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Click Here 49 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, February 18, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 31, 2004 Visitors check out the �Celebrating Flight� exhibit inside the History Center on Friday. The 30,000-square-foot History Center houses a research library, museum, exhibits and work space for maintaining collections. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Historical society to sell downtown History Center Executive director says decision will ensure future presence; move to Carnegie Library discussed By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Selling its downtown Medford headquarters building will help the Southern Oregon Historical Society ensure the future of local history. The historical society announced Friday that the History Center is for sale at a listed price of $2.1 million. The former JC Penney building, at 106 N. Central Ave., houses the society’s research library, a museum, exhibits and work space for maintaining collections. The property is listed with Coldwell Banker Commercial Pro West Real Estate in Medford. The society plans to put proceeds from the center’s sale into a permanent endowment that would fund future operating costs with interest payments, said John Enders, the historical society’s executive director. "It’s the visionary thing to do," Enders said. The society purchased the 1948 art moderne building for $275,000 from JC Penney Co. in 1987 after the department store moved to the Rogue Valley Mall. JC Penney donated the lot, valued at $225,000. Renovations cost $670,000, according to newspaper reports. Advertisement "The market has appreciated, the stock market is back up. I don’t think property is ever a bad investment," said Judi Drais, president of the society’s board of trustees. Opened to the public in 1990, the 30,000-square-foot History Center was acquired during a period of expansion for the historical society, Enders said. Its sale is part of an overall restructuring within the society following recent staff and budget cuts. "It’s beyond our means," Enders said. "It’s much larger than we need or want." The historical society has proposed moving to the Carnegie Library on West Main Street once that space is vacated this year. Jackson County’s central library headquarters will occupy a new 80,000-square foot building under construction on Central Avenue between Ninth and 10th streets. The 15,000-square-foot Carnegie Library is more than adequate for the historical society, Enders said. The building’s historical significance and location would be the perfect site for a new cultural center, including the historical society and space available for community use, Enders said. The city of Medford has made no decision on the Carnegie Library’s future. If the historical society’s plan is approved, the organization likely would enter into a long-term agreement to lease the old library from the city, Enders said. In addition to the History Center, the society owns one other property outright. The Hanley family bequeathed their 37-acre Central Point farm — dating from 1857 — to the historical society in 1986. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times