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CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 24, 2003 John Enders, executive director of the Southern Oregon Historical Society, stands amid some of the many artifacts of history in storage at a building in White City. Proposed cuts in the society�s funding could force closure of several of its building. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Will the doors close on history? By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune An organization dedicated to preserving the memories and artifacts of Jackson County for more than a half-century now struggles to avoid being relegated to the dustbin of history. The Southern Oregon Historical Society, which incorporated as a nonprofit in 1949, has collected, displayed and maintained more than 80,000 artifacts, 750,000 photographs and almost a dozen historic buildings in the Jackson County area. "We’ve had artifacts that represent every trade we’ve had in the valley," said exhibit curator Matt Watson. "We’ve got old milling equipment and orchard tools." But with ongoing county funding problems, the society finds itself at a crossroads where it will have to raise more money or start closing its facilities to the public. If Jackson County follows through with a proposal announced Tuesday to lop off $250,000 from the society’s budget in the next fiscal year, society Executive Director John Enders fears he might have to close the doors of the Jacksonville Museum, the C.C. Beekman House and the C.C. Beekman Bank. "This will detract from the tourist industry," he said. "It will be terribly detrimental to the economy of the county and Jacksonville." With the possible loss of another $500,000 the following two years, the society could end up closing the doors to all its public facilities. "It will turn us into a building caretaker and that is about it," he said. Enders, who joined the historical society in September, plans to mount a membership drive, create more events, possibly raise fees and begin charging organizations that had previously received free services from the society. The society also plans to develop partnerships with businesses and other organizations to broaden its base of support. Still, with the economy in a slump and philanthropic contributions limited, Enders said it will be a difficult task to develop enough revenues to make up for the county’s proposed cutbacks. Jackson County and the historical society are in an ongoing legal dispute over funding, which has declined in the past few years. In 1949, county voters approved spending 25 cents on every $1,000 of assessed valuation toward the society. But county officials said this levy was nullified by Measure 50, a 1997 property tax initiative that required the consolidation of previous levies. "That money was pledged by the citizens of Jackson County," argued Sam Whitford, president of the historical society foundation. Without the funding, he said, "We may not be able to keep our doors open. The future is very bleak." Enders, with an extensive background in journalism, readily admits he’s not much of a "museum person." But that was the point when he was hired, he said. "The board of directors decided that for too long the historical society has been functioning behind the scenes, and there isn’t very much public awareness of who we are and what we do and why," he said. "My direction is to change that." He said there are plenty of experts at the library who are skilled at archiving and taking care of museums. "I don’t have to know everything," he said. "It’s my job to make sure we are around for another 50 years." With his family roots in Jackson County, Enders said he also has expertise in the local budget process and how the political system works. The historical society, which had a budget of $2 million in 1998, finds itself with a budget of about $1.46 million today. Enders said there were more than 50 full-time employees five years ago, but today he has 19 full-time and 12 to 15 part-time and seasonal workers. No plans are in the works, he said, to sell off buildings — many of which are owned by the county — because of the budget problems. Still, without more funding, Enders said there will be only one thing left to do. "On a practical basis, we cut, we cut and we cut more," he said. SOHS properties The Southern Oregon Historical Society is the caretaker of various museums throughout Jackson County. Southern Oregon History Center in Medford Research Library in Medford Jacksonville Museum of Southern Oregon History Children’s Museum in Jacksonville C.C. Beekman House in Jacksonville C.C. Beekman Bank in Jacksonville U.S. Hotel in Jacksonville History Store and Third Street Artisans’ Studio in Jacksonville Catholic Rectory in Jacksonville Hanley Farm in Central Point Artifact storage warehouse in White City Prized possessions A sampling of some of the thousands of artifacts related to Southern Oregon history in the SOHS collection Photographs and paintings by Peter Britt Paintings by Dorland Robinson Antique furnishings Phonographs Buggies Old washing machines Saddles Gas pumps Pocket watches (including one owned by Peter Britt) Antique chain saws Books and manuscripts Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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