Post by Okwes on Jul 7, 2007 10:57:50 GMT -5
Linn museum readies exhibit
By Alex Paul
Albany Democrat-Herald
BROWNSVILLE — Native American artifacts — some dating back thousands of years — will soon be on display at the Linn County Historical Museum. They come from a donation of nearly 2,000 items by a family from Harrisburg. A grant from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund will go toward creating a display space.
Charles and Patricia Harkins donated the items, including two thick books with details and photos of virtually every item, as well as historical notes about the Calapooia, Great Basin and Plains Indians. The majority of items are from the Calapooia. Many were collected from 1954 until 1972.
“Chuck’s parents collected Indian artifacts for many years, that’s how we got started,” Pat Harkins said. “The artifacts are so nice, they are beautiful. It was our hobby for many years. We used to go out hunting them every chance we had. It was a lot of fun.”
Harkins said she and her husband wanted to keep the collection together. They have enjoyed visiting the Linn County Historical Museum for many years and respect its quality displays.
“This is a valuable collection in terms of dollars and cents, but it’s real value is the history of what’s here,” said Gary Timms, museum coordinator. “It’s incredible.”
The collection includes arrowheads, cutting and scraping tools made from obsidian, digging tools made from deer and antler horns, a whale bone bowl and much more. It took 12 boxes to hold it all.
The museum, which is part of the Linn County Parks system, has had a Native American display area with approximately 100 items for about 10 years. The $2,700 Spirit Mountain grant will be used to renovate a 100-square-foot area and purchase display cases that will complement the artifacts.
“We get donations all the time, but this is a really big one,” said staff member Chenoweth Robertson, who applied for the grant for the Linn County Museum Friends.
Jim Johnson of Lebanon is assisting the museum staff in preparing the collection and developing the new display area.
Portions of the old display will be utilized in the new one, Timms said. Items include baskets woven by Indian Lize, the last of the Calapooias to live in the Brownsville area. “We are very lucky to have these baskets,” Timms said.
Timms and Robertson hope to have the display completed within two months. Representatives from Spirit Mountain presented a check to the museum on Feb. 26.
IF YOU GO
The Linn County Historical Museum, 101 Park Avenue, is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call (541) 466-3390 or visit www.co.linn.or.us/museum.
Alex Paul can be reached at alex.paul@lee.net or 812-6076.
By Alex Paul
Albany Democrat-Herald
BROWNSVILLE — Native American artifacts — some dating back thousands of years — will soon be on display at the Linn County Historical Museum. They come from a donation of nearly 2,000 items by a family from Harrisburg. A grant from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund will go toward creating a display space.
Charles and Patricia Harkins donated the items, including two thick books with details and photos of virtually every item, as well as historical notes about the Calapooia, Great Basin and Plains Indians. The majority of items are from the Calapooia. Many were collected from 1954 until 1972.
“Chuck’s parents collected Indian artifacts for many years, that’s how we got started,” Pat Harkins said. “The artifacts are so nice, they are beautiful. It was our hobby for many years. We used to go out hunting them every chance we had. It was a lot of fun.”
Harkins said she and her husband wanted to keep the collection together. They have enjoyed visiting the Linn County Historical Museum for many years and respect its quality displays.
“This is a valuable collection in terms of dollars and cents, but it’s real value is the history of what’s here,” said Gary Timms, museum coordinator. “It’s incredible.”
The collection includes arrowheads, cutting and scraping tools made from obsidian, digging tools made from deer and antler horns, a whale bone bowl and much more. It took 12 boxes to hold it all.
The museum, which is part of the Linn County Parks system, has had a Native American display area with approximately 100 items for about 10 years. The $2,700 Spirit Mountain grant will be used to renovate a 100-square-foot area and purchase display cases that will complement the artifacts.
“We get donations all the time, but this is a really big one,” said staff member Chenoweth Robertson, who applied for the grant for the Linn County Museum Friends.
Jim Johnson of Lebanon is assisting the museum staff in preparing the collection and developing the new display area.
Portions of the old display will be utilized in the new one, Timms said. Items include baskets woven by Indian Lize, the last of the Calapooias to live in the Brownsville area. “We are very lucky to have these baskets,” Timms said.
Timms and Robertson hope to have the display completed within two months. Representatives from Spirit Mountain presented a check to the museum on Feb. 26.
IF YOU GO
The Linn County Historical Museum, 101 Park Avenue, is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call (541) 466-3390 or visit www.co.linn.or.us/museum.
Alex Paul can be reached at alex.paul@lee.net or 812-6076.