Siskiyou County Museum, Yreka, CA

Siskiyou County Museum.
Photo by Thomas Eddy

This second visit to the Siskiyou County Museum's collection of older buildings was a treat.  Despite the fenced off entrance that makes the park appear closed, the museum docent encourages people to walk on in.  On this weekend, four of the buildings were actually open for viewing.  My previous experience was nothing but closed doors.

There are no living history actors, interpreters, or candy shops.  The building collection includes a church, one room schoolhouse, a few pioneer cabins, and a mine.  It could be a vibrant place, but the local population has limited resources and interest.  Still, the museum complex is worth a visit, as the museum itself has well interpreted exhibits.

Overfelt Gardens, San Jose, CA

Overfelt House and Tank House.  Photo by Thomas Eddy

The potential of place.  Overfelt House is set within the original estate formerly owned by Mildred Overfelt.  The only posted hours are on Saturdays, however even then the house is closed due to municipal budget cuts.  I have been fortunate to see the inside, which has a few interpretive signs, random furnishings from other old homes, and a scaled model of the park.  

This simple farmhouse was moved from its original site on the property, then rehabilitated in 2005.  The 33-acre site suffers from severe drought conditions and limited maintenance, but the "bones" are still there and ready for a major upgrade.  The site operates as a passive park by the City of San Jose, has ponds managed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and is partly in use as a Chinese Cultural Garden. 

Jenkins Estate, Beaverton, OR

Jenkins Estate.
Photo by Thomas Eddy

This estate looked right up my alley: well supported, active, and of course, historic.  The historic home and grounds have been repurposed as a municipal wedding event location and recreation park.  The apparent drawback is a full closure during a wedding event.  Surely, events and public access are compatible within reason, aren't they?

The Jenkins Estate is operated by the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 68-acre site includes the 7 bedroom hunting lodge in the style of familiar to British royals.

Tualatin Historical Society, Tualatin, OR

Tualatin Historical Society.
Photo by Thomas Eddy

The weekend I was in the Willamette River Valley, I skipped the annual Tualatin Crawfish Festival to visit the nearby Tualatin Historical Society.  The only car in the parking lot was my rental.  Once again, on a Saturday and no one is home and posted hours on their website are for weekdays only.  It feels like a missed opportunity with all the tourists in town for the local festival.

Their facility, a 1923 Craftsman-style church, was offered to the society in 2003...providing they can moved it to another site.  Through local support and donations, the society was able to move the church to the current location in 2005.

Oswego Heritage Society, Lake Oswego, OR

Oswego Heritage House.
Photo by Thomas Eddy

A free weekend in Portland gave me an opportunity to wander across the countryside and see some local sites.  I traveled through the Willamette River Valley, where vineyards have replaced orchards and ranch lands.  Lake Oswego was one of my first stops, where I found this museum operated by the Oswego Heritage Council...closed on a Saturday.  I should have looked at the website first, where the listed hours are from Monday through Friday.  No weekend tourists?

A plaque mounted in front of the house states that this Colonial Revival was constructed in 1920 by developer Paul C. Murphy.  It was not intended to be a house at all, since Murphy built it as his office.  The plaque continues to explain that the building would eventually be sold to Mr. William H. Cane would would make it his home.