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(Mail Tribune / Jim Craven) Cutting into history End of county help will hurt Southern Oregon's smaller historical societies By Damian Mann Mail Tribune In an unassuming building in Phoenix, the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society and Library has quietly helped thousands of Jackson County residents discover their roots. Like 14 other tiny organizations that have carefully preserved the county's rich past, the future of the society is uncertain as it faces looming budget cuts. "We have to keep trying, and going forward keep that positive energy out there — but it's tough," said Charleen Brown, president, volunteer librarian and "gopher" for the society. The society will lose $12,947 from the county, which paid for a part-time person to manage and organize the operation. All 15 members of the Jackson County History Museums Association will lose a total of $740,772 next fiscal year, their last installment from Jackson County. Advertisement Most of the money — $565,772 — went to the Southern Oregon Historical Society, leaving $175,000 for the 14 other independently operated museums, historical buildings, the Southern Oregon Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and Museum and the McKee Bridge. All the historical societies in the county hope to create a heritage association, which would ask voters in 2008 to create a permanent levy that would add six to eight cents per thousand of assessed valuation, raising $700,000 to $1 million annually. Most of the historical societies rely heavily on volunteers, donations, memberships and grants as well as the county money. Jackson County is cutting off the funds because it is losing $23 million in federal money as part of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Even if Congress passes a one-year extension, the county has told the historical societies they won't receive any additional funds. Brown, who lives in Butte Falls, said it is mandatory for any organization to have a paid staff member, attending to all the little details that keep an office running efficiently. "Volunteers are wonderful, but they can say, 'I don't want to come this week," said Brown. "An organization that has one person in charge of the facility is going to be run more professionally than if you divide it into little segments." The society has been planning for the loss of county money, signing a lease to purchase its building at 95 Houston Road in 2001. A fund-raising effort raised $110,000, and People's Bank loaned the rest of the money for a 10-year mortgage. Brown said the mortgage was paid off after only three years last December. Just after taking ownership, the pipes broke during the winter freeze. Despite that little setback, Brown said the building is sound and has a new roof. She said she wants the public to understand that her organization, like others throughout the county, is largely self-reliant, aided by volunteers, donations and membership fees. Fund-raising activities generate $17,000 annually for the organization. "We want people to know we're going to stay open," said Brown. Jerry Hellinga, treasurer of the railway society, said, "Without the county funding, and once our reserves stop, we will end our restoration work." Hellinga said the society will still maintain its public program and small museum. Tony Johnson, newsletter editor and volunter for the railway society, said, "We knew it was coming. It's not a big surprise." He said he's hopeful there's enough in the budget to finish restoration on a locomotive, build a concession stand and restore a "flanger," a vehicle that clears snow between rails. But he's not sure where the money will come to restore the old Woodville Depot that was formerly located in Rogue River. Any major restoration efforts going forward will require grants and donations, he said. The society doesn't have any paid employees. "We're all volunteer," said Johnson. Jan Wright, director of the Talent Historical Society, said her organization is looking forward to the day when it moves into the old library in Talent. She also works at the Southern Oregon Historical Society, which is also reducing its staff from 22 to 11. She is losing her job at SOHS and was worried that she would also lose her part-time job at the Talent society. Ralph Hunkins, treasurer of the Talent society, said it would be difficult losing Wright. "She's one of the best in the area as far as history goes," he said. As a result, the society board decided that it would continue to employ Wright, dipping into a $30,000 reserve to pay her salary for a year and a half. "We're going to keep Jan as long as we can," he said. Hunkins said the society had received $13,917 from the county this year. The remainder of its $20,000 budget was made up of $1,000 in membership fees, $500 in donations, $500 from sales in its shop and the rest from reserves. Hunkins said other historical societies have focused on building restoration or their collections, but the main focus for the Talent society has been research. "We're one of the last museums to have a paid director," he said. The society, which plans to increase memberships, donations and sales in the future, expects to move into the old Talent library in a few months, he said. Hunkins and Wright said their organization and others in Jackson County share a common bond, even though they operate independently. "Every little community has their own little piece of history," said Wright. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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