponsoring Businesses

Siuslaw News is another of our supporting members. Watch the news twice a week for articles on other activities that the museum may be

sponsoring.

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum News 7

Ada Grange #570

Burch’s Roofing, Inc.

Coastal Woman Vetrans

Davidson Industries

Florence Area Chamber Of Commerce

Florence Mini Storage, Inc.

Florence True Value

Goodman’s Floor Coverings

Hair, Etc.

Heceta Oddfellows Lodge #111

Honeyman Nursery and Landscaping

KCST Radio

Kitchen Klutter

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION : Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………... Street Address or PO Box Number: ………………………………………………………………... City: ………………………………………………………... State: ……………….Zip:………….. Make checks payable to: Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, and mail to: Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, P.O. Box 2637, Florence, OR 97439 Individual:…………………$15.00 Friend ………………….$50.00 Family………….. ………... $20.00 Supporting:…………...$100.00 Organization ………. …….$25.00 Patron:……………….. $150.00 Business:……………….…..$30.00 Benefactor:……………$500.00 Sponsoring Business ….…..$50.00 Lifetime:…………….$1,000.00 (with business card display)

It is with extreme gratitude that we acknowledge our Sponsoring Businesses

Thanks to all our members! Although we cannot list individual members,

we’re proud to list the businesses and civic groups that have joined the Museum.

Koning & Cooper

Ladies of The Elks

Merchants Of Old Town

Miles Oil Company

Pier Point Inn

Pro Lumber, Inc.

Prudential Pacific Properties

R & R King Logging

River House Inn

Sea Lion Caves

Silver Lining Boutique

Three River’s Casino

Tony’s Garage

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum News 8

P. O. BOX 2637 FLORENCE, OR 97439

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #58

Florence, Oregon

Published quarterly by the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum Association Inc., a non-profit corporation

The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum is now at 2nd and Maple Streets in Old Town, Florence. Call us at 997-7884

Your dues are due On this date.