OREGON MILITARY MUSEUM NEWSLETTER, WINTER 2024

Director’s Note

As I type this quarter’s Director’s Note, we are in the middle of our first installation (of three) in preparation for next year’s grand opening. Seeing this progress has made me think about where we were when I started in 2021. With the year’s end just around the corner, it is the perfect moment to celebrate our successes and appreciate how far we have come.

Over the last four years, OMM personnel have worked diligently to determine what an open museum could look like. We have planned carefully, learned through trial and error, and sometimes improvised along the way. We have grown staff from one to three, installed building-wide Wi-Fi, created interpretation for eight exhibit spaces, developed a variety of public programming (including some serials), unpacked the majority of the Thomas E. Withycombe Library, and outlined a vision for our future. This could not have been done without the support of the Oregon Military Department, our patrons (you!), and most importantly, our volunteers.

The Volunteer Corps has grown in so many ways over the last three years, but we are still in great need of additional volunteers. To pique some interest, this quarter’s newsletter highlights our volunteer program with first person essays and an overview of how our Visitor Services team have honed their skills. And while we will not have a traditional open Park season in 2025, we have planned a schedule to maintain public and community engagement while offering opportunities for volunteer training and practice ahead of our full opening.

And that leads me to our latest opening update. Since I am admittedly a little superstitious and now trigger shy, I will leave you with one nugget – the installation of the Hall of Valor will be complete by the time you read this! Let’s relish in this success for a moment! And while I remain button-lipped for now, trust me, our next newsletter will not disappoint. We have a lot to unveil in 2025.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a very special New Year! Thank you for your continued support – it has truly meant the world to us.

Kathleen Sligar

OMM Welcomes Thousands in 2024

Over the last year, thousands of visitors and guests made their way to the Oregon Military Museum. They toured our Historic Park and in-progress exhibit galleries and took part in any number of free events and outreach programs provided by OMM. During our Historic Park open season (May-October), folks came out for Today’s Military Tech & Transport, Kids Summer Fun Bash, Union Soldiers & The Civil War, Tank Day, and Living History Day. We also offered monthly gallery tours as well as our first author talk and veterans’ meetup – both of which we plan to have more of in the future. Throughout the year, we provided free group tours for senior living residents, veterans groups, military and heritage organizations, and school field trips. And in supporting military and heritage organizations, we hosted groups such as the Society of American Military Engineers, Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs, and the Oregon National Guard’s State Partnership Program, as well as the ABC Crafts Competition which alone brought in nearly 900 high school students.

2024 was indeed a busy year at the Museum. We were honored to welcome nearly 4,000 visitors and guests, more than doubling the number of people we saw in 2022. This year, with the growth in public events and programs, we had an increase in both new and returning patrons. We also saw steady growth in the percentage of folks under 18 and we expect that number will rise significantly next academic year. And with the completion of the galleries and the expansion of public events, we are hopeful that the number of those over 18 will also rise and return in 2025.

Next year, we are committed to continuing to expand and enrich our programming, from tailored activities for student groups to specialized series for our unique and varied visitors. Expect additions to our calendar of free public events, from a day focused on World War II (reach out if you are a WWII reenactor or living historian) to a day of artmaking amongst artwork hanging in the gallery. As 2025 progresses, we’ll have events and programs each month to bring you (and your friends, family, and kids) back, including special events leading up to our grand opening. You’re not going to want to miss what we have planned for you!

Readying for Opening – From the Volunteers’ Perspective

Paul Mills, Visitor Services volunteer since 2023.

When I think of what I’ve learned while volunteering here, the obvious thing that comes to mind is that I really like talking to people about the exhibits and displays. Our visitors have a multitude of different interests, from just wanting to see a tank up close to wanting to have an in-depth discussion about a specific time period or object. Seeing firsthand our visitors range from young children to people in their 90s, I’ve had to learn how to tailor my part of the discussion to their understanding and view. When we fully open next year, I look forward to meeting even more people with different interests and personal experiences, as I have learned much from our visitors already. From a child who looks on an artifact with glee and awe to a veteran who looks at the same item and recounts a memory with a tear in his eye, all these experiences have an impact and make it worthwhile to be a volunteer here at the museum. I look forward to meeting more people who have an interest in the military and the connections to Oregon and Oregonians in the past, present, and into the future.

Patrick Nolen, Visitor Services and Library & Collections volunteer since 2024.

I have learned so many great things while volunteering at the museum – I think I learn something new each shift. I volunteer in the gallery and the park, and sometimes in the museum’s archives. Each shift in the gallery or park begins with a brief discussion, and we have another at the end where we discuss things we need to grow on or that went well for us as a group. My favorite place to volunteer is in the barn. We have a barn that dates back over 100 years. It has a history of its own, with many of the horses’ names still above the stalls. From Thomas to Dollie, it’s kind of like the history is still there. The barn also has many U.S. and Japanese artillery pieces, including one of the three M1841 6-pounder smooth bore cannons first issued to the Portland Light Battery in the 1860s. Other pieces include the WWII Type 97 Japanese mortar that is fairly rare, and our U.S. 37mm Anti-Tank Gun M3. Honestly though, whether working in the barn, explaining our M274 Mechanical Mule in the gallery, or discovering a new document in our archives that gives important information for a project, I find every shift at the museum an exciting day.

Lin Stott, Restoration Shop volunteer since the 2010s and in 2024, also became part of the Visitor Services volunteer cohort.

Since becoming a visitor services volunteer, I have learned a lot about what we as docents need to know! Visitors come in and want to know about Oregon’s military history. As volunteers, we’ve learned a lot about how that history can be presented to the public and how it’s important in helping to generate their interest in what we have and what role Oregon military units and our home-state soldiers had during conflicts. I have met many of these same WWII and Korean War veterans who know quite a bit about what we have on display. When we fully open, I look forward to having a wider range of knowledge of Oregon’s military history, of which I personally am a part of. I am excited to help open up our museum and help teach the people who come here, and to learn from some of them about what connection they or their ancestors may have to Oregon’s history in times of wars. I look forward to seeing our museum finally completed! And to be a part of the group who will help to make it a success!

In the last year, Visitor Services volunteers (those engaging with museum visitors) have provided over 30 guided tours in the exhibit galleries, supported over 20 hours of open gallery time as gallery attendants, assisted with half a dozen field trip activities, acted as Historic Park docents for over 40 days out of the year, and provided countless hours serving as museum ambassadors. And to be ready for opening, individuals like you are given tailored training and support to become a successful Visitor Services volunteer.

As part of Visitor Services onboarding and training, new volunteers receive an info packet covering the vehicles and artillery pieces currently on the gallery floor, which our seasoned volunteers helped to develop earlier this year. Volunteers continue to add on to and utilize the packet to build their own tour rhythm and personality. An updated packet will include the exhibits’ interpretive sign content, filled with stories, events, and people that volunteers will be able to draw from once the main gallery is fully open. As part of training, volunteers guide each other in mock tours to get comfortable with the material and then, and still often, tag team with fellow volunteers while touring visitors. Gallery attendants are also stationed at different points in the gallery to gain familiarity with the collection and experience in visitor engagement. After larger group tours and open gallery events, we have an “after action report” discussion to talk through what worked, any issues that arose, and what tweaks can be made. These have proved to be a great way for new and seasoned Visitor Services volunteers to build rapport, strengthen their skills, and continue training.

As we prepare for the full reopening of the Museum in 2025, our need for Visitor Services volunteers will grow six-fold. To support visitors as they move through the galleries at their own pace or as part of a guided tour, Visitor Services volunteers will be needed in the galleries and reception while open to the public Wednesday–Saturday, as well as to assist with special events, tours, and field trips. Whether weekly, monthly, or only for part of the calendar year, please consider volunteering at OMM. Find out how to become part of our growing Volunteer Corps at oregonmilitarymuseum.org/volunteer.

A Trio of Quarterlies – New Program Series in 2025

In 2025, we are rolling out a trio of quarterly meetups as we lead up to the opening of the completed exhibit galleries. After having our first Veterans Morning Meetup in November, we will be continuing the gathering in the new year with veterans of all ages and branches welcome. For those interested in learning and discussing military history and related subjects, the BUFF Circle is for you. And for those who draw, write, or meditate, Extended ARM Gallery Hours might be just your thing once we fully reopen. Together, this trio of quarterlies will together, provide one series event each month throughout the year. Read on for an introduction to each but keep an eye out for future announcements with calendar details.

Veterans Morning Meetup

Local veterans, veteran groups, and veteran supporters are welcome for a morning of stories, meetups, and introductions while enjoying a morning spread of coffee, tea, and breakfast bites. Local veterans and veteran supporters kick off the meetup and all are welcome to share their own stories, listen, or reminisce while maybe seeing old friends or making new ones. Veterans and active military service members of all generations and branches are welcome.

The BUFF Circle – Bringing Unabashed Fervor & Fascination

Calling all military buffs, history buffs, and tech buffs to be part of the BUFF Circle! OMM invites all buffs (from novice to expert) to bring your unabashed fervor and fascination and join the circle to learn, share, and discuss topics ranging from military and technology to history and culture. Join us in the Hall of Valor (just off the Museum’s lobby) to enjoy light refreshments along with good conversation. All are welcome to bring materials related to the day’s discussion topics, as well as ideas for future circles.

Extended ARM Gallery Hours – Artfulness, Reflection, and Mindfulness

The exhibit gallery will be open for visitors to find a quiet space to draw, write, or otherwise create with Artfulness, Reflection, and Mindfulness (ARM) amongst the historic objects and artwork on display. With extended arms, OMM also welcomes those wanting to participate in quiet reflection and meditation during this time. Bring a sit pillow, chair, or blanket to anchor yourself in the gallery, along with tools and supplies that respect the people and objects around you, including earbuds or headphone to block or enjoy sound.

Building Transformations Have Begun

Earlier this December, our exhibit fabrication firm, Color-AD Inc., began the much-awaited installation of the Hall of Valor’s display highlighting Oregon’s Medal of Honor recipients, the Weapons Gallery’s display cases, and the lobby’s custom reception desk and wayfinding.

In preparation for installation, painting was completed in the Hall of Valor and Weapons Gallery. The fresh, updated look in these spaces helps highlight the artifacts and displays while creating a more inviting and polished environment for visitors. Additionally, electrical and data upgrades were completed to ensure a more reliable and efficient infrastructure to support our exhibits and installations for years to come. And as part of a larger wayfinding and signage project, we are also pleased to announce the addition of a new AED (Automated External Defibrillator) sign in the lobby, enhancing safety measures for visitors and staff alike.

Our HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system continues to provide ongoing challenges. We are working with our contractors and designers to ensure that the required upgrades will improve climate control throughout the Museum without delaying our opening schedule. Once completed, the new system will enhance visitor comfort and support the long-term preservation of our collections.

These improvements reflect our commitment to enhancing the visitor experience, ensuring the safety and functionality of our building, and preparing for future exhibits and displays – all while safeguarding our collections. Stay tuned for more updates as these and other projects progress.

Recent & Upcoming Additions to the Honor Brick Garden

The Honor Brick Garden, placed near the Museum’s main entrance, honors veterans, active service members, and supporters of the Oregon Military Museum. For more information about purchasing an Honor Brick or for other ways to financially support the Museum, visit http://oregonmilitarymuseumproject.org/bricks-of-honor. The newest additions to the Garden include:

ALEX J JOHNSON
CAPT USMC 2009 – 2015
AFGHANISTAN
–
EDDIE H JOHNSON
SP4 ARMY 1968-1970
VIETNAM
–
JEFFERY JOHNSON
SGT USAF
1984 – 1991
–
ROBERT E JOHNSON
SSGT USAF
1966 – 1969
–
LISA LUCAS
–
1LT DAVEN PHELPS
US ARMY 1968 – 1971
46TH SFCA THAILAND
–
MICHAEL R TOBIAS
CPT ARMY 2000- 2007
AFGHANISTAN
–
RICHARD I TOBIAS
SGT ARMY 1961 – 1967
PARA 1942 – 2023
–
LT COL CHARLES ZERZAN